Add emoji reaction to Slack when new Google Doc appears
New documents are worth noting but don't deserve a full message. This automation watches for new Google Docs and reacts with a custom emoji to a tracker message, logging the event without noise.
Trigger
New Document Added
Triggers when a new Google Doc is added/created. This trigger monitors Google Docs and fires when new documents are detected.
Action
Add reaction to message
Adds a specified emoji reaction to an existing message in a slack channel, identified by its timestamp; does not remove or retrieve reactions.
Why this helps
You want to log document creation but posting messages to Slack creates noise and clutters important channels. Your team ignores the spam. A silent emoji reaction on a tracking message keeps the record clean.
- Log events without creating message spam
- Keep channels clean while maintaining a record
- Quick visual scanability with emoji indicators
- Perfect for high-frequency events
Setup
Build it in a few focused steps.
- 1Connect Google Docs and Slack in your Notis portal.
- 2Create a new Automation: 'When a new Google Doc is created, add a [emoji] reaction to message [message link] in [Slack channel].'
- 3Select 'integration_event' and choose 'New Document Added.'
- 4Pick which emoji reaction to use—e.g., ':new:', ':documents:', ':star:'.
- 5Test by creating a new Google Doc and verifying the emoji appears on the tracker message.
Questions about this workflow
How do I set up the tracker message?
Post a message in Slack that says something like 'Document Tracker' and use its link in your automation. Notis will react to it each time.
Can I use custom emoji or only standard ones?
Both. Use any emoji your workspace has—standard emojis, custom team emojis, or even skin-tone variants.
What if I want different emoji for different types of documents?
Create multiple automations with different criteria. E.g., 'new marketing docs get :rocket:' and 'new ops docs get :gear:.'
When this happens · Trigger
Do this · Action
Supported Triggers and Actions
Notis builds workflows that link Google Docs to Slack. A trigger fires from one place; an action lands in another.
Google Docs triggers
Slack actions
New Document Created
Triggers when a new Google Doc is created. This trigger monitors Google Docs and fires when new documents are detected. Uses timestamp filtering to efficiently poll for new documents.
Set snooze duration
Deprecated: turns on do not disturb mode for the current user, or changes its duration. use `set dnd duration` instead.
Document Deleted
Triggers when an existing Google Doc is deleted (moved to trash). This trigger monitors Google Docs and fires when documents are trashed.
Add a custom emoji to a Slack team
Deprecated: adds a custom emoji to a slack workspace given a unique name and an image url. use `add emoji` instead.
Document Placeholder Filled
Triggers when a Google Doc's plain text changes such that a configured placeholder token/pattern is no longer present (i.e., the document has been filled in). This trigger monitors a specific Google Doc and fires when a placeholder pattern that was previously present is no longer found in the document's plain text.
Add an emoji alias
Adds an alias for an existing custom emoji in a slack enterprise grid organization.
Document Search Update
Triggers when a Google Doc matching a user-defined search query is newly created or updated since the last poll. This trigger uses timestamp filtering to efficiently monitor documents.
Add a remote file
Adds a reference to an external file (e.g., google drive, dropbox) to slack for discovery and sharing, requiring a unique `external id` and an `external url` accessible by slack.
Document Structure Changed
Triggers when a Google Doc's structure changes (headers/footers added/removed, tables/images count changes). This trigger monitors a specific document for structural changes like: - Headers added or removed - Footers added or removed - Tables added or removed - Images (inline objects) added or removed - Positioned objects added or removed - Footnotes added or removed
Add a star to an item
Stars a channel, file, file comment, or a specific message in slack.
Document Updated
Triggers when an existing Google Doc is updated or modified. This trigger monitors Google Docs and fires when documents are updated.
Add call participants
Registers new participants added to a slack call.
Document Word Count Threshold
Triggers when a Google Doc's word/character count crosses a user-defined threshold. This trigger monitors a specific Google Doc and fires when its word or character count becomes greater than or equal to the configured threshold value.
Add emoji
Adds a custom emoji to a slack workspace given a unique name and an image url; subject to workspace emoji limits.
New Folder Created in Root
Triggers when a new folder is created in the root folder of Google Drive. This trigger monitors Google Drive and fires when new folders are detected in the root directory.
Add reaction to message
Adds a specified emoji reaction to an existing message in a slack channel, identified by its timestamp; does not remove or retrieve reactions.
Connect any two apps with Notis in the middle.
Not just Google Docs and Slack. Any combination from 1,000+ integrations.
When this happens · Trigger
Do this · Action
Save your first hour today.
7 days free trial with 20$ free usage included.
No card. Works with personal or business Slack.