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  3. Zap editor

Different field types in Zaps

Updated

When you’re setting up your Zap, each step includes fields where you can enter data. In these fields, you can:

The field type determines what values you can enter in a field. The field types available in a step will vary.

actionEdit icon Example

When you set up a Delay action:

  • The Time Delayed For (value) field is an input box that is a number field type. You can enter or map any number value to this field.
  • The Time Delayed For (unit) field uses a dropdown menu. You must select an option from the list or enter a custom value.
miscEye icon Note

Some apps:

  • Have additional restrictions for what kind of info can be entered in a particular field type.
  • Allow you to enter special formatting to output design elements like bold text, bullet points, and code blocks.

Explore the Zapier Community to learn more about app-specific field types.

Date/time fields

A date/time field is a field where you can only input a date and/or time. It is represented by a calendar and clock icon.

Date time field showing calendar and clock icon

Using timezones in date/time fields

If you have trouble using date/time, try including a timezone in the field.

Supported date/time formats 

Zapier tries to interpret any date or time you provide. For example, all of the following date formats are supported:

  • tomorrow at noon
  • next Friday at 7PM (Friday of the next week, not the current week)
  • 2/13/2020 8PM EST
  • 2020-10-26T16:56 (standard ISO format)
  • 1393462573 (a UNIX timestamp)
miscEye icon Note

You can adjust date/time values in Zaps by adding or subtracting time from the value within the field.

Dictionary fields

Dictionary fields allow you to enter key/value sets. They don’t have an icon.

They consist of two columns:

  • The left column is where you enter the name for the value set.
  • The right column is where you enter the value for the value set.

After you enter a value set, click the:

  • Plus sign + below the last value set to add another blank value set.
  • X next to a value set to remove it.
Dictionary fields with multiple key/value sets

File fields

File fields in Zapier refer to the actual file object and have a file icon that looks like a page.

File field

To send a file in a Zap, you need to use a file object or certain types of URL links. The file field acts differently depending on what data is mapped to it:

  • Text: Zapier will turn text into a .txt file and that file will be uploaded to the app.
  • URL: if you enter a URL, Zapier will try to load the data available at that address and upload it as a file.
  • File: if a file is mapped from the trigger or another action, Zapier will upload it
Field field with mapped file object showing 1(Exists but not shown)'
ratingStar icon Tip

If you have multiple file objects or URLs, you can separate them with a comma and a space to send them all at once. This will compress them into a single .ZIP file for uploading.

miscEye icon Note

If a previous step has a file object, it will have "(Exists but not shown)" for the sample value.

Line item fields

Line items are subsets of individual items. They don’t have an icon but are located in a separate box with all related fields.

Line item fields

Learn more about creating line items and using line items in Zaps.

List fields

List fields allow you to enter or select multiple options. They don’t have an icon.

Each time you enter a value in a list field, another blank list field will appear below it. 

  • Click the X to the right of a list field to remove it.
  • Hover over a list field. A grid of 6 dots will appear to the left of the list field. Click, hold, and drag the grid to rearrange the order of your list fields.
List fields showing grid to rearrange lines

Number/decimal fields

You must enter numbers into both number and decimal fields.

  • Number fields only accept whole number values. You can’t enter decimal values in number fields. 
    • They have an icon showing the numbers 1, 2, 3.
      Number field
    • They’re often used in Zapier along with a dropdown field to select ID numbers for users, projects, and other internal data from apps, but can also be used for regular numbers.
  • Decimal fields allow you to enter any numeric value, including decimal values like 1.5.
    • They have an icon showing the number 1.0.
      Decimal field
    • Decimals must be separated from the integer with a period ..
Number field Decimal field

Password fields

Password fields are the same as string fields, but the value you enter is hidden from view. Some apps use password fields for sensitive data. They don’t have an icon.

String/text fields

These are the default fields and don’t have icons. They are general fields that allow you to enter a variety of values.

  • String fields consist of a single input line for values like names and email addresses. 
  • Text fields consist of larger input boxes that allow you to enter more info, like email messages and notes.
String and text fields

True/false (boolean) fields

Boolean fields only have two values: "true" and "false". Depending on the app, these values may be different, such as "0" for false, or "1" for true. They are represented by an icon with two circles, the left one shaded and the right one blank.

Boolean fields

Boolean fields are often case-sensitive. For example, if an app expects "TRUE", it won't recognize "true" as a valid option.

True/false field
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