Check Census variable details from Slack
Clarify what a Census variable represents before relying on it in a research plan.
Trigger
Channel Message Received
Triggered when a message is posted in a Slack channel (public, private, or multi-party IM). Does NOT match direct messages.
Action
Get Variable Details
Tool to retrieve metadata for a specific variable in a census dataset for a given year. use when you need the label, concept, data type, attribute codes, and valid-value constraints.
Why this helps
Unclear variable labels and valid values can lead to wasted time or a misleading data request.
- Surfaces variable definitions and constraints early
- Helps teams agree on the measure they intend to use
- Avoids repeated manual documentation searches
Setup
Build it in a few focused steps.
- 1Connect Slack and Census bureau to Notis once.
- 2Create an automation in the portal or ask Notis to create it in plain language.
- 3Write one instruction to retrieve metadata for a variable, dataset, and year stated in the Slack message, including label, concept, type, and valid values.
- 4Select Channel Message Received and choose the channel for run reports.
- 5Test with a message naming a real dataset, year, and variable.
Questions about this workflow
Does this retrieve the actual statistical estimate?
No. It retrieves metadata for a specific variable. Use an estimate action when the goal is to fetch data values.
What identifiers should the message include?
Include the Census dataset, year, and variable identifier so the metadata request is specific.
When this happens · Trigger
Do this · Action
Supported Triggers and Actions
Notis builds workflows that link Slack to Census bureau. A trigger fires from one place; an action lands in another.
Slack triggers
Census bureau actions
Recurring trigger
Notis starts this workflow on a schedule, such as daily, weekly, or during business hours.
Get ACS 1-Year Estimates
Tool to retrieve 1-year american community survey (acs) estimates for a specified geography. use when you need the most recent annual acs data for a given area.
Webhook trigger
Notis starts this workflow when an external tool or custom backend sends an HTTP request.
Get ACS 5-Year Estimates
Tool to retrieve 5-year american community survey estimates for a specified year. use when detailed acs data by geography and variables is required.
New Channel Created Trigger
Triggered when a new channel is created in Slack.
Get American Business Survey
Tool to retrieve annual business survey (abs) data for a specified year and endpoint.
Channel Message Received
Triggered when a message is posted in a Slack channel (public, private, or multi-party IM). Does NOT match direct messages.
Get Community Resilience Estimates
Tool to retrieve community resilience estimates for a specified year. use after selecting variables and geography to get cre data for analysis.
Direct Message Received
Triggered when a new direct message (DM) is sent to a user in Slack. Catches all DMs across all DM channels.
Get County Business Patterns
Tool to retrieve county business patterns (cbp) data for a specified year. use when you need county-level business establishment and employment statistics filtered by industry and geography.
Message Reaction Added
Triggered when a reaction is added to a message in Slack. Supports optional filtering by channel and emoji name.
Get Decennial Census Data
Tool to retrieve decennial census data for a specified vintage and dataset. use when you need census variables for a given geography.
Message Reaction Removed
Triggered when a reaction is removed from a message in Slack. Supports optional filtering by channel and emoji name.
Get Population Estimates
Tool to retrieve population estimates program (pep) data for a specified vintage and dataset. use when you need population or demographic estimates for specific geographies.
Reaction Added Trigger
DEPRECATED: use `SLACK_MESSAGE_REACTION_ADDED` instead. Triggered when a reaction is added to a message in Slack.
Get Variable Details
Tool to retrieve metadata for a specific variable in a census dataset for a given year. use when you need the label, concept, data type, attribute codes, and valid-value constraints.
Connect any two apps with Notis in the middle.
Slack and Census bureau, or any other combination from 1,000+ integrations.
When this happens · Trigger
Do this · Action
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No card. Works with personal or business Census bureau.