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Notis

Keep Ably subscribers in sync with query results

A changed query result can become a useful real-time event for the tools and people that depend on it.

Trigger

Table Query Result Changed

Triggers when the result set of a saved table query changes in Google Sheets. Detects rows added, removed, or updated in the query output. This trigger monitors the result of a SQL query against a Google Sheets table and fires when changes are detected.

Action

Publish Message to Channel

This tool will allow users to publish a message to a specified ably channel using a post request. it covers the essentials like channel name, message data, optional event name/type, and additional metadata for push notifications. it is an independent and fundamental operation within ably's real-time messaging platform.

Why this helps

Changes in a saved data view can go unnoticed until someone refreshes the sheet and checks it manually.

  • Detect rows added, removed, or updated in a saved query result.
  • Publish a useful summary to Ably.
  • Reduce repeated checks of query output.

Setup

Build it in a few focused steps.

  • 1Connect Google Sheets and Ably once in the Notis portal.
  • 2Create an automation in Automations, New Automation, and give it a name.
  • 3Describe in one instruction how query result changes should be summarized and published.
  • 4Pick Table Query Result Changed as the trigger and choose where run reports go.
  • 5Test with one real example that changes the saved query result.

Questions about this workflow

What kinds of query changes trigger it?

The trigger detects rows added, removed, or updated in the saved table query output.

Does the automation run the query itself?

The trigger monitors a saved table query result. Notis acts on the changes returned by that trigger.

When this happens · Trigger

Do this · Action

Supported Triggers and Actions

Notis builds workflows that link Google Sheets to Ably. A trigger fires from one place; an action lands in another.

Google Sheets triggers

Ably actions

Recurring trigger

Notis starts this workflow on a schedule, such as daily, weekly, or during business hours.

TriggerScheduled

Query Batch Presence

This tool enables querying the presence states of multiple channels in a single api request. the api retrieves the member presence details of the specified channels in parallel.

ActionInstant

Webhook trigger

Notis starts this workflow when an external tool or custom backend sends an HTTP request.

TriggerInstant

Query Batch Presence History

This tool enables querying presence history for multiple channels in a single api request. it uses the get endpoint at https://rest.ably.io/presence to retrieve the member presence history details of the specified channels in parallel.

ActionInstant

Aggregate Metric Changed

Triggers when an aggregate metric (SUM/COUNT/AVG/MIN/MAX) changes in a Google Sheets spreadsheet. This trigger monitors an aggregate calculation on a target column (optionally filtered by a search column/value) and fires when the calculated result changes.

TriggerPolling

Create Ably Channel

Creates a new channel or retrieves an existing channel in ably. this tool allows you to programmatically create and initialize channels for real-time messaging. since ably creates channels implicitly when first used, this action publishes an empty initialization message to create/activate the channel.

ActionInstant

Cell Range Values Changed

Triggers when values in a specified A1 range change in Google Sheets. This trigger monitors a specific cell or range of cells and fires when any values change.

TriggerPolling

Delete Channel Subscription

This tool allows you to unsubscribe devices or clients from push notifications for specific channels. the operation is asynchronous, so immediate requests after deletion may briefly still return the subscription.

ActionInstant

Conditional Format Rule Changed

Triggers when conditional formatting rules change in a Google Spreadsheet. Detects when rules are added, updated, or removed. Uses snapshot-based diffing to detect changes between polls.

TriggerPolling

Get Channel Details

This tool retrieves metadata and details for a specific channel in ably. it returns a channeldetails object containing information about the channel's status, occupancy, and other metadata. the endpoint provides visibility into channel activity, including metrics such as connections, presence, publishers, and subscribers, and requires appropriate permissions.

ActionInstant

Data Validation Rule Changed

Triggers when data validation rules change (added/updated/removed) in a Google Spreadsheet. Uses snapshot-based diffing to detect changes between polls.

TriggerPolling

Get Channel History

This tool retrieves the message history for a specified ably channel. it uses the get /channels/{channelid}/messages endpoint to return a paginated list of messages in chronological order, subject to parameters such as 'channelid', 'limit', 'direction', 'start', and 'end'. the tool is useful for auditing, recovering missed messages, analyzing channel activity, and debugging message flows. authentication is required via basic or token authentication.

ActionInstant

Developer Metadata Changed

Triggers when developer metadata entries change (new/updated/removed) in a Google Spreadsheet. Uses snapshot-based diffing to detect changes between polls.

TriggerPolling

Get Channel Presence History

This tool retrieves the history of presence messages for a specified channel in ably. it allows you to query presence events on a channel within a given time period.

ActionInstant

Filtered Range Values Changed

Polling trigger that monitors Google Sheets filtered ranges for value changes. Uses snapshot-based diffing to detect when values matching a data filter change. Emits the matched values when changes are detected.

TriggerPolling

Get Ably Service Time

This tool retrieves the current server time from ably's service in milliseconds since the epoch. it is particularly useful for time synchronization and generating valid tokenrequest timestamps to prevent replay attacks. the endpoint supports multiple content types, handles http errors, network issues, and is a fundamental tool for ensuring accurate timing in ably applications.

ActionInstant

Connect any two apps with Notis in the middle.

Google Sheets and Ably, or any other combination from 1,000+ integrations.

When this happens · Trigger

Do this · Action

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