Explain table schema changes in Canvas
Make a change to table columns or inferred types easier to follow by turning it into a Canvas discussion entry.
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
Create discussion entry
Tool to create a new entry in a canvas discussion topic. use when posting a message with optional attachments to a discussion topic.
Why this helps
A changed spreadsheet structure can leave collaborators uncertain about which columns or data formats to use.
- Explain structural changes in a shared Canvas discussion.
- Reduce confusion when a table's columns or inferred formats change.
- Keep a record of context and follow-up questions in one discussion.
Setup
Build it in a few focused steps.
- 1Connect Google Sheets and Canvas once in the Notis portal.
- 2Create an automation and describe how to explain schema changes in an entry to the chosen existing discussion topic.
- 3Pick Table Schema Changed as the trigger and choose where run reports should go.
- 4Test with one real schema change and review the posted entry.
Questions about this workflow
What changes count as a schema change?
The trigger detects columns added, removed, or renamed, and changes in inferred type or format.
Does this create a discussion topic?
No. The action posts an entry to an existing discussion topic, so specify which topic Notis should use.
When this happens · Trigger
Do this · Action
Supported Triggers and Actions
Notis builds workflows that link Google Sheets to Canvas. A trigger fires from one place; an action lands in another.
Google Sheets triggers
Canvas actions
Recurring trigger
Notis starts this workflow on a schedule, such as daily, weekly, or during business hours.
Create account notification
Creates a global notification within a canvas account, ensuring `end at` is after `start at` and any specified `notification roles` are valid.
Webhook trigger
Notis starts this workflow when an external tool or custom backend sends an HTTP request.
Create appointment group
Creates a new appointment group in canvas for schedulable time slots within specified course or group contexts.
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 an assignment
Creates a new assignment within a specified course in canvas lms.
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.
Create assignment override
Creates an assignment override to adjust due/unlock/lock dates for an assignment in a course, targeting specific students (requires `title`), a group, or a course section; at least one target (`student ids`, `group id`, or `course section id`) is required.
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.
Create Calendar Event
Creates a calendar event with options for recurrence (finite `rrule` series only), section-specific timings, and blackout dates within a specified context.
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.
Create communication channel
Creates a new communication channel (e.g., email, sms, push) for an existing canvas user to receive notifications.
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.
Create content share
Shares a canvas content item to specified users, if the sender has necessary permissions and receiver ids are valid.
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.
Create conversation
Use to send messages in canvas by creating a new conversation or adding to an existing one; an existing conversation with the same recipients (and matching scope/filter, if specified) may be reused unless `force new` is true.
Connect any two apps with Notis in the middle.
Google Sheets and Canvas, or any other combination from 1,000+ integrations.
When this happens · Trigger
Do this · Action
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