Broadcast table schema changes as Ably events
Give connected consumers a clear signal when the table they depend on changes shape.
Trigger
Table Schema Changed
Polling trigger that detects when a table's schema changes in Google Sheets. Monitors columns added/removed/renamed and inferred type/format changes. Uses snapshot-based diffing to compare schemas between polls.
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
A renamed or removed column can disrupt downstream work before anyone realizes the table structure changed.
- Detect columns added, removed, or renamed.
- Notice inferred type and format changes.
- Share a schema update through an Ably channel.
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 to summarize and publish a detected schema change.
- 4Pick Table Schema Changed as the trigger and choose where run reports go.
- 5Test with one real example by changing a table schema.
Questions about this workflow
What schema changes are detected?
The trigger monitors columns added, removed, or renamed, along with inferred type or format changes.
Can Notis repair downstream consumers?
This workflow publishes a notice through Ably. Any consumer changes need to be handled by a separate workflow or system.
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.
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.
Webhook trigger
Notis starts this workflow when an external tool or custom backend sends an HTTP request.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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