Test Zap steps

When you create a Zap, you should test each step, including your trigger and all action steps. When you test a step:

  • Zapier will create a test record in the Zap. 
  • You can ensure the step is set up correctly by reviewing the data in your test record:
    • Within the editor.
    • Within the app you used in that step.
  • You can edit the values in the test record.
  • You can send the data from your test record to any subsequent step by mapping fields.

You can test both trigger and action steps one-by-one. You can also test all un-tested steps at once in the Status section of the left sidebar. Learn more about setting up your trigger and action.

actionEdit icon Example

If your trigger is a new email in Gmail, Zapier will pull in a recent email you've received to use as a trigger test record. This email can then be used to set up an action step later in the Zap, such as to customize a Slack message with test data from the email.

Test triggers Test actions Test in Status section

Test triggers

In your trigger step:

  1. Select the Test tab.
  2. Click Test trigger. Zapier will retrieve data from your trigger app and display it as a test record.
    • Some apps will only return generic sample test records rather than real data from your app account.
  3. Select a test record. A modal will open and display the test record's data for your review.
  4. (Optional) You can load newer data at any time by clicking Find new records
  5. Click Continue with selected record.

Learn how to troubleshoot your trigger if your trigger test fails or if Zapier cannot find a trigger event.

Selected trigger test record displaying its data

Limitations

  • Your steps will display a warning icon until you finish their setup and testing.
    • You must test your trigger step and all Filter and Paths steps. The Publish button will be disabled until you successfully test those steps.
    • You can skip testing in any other action step.
    • You can review all untested steps in the Status section of the left sidebar.
  • If you edit fields in your app, when you load a new trigger test record, the new field will not automatically update in your existing test records.
    • For example, if you change a field from “Last Name” to “Surname” in your trigger app, you must load a new trigger test record and replace the fields in subsequent action steps.
  • When you edit a step in your Zap:
    • If you change a required field, the step test is reset. You should re-test the step to ensure there are no errors.
    • If you change an optional field, the step test result is retained. You do not need to re-test the step, but you can if you want to test the changed field.
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