Use AI by Zapier to analyze and return data

AI by Zapier is a built-in tool that lets you create your own action in a Zap, powered by popular AI  models. You can connect your own account from one of the available providers or use a built-in connection.

AI by Zapier's Analyze and Return Data action event lets you extract data, analyze information, generate content by either:

• Using the prompt assistant to create a prompt.
• Selecting a template for common tasks.
• Copying an existing prompt.

Tip

You can also use AI by Zapier to extract data from URLs.

Available on plans:

Free

Professional

Team

Enterprise

Beta

This feature is in open beta release. It’s available for use but still in active development and may change.

Overview

There are three main fields:

• Prompt: describe what you want the action to do.
• Input fields: fields that provide additional context to your prompt.
  • You can enter a static value or map a field from a previous step.
• Output fields: fields that the action should create.
  • You can map output fields to subsequent steps in your Zap.
  • Output fields help structure the result of your AI by Zapier step.

Supported AI providers:

• OpenAI
• Anthropic
• Google Gemini
• Azure OpenAI

1. Add an AI by Zapier step

• In your Zap, click to add an Action step. A dialog box will open.
• In the search box, search for and select AI by Zapier. The right sidebar will open to the Setup tab.
• Click the Action event field to open the dropdown menu, then select Analyze and Return Data.
• Click Initiate prompt builder to proceed to the Configure tab in focus mode.

2. Select a model

• Click the Model field. A dropdown menu will open.
• Select the AI provider you want to use in your prompt. It will expand to display all available models.
• Select a model.
  • Models that display a Zap icon have a built-in connection that you can use or you can connect your own account.
  • To use any other models, you must connect your own provider account.

Custom prompt Template Existing prompt

3a. Use a custom prompt

On the left side:

• In the Build mode field, Custom prompt will be preselected in the dropdown menu.
• (Optional) Click the Input fields field. A dropdown menu will appear.
  • In the Field name field, enter a name for your input field.
  • In the Field value field, enter a static value or map a field from a previous step to use in your prompt.
• In the Prompt field, enter a description of what you want the step to do.
  • AI by Zapier automatically calculates a prompt strength score, displayed as a bar below the prompt field.
  • (Optional) You can include a value from a previous step by mapping it in the Prompt field.
  • (Optional) Click Improve prompt for AI-powered assistance with your prompt.
• (Optional) Click the Output fields field. A dropdown menu will appear.
  • In the Field name field, enter a name for your input field.
  • Click the Field type field to open the dropdown menu, then select a type.
  • In the Field value field, enter a static value or map a field from a previous step to use in your prompt.
  • You can also click Generate from prompt to have AI by Zapier automatically create output fields for you.

Tip

• Input fields provide additional context to the AI. Enter one or more values, preferably by mapping from a previous step.
  If you do not create any output fields, AI by Zapier will return one combined output as the result.
• Learn how to write an effective AI prompt.

3b. Use a template

On the left side:

• Click the Build mode field to expand the dropdown menu.
• Select the type of action you want AI by Zapier to do from the available categories. A second dropdown menu will appear.
• Select a template.

When you select a template, the Prompt field will be filled with instructions for what the AI by Zapier step should do. You can edit these instructions.

3c. Use an existing prompt from your account

On the left side:

• Click the Build mode field to expand the dropdown menu.
• Select My prompts. A second dropdown menu will appear.
• Select a prompt.

When you select a template, the Prompt field will be filled with instructions for what the AI by Zapier step should do. You can edit these instructions.

4. Preview your data output

On the right side:

• Click Generate preview.
• Review the content and edit the input fields, prompt, or output fields as needed.
• In the Is this your expected output? field, you can provide feedback about your prompt by clicking either:
  • Thumbs up ICON: you're satisfied with the output.
  • Thumbs down ICON: you need to adjust the output. A new text field will appear below. Describe what needs improvement, then click Submit to revise prompt. AI by Zapier will update your prompt and output fields and highlight the changes.
  • After you review the changes, click:
    • Yes: to implement the highlighted changes.
    • No: to discard all changes.
  • Click Publish or add more action steps.

Tip

As you edit prompts, you can review previous versions by clicking the arrows in the Configure your prompt section. Prompt versions are only saved within a session. Only the current prompt version is saved after you close the Zap editor.

Limitations

• AI by Zapier does not learn from previous actions by incorporating learning. Each time an AI by Zapier action runs, the AI knowledge is reset to its initial state.
• AI by Zapier uses large language models (LLMs) from Zapier’s AI Functionality Subprocessors. Your AI by Zapier step may fail if its content violates the subprocessors’ usage policies.

Tip

If you need advanced AI controls, you can use one of the many AI apps on Zapier.