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5 ways to automate your database apps with Zapier

By Nicole Replogle · October 3, 2023
Hero image with an icon of a spreadsheet, database, or list

Databases are the foundation of your information ecosystem, letting you store, organize, and work with data in dynamic and powerful ways. These apps usually let you display information in various views (like boards, lists, calendars, and tables), create dashboards and reports, and more.

But manually managing your databases is a cumbersome task. Copying and pasting information from various sources is a time suck. And you might want to stay on top of important milestones, deadlines, and developments—but what if your database app doesn't send these notifications on its own? 

Zapier's automated workflows (called Zaps) can make your database even more powerful. Automating your most repetitive tasks saves you time while giving you more control over how you use your data. Below, we've rounded up the six most popular ways to automate your database app.

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Table of contents

To get started with a Zap template—what we call our pre-made workflows—just click on the button. It only takes a few minutes to set up. You can read more about setting up Zaps here.

Update your database from a form

Just because databases are the best way to organize information doesn't mean they're the fastest or easiest way to collect that data. You don't always have time to pull up your Airtable workspace, scroll to the bottom of a huge spreadsheet, and create a new entry from scratch. 

Forms are a great alternative. They're like a front-end to your database, giving customers or inter-departmental collaborators the limited ability to create new entries without having access to (and potentially messing up) the entire database. Or, if you and your team update your database regularly, you can bookmark the URL in your browser for making quick additions without opening your database app. 

Add new Typeform entries to Airtable as records

  • Typeform logo
  • Airtable logo
Typeform + Airtable
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    Rather than collecting and inputting data from endless amounts of form entries, use this Typeform to Airtable automation. Set it up and each time a new entry is submitted in Typeform, Zapier will create a new record in Airtable. Create complete and accurate records for your form entries in your Airtable database automatically!

    Create Airtable records for new Webflow form submissions

    • Webflow logo
    • Airtable logo
    Webflow + Airtable
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      If you feel like you are spending all your time copying form submissions into a record, you are wasting that valuable time of yours. Use this integration to get some of it back. After setup, new Webflow form submissions will automatically create Airtable records. From there, you can review the info, categorize, or share it.

      Save Typeform form entries to a MySQL Database

      • Typeform logo
      • MySQL logo
      Typeform + MySQL
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        Keep track of all of your form data and put it to work in your own apps with this integration, which automatically copies each Typeform entry into your MySQL database.

        Create Firebase / Firestore documents for new Typeform entries

        • Typeform logo
        • Firebase / Firestore logo
        Typeform + Firebase / Firestore
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          When you have new entries of your online form, you may want to create a document with the details. This integration helps by automatically creating a Firebase / Firestore document with details from a new Typeform entry. You won't have to manually create documents with form entry data again.

          Add new rows to PostgreSQL for new Typeform entries

          • Typeform logo
          • PostgreSQL logo
          Typeform + PostgreSQL
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            If all those new Typeform entries are getting added to PostgreSQL anyway, why not automate the connection with this Zap? Once you've turned it on, this integration will trigger for every new form entry you receive on Typeform, adding the data to PostgreSQL automatically in the form of a new row, so you can pick up your workflow from there—or use another Zap after that to listen for those PostgreSQL rows and move them on to the next step in the pipeline.

            Add new Jotform submissions to rows in SQL Server databases

            • Jotform logo
            • SQL Server logo
            Jotform + SQL Server
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              Set up this integration to automatically capture new Jotform form submissions and save them as new records in a SQL Server database row. You can add a front end to your database without having to do any development!

              Add Facebook leads to your database app

              When a prospective customer fills out a lead form on a Facebook ad, it's important to collect their information in an accessible and reliable place. You'll need to follow up quickly to ensure maximum engagement.

              But manual data entry can take up most of your time, not to mention risk costly typos. Instead, use one of these Zaps to send new leads to your CRM database automatically—ensuring a dynamic sales pipeline and smooth customer experience from the start.

              Add new Facebook Lead Ads respondents to your MySQL database

              • Facebook Lead Ads logo
              • MySQL logo
              Facebook Lead Ads + MySQL
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                Make sure your database always includes your latest prospects, and you can rely on accurate records for all your processes. After you've configured this integration, every new lead that enters their info on your Facebook Lead Ads will automatically be added to a new row on MySQL, saving you the hassle of manual exports from your ad.

                Send new Facebook Lead Ads leads to SQL Server rows

                • Facebook Lead Ads logo
                • SQL Server logo
                Facebook Lead Ads + SQL Server
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                  Looking to create a dynamic sales pipeline? Automate your Facebook Lead Ads data with this integration. After you set it up, every new lead will be automatically added to a row in SQL Server. Effortlessly ensure that your lead data is right where you need it.

                  Add new Facebook Lead Ads leads to PostgreSQL as rows

                  • Facebook Lead Ads logo
                  • PostgreSQL logo
                  Facebook Lead Ads + PostgreSQL
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                    Instantly add new leads from your Facebook Lead Ads campaign to your PostgreSQL database with this seamless workflow. When a prospective customer fills out a lead form on your ad, their contact information will be swiftly sent to your database as a new row, ensuring you always have up-to-date entries for effective lead management and follow-ups. No more manual data entry, and a smooth customer experience with faster response times.

                    Add new Facebook Lead Ad leads to Airtable

                    • Facebook Lead Ads logo
                    • Airtable logo
                    Facebook Lead Ads + Airtable
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                      Don't let that valuable contact information go to waste. When someone expresses interest in your product or service through a Facebook ad, use this integration to capture their data automatically. After being set up, this Zap will add a record on Airtable for every new lead on Facebook as it happens, keeping your records up to date without any effort.

                      Send notifications for database updates

                      It's a safe bet your database isn't just collecting data in the background. You probably want to stay aware of changes to your database—whether it's a new status on a project or a new lead in your CRM. But manually checking your database app can get tedious. 

                      Instead, use a Zap to send yourself (or your team) notifications of important updates.

                      By email

                      Save yourself the trouble of checking your Airtable or PostgreSQL dashboards constantly for updates. These automated workflows send you an email automatically anytime a new entry matching your specifications appears in your database of choice.

                      Send Gmail messages for new Airtable records in views

                      • Airtable logo
                      • Gmail logo
                      Airtable + Gmail
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                        Some of your Airtable bases may be extra important or time sensitive, and you

                        Share new MySQL rows from a custom query with a Gmail email

                        • MySQL logo
                        • Gmail logo
                        MySQL + Gmail
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                          Monitor your database and get notified when new rows are added with this MySQL to Gmail automation. Set it up, and every time a new row is added in MySQL, Zapier will send a new message via Gmail. Know the status of your database at all times—or use this integration to send Gmail emails right from your MySQL-powered app.

                          Send Gmail emails for new documents in a Firebase / Firestore collection

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                          • Gmail logo
                          Firebase / Firestore + Gmail
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                            When you have new documents added to a collection, you'll want to know about it. This integration helps by automatically sending a Gmail email when there is a new document in a Firebase / Firestore collection. You'll always know when you have new documents available.

                            Send emails on Gmail for new custom query matches on PostgreSQL

                            • PostgreSQL logo
                            • Gmail logo
                            PostgreSQL + Gmail
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                              Need to make sure your contacts are notified the moment a new row on your PostgreSQL database matches some particular conditions? Activate this Zap and we'll take care of that for you. Once you do, any new match for a PostgreSQL custom query will automatically send off a new email via Gmail, informing all your recipient(s) of what's new without forcing you to interrupt the rest of your activity.

                              Send emails in Gmail for new custom query rows in SQL Server

                              • SQL Server logo
                              • Gmail logo
                              SQL Server + Gmail
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                                Stay on top of new data entries with this convenient automation. When your SQL Server returns a new row based on a custom query, an email will be sent via Gmail, keeping you and your team informed of important updates. Enhance your productivity and ensure you never miss crucial information from your SQL Server database again.

                                To Slack

                                If your team is like most, you're very busy—and you're also overloaded with tools and browser tabs. 

                                Instead of hoping each team member remembers to check your database for important updates, set up one of these Zaps. That way, your team will be notified automatically whenever a new entry matching your criteria is added to your database. Keep everyone on the same page without wasting time manually monitoring your central information hub.

                                Post new Airtable records to Slack

                                • Airtable logo
                                • Slack logo
                                Airtable + Slack
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                                  Notify your team when new records are available when you use this Airtable to Slack automation. Once set up, every time a new record is added in Airtable, Zapier will automatically send a new message via Slack. By keeping your team updated on changes you can improve collaboration and productivity.

                                  Post new MySQL rows as Slack messages

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                                  • Slack logo
                                  MySQL + Slack
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                                    This MySQL-Slack integration enables you to keep your team informed about new rows in a MySQL database via your Slack messages. After you set up this integration, every time a new MySQL row is inserted, a new message will be automatically posted to a Slack channel.

                                    Send Slack channel messages for new Firebase / Firestore documents in a collection

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                                    • Slack logo
                                    Firebase / Firestore + Slack
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                                      When you have new documents available, you'll want to know about it. This integration helps by automatically sending a channel message in Slack when there is a new document in a specific Firebase / Firestore collection. You'll always know when new documents are available to you.

                                      Get Slack messages for new custom query matches on PostgreSQL

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                                      • Slack logo
                                      PostgreSQL + Slack
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                                        Searching your database with the same query over and over can get quickly get tiresome, and even more so if you have to provide updates to the team about it. If you set up this Zap, however, both those issues will be taken care of for you automatically. After it's active, any new row found to match your custom query on PostgreSQL will automatically result in a message being sent to the Slack channel of your choice, containing all the information you need to stay on top of new items without missing a beat.

                                        Send Slack channel messages for new SQL Server rows with custom queries

                                        • SQL Server logo
                                        • Slack logo
                                        SQL Server + Slack
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                                          Stay up to date on your SQL Server data with this handy workflow. Whenever there's a new row in your custom query, it will send a message to a Slack channel of your choice, ensuring that you and your team are always informed about important updates. This automation saves you time and keeps everyone on the same page without manual monitoring.

                                          Connect Google Sheets with your database app 

                                          Just because you use a database to store and organize information doesn't mean you don't need a spreadsheet. Sometimes you need a backup for your backup—and nothing does a better job at backing up information than Google Sheets. 

                                          And while databases are packed with flashy features, sometimes you just need to present that data simply to non-technical users. 

                                          But manually entering data into two separate apps can waste valuable time, not to mention risk typos and inaccuracies across your records. Thankfully, Zaps let you send information from one app to another automatically.

                                          Send data to Google Sheets

                                          These automations let you create an automatic backup for your database records in Google Sheets without lifting a finger. Whenever a new row is added to Airtable or your database app of choice, a new row will automatically be added to your Google Sheets spreadsheet.

                                          Add new Airtable records in views to Google Sheets

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                                          • Google Sheets logo
                                          Airtable + Google Sheets
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                                            Create a back up for your database records with this Airtable to Google Sheets automation. Once set up, each time a new record is added to a selected view in Airtable, Zapier will automatically add a new row into your selected Google Sheets spreadsheet. Prevent losing data when you create copies, and use this integration as an easy way to export Airtable database info to a spreadsheet.

                                            Create Google Sheets rows from new MySQL rows

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                                            • Google Sheets logo
                                            MySQL + Google Sheets
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                                              Save your new MySQL rows as Google Sheets rows without the hassle of manual set up! After you set up this MySQL Google Sheets integration, every time a new MySQL row is created, a new row will be automatically added to a Google Sheets spreadsheet--great for presenting database data to non-technical users.

                                              Create Google Sheets rows for new documents in Firebase / Firestore collections

                                              • Firebase / Firestore logo
                                              • Google Sheets logo
                                              Firebase / Firestore + Google Sheets
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                                                When you have new documents added to your collection, you may want the details organized in your spreadsheet. This integration makes it easy. Set it up to automatically create a row in a Google Sheets spreadsheet when there is a new document within a Firestore collection. It's never been easier to organize your document details!

                                                Create rows on Google Sheets for new custom query matches on PostgreSQL

                                                • PostgreSQL logo
                                                • Google Sheets logo
                                                PostgreSQL + Google Sheets
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                                                  Need a way to reliably give colleagues access to PostgreSQL rows that match a particular custom query? Rather than constantly searching for and copying them, use this Zap. Define your query during setup and, from then on, any new row found to match it on PostgreSQL will automatically trigger the addition of a new row on Google Sheets with all that data, tirelessly keeping track of all those specific items so you never have to dig for them again.

                                                  Add new SQL Server rows to a Google Sheets spreadsheet

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                                                  • Google Sheets logo
                                                  SQL Server + Google Sheets
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                                                    Using a SQL Server-based application to store and manage important data? If you need to report or analyze your data, Zapier can automatically add new SQL Server rows to a Google Sheets spreadsheet as soon as they are created. After this integration is set up, new records added to your SQL Server database will be added to your Google Sheets spreadsheet as new rows.

                                                    Get data from Google Sheets

                                                    On the other hand, maybe you use a spreadsheet as your central data hub for your business. Google Sheets make a great foundation for data storage and setting up complex automated workflows across your tech stack. 

                                                    If you collect information in a spreadsheet, it's easy to then set up automations to pass that information along to all your most-used apps (from databases to project management tools to CRM tools and beyond). You can be sure your information is consistent across your tech stack—all without repetitive, manual data entry.

                                                    Get started by connecting Google Sheets to your database app of choice. Then, get creative by adding more Zaps (or creating a multi-step Zap) to send information to the rest of your most-used apps. 

                                                    Save new Google Sheets rows to Airtable

                                                    • Google Sheets logo
                                                    • Airtable logo
                                                    Google Sheets + Airtable
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                                                      Update your spreadsheets and organize your data when you use this Google Sheets to Airtable automation. Set it up, and each time a new row is added to your selected Google Sheets spreadsheet, Zapier will automatically create a new record in Airtable. It's a great way to backup your spreadsheet, or use a simple Google Form as the front-end to your Airtable database.

                                                      Add new Google Sheets rows to MySQL

                                                      • Google Sheets logo
                                                      • MySQL logo
                                                      Google Sheets + MySQL
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                                                        Automatically backup your spreadsheet entries to a MySQL database, so you can use the data in your own apps and more. All it takes is Google Sheets, your MySQL database, and this integration. Every new row you add to your sheet will trigger the integration, automatically creating a new row on your MySQL database.

                                                        Create Firebase / Firestore cloud documents for new or updated Google Sheet rows

                                                        • Google Sheets logo
                                                        • Firebase / Firestore logo
                                                        Google Sheets + Firebase / Firestore
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                                                          When you have important info being added to a spreadsheet, you may want the details saved to a cloud doc. This integration helps by automatically creating a Firestore cloud document when there are new or updated rows in a Google Sheet. You won't have to manually create docs again.

                                                          Send new rows on Google Sheets to PostgreSQL

                                                          • Google Sheets logo
                                                          • PostgreSQL logo
                                                          Google Sheets + PostgreSQL
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                                                            Tired of all the effort it takes to paste Google Sheets data into your database? Use this Zap and you'll never face that problem again! Once you've set it up, a new row will be automatically added to PostgreSQL as soon as you add a new row to a specified Google Sheets spreadsheet. Effortlessly ensure your data parity while freeing yourself up for more important work.

                                                            Add new Google Sheets spreadsheet rows to a SQL Server database

                                                            • Google Sheets logo
                                                            • SQL Server logo
                                                            Google Sheets + SQL Server
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                                                              Data gathering is important but requires manual work - automate it and save time. Zapier can automatically add new data into a SQL Server database as you capture the data in a new row in a Google Sheet. It's never been easier to aggregate all of your data in one place.

                                                              Use webhooks with your database

                                                              Databases are endlessly flexible tools for storing and using information. So it makes sense that you might want to automate your database in new and creative ways. If you need to pull data from apps that don't have a native Zapier integration, you can use webhooks.

                                                              Webhooks carry data from one tool to another whenever a specified trigger takes place. If you need to link your internal business apps to Airtable or MySQL, just set up a webhook to automatically extract data and create a new record in your database. 

                                                              Create Airtable records with new caught webhooks

                                                              • Webhooks by Zapier logo
                                                              • Airtable logo
                                                              Webhooks by Zapier + Airtable
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                                                                If you need to pull data from apps with webhook integrations, this automation can save you time and effort. Set it up so that, each time a webhook is received at a specified URL, Zapier will automatically extract the data you need to create a new record in Airtable. It's the perfect way to link Airtable to your internal business apps.

                                                                Save new webhook request data as MySQL rows

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                                                                • MySQL logo
                                                                Webhooks by Zapier + MySQL
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                                                                  Automatically save webhook request data as rows in a MySQL database table. After you set up this integration, every time a webhook is requested, the data will be saved as a MySQL row. Easily store and back up data from any 3rd party app without the hassle of manual data entry.

                                                                  Send new webhook data to PostgreSQL as new rows

                                                                  • Webhooks by Zapier logo
                                                                  • PostgreSQL logo
                                                                  Webhooks by Zapier + PostgreSQL
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                                                                    Need to plug your PostgreSQL into your webhook workflow? Don't bother with any manual effort and use this Zap instead. Once you've got it up and running, just direct all your payloads to the custom webhook you define during configuration. Any payloads it catches will then automatically be sent to your PostgreSQL database, creating a new row with the information so that your pipeline keeps moving forward without any hiccups.

                                                                    Add SQL Server rows with new caught webhooks

                                                                    • Webhooks by Zapier logo
                                                                    • SQL Server logo
                                                                    Webhooks by Zapier + SQL Server
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                                                                      With this integration, Zapier can use the request data to automatically create a new SQL Server database record whenever a new webhook request is caught. New webhook requests received from that point forward are individually added as new records in the database. It's the perfect way to store data from webhooks in your SQL Server database.

                                                                      Streamline data management with automation

                                                                      Databases are flexible and powerful tools for storing, organizing, and manipulating your most crucial business information. But they're even more powerful when you don't have to worry about manually moving data to or from your database.

                                                                      Automation lets you create new database entries from various sources, including forms and social media ads. You can also set up automated notifications and create automatic spreadsheet backups.

                                                                      And when you automate repetitive tasks, you save yourself valuable time while ensuring your database app is always up to date—and ready to support the rest of your information ecosystem.

                                                                      This article was originally published in July 2020, written by Nick Moore. It was most recently updated in October 2023 by Nicole Replogle.

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                                                                      A Zap with the trigger 'When I get a new lead from Facebook,' and the action 'Notify my team in Slack'