Find Airtable context while handling a Slack DM
Get the relevant record details without leaving the conversation to search by hand.
Trigger
Direct Message Received
Triggered when a new direct message (DM) is sent to a user in Slack. Catches all DMs across all DM channels.
Action
List records
Retrieves records from an airtable table, with options for filtering, sorting, pagination, and specifying returned fields.
Why this helps
Answering a quick DM can turn into a context switch through Airtable and back again.
- Search a specified Airtable table when a DM asks for context.
- Surface relevant record details in the automation run report.
- Spend less time switching between a direct message and a database.
Setup
Build it in a few focused steps.
- 1Connect Slackbot and Airtable once in the Notis portal.
- 2Create an automation named Slack DM Airtable Context Lookup.
- 3In one instruction, tell Notis which Airtable base and table to search, what DM details to use as search terms, and which matching record details to summarize.
- 4Pick the Direct Message Received trigger and choose where run reports should go.
- 5Test with one real DM whose subject is represented in the specified table.
Questions about this workflow
Will the workflow send a reply in Slack?
No. The selected Airtable action lists records, and Notis can include the results in the run report. This workflow does not send a Slack reply.
What if Airtable returns several possible matches?
Ask Notis to summarize the candidates and report ambiguity so you can choose. Include enough identifying information in your instruction to guide the search.
When this happens · Trigger
Do this · Action
Supported Triggers and Actions
Notis builds workflows that link Slackbot to Airtable. A trigger fires from one place; an action lands in another.
Slackbot triggers
Airtable actions
Recurring trigger
Notis starts this workflow on a schedule, such as daily, weekly, or during business hours.
Create base
Creates a new airtable base with specified tables and fields within a workspace; ensure field options are valid for their type.
Webhook trigger
Notis starts this workflow when an external tool or custom backend sends an HTTP request.
Create Comment
Creates a new comment on a specific record within an airtable base and table.
New Channel Created Trigger
Triggered when a new channel is created in Slack.
Create Field
Creates a new field within a specified table in an airtable base.
Channel Message Received
Triggered when a message is posted in a Slack channel (public, private, or multi-party IM). Does NOT match direct messages.
Create multiple records
Creates multiple new records in a specified airtable table.
Direct Message Received
Triggered when a new direct message (DM) is sent to a user in Slack. Catches all DMs across all DM channels.
Create a record
Creates a new record in a specified airtable table; field values must conform to the table's column types.
Message Reaction Added
Triggered when a reaction is added to a message in Slack. Supports optional filtering by channel and emoji name.
Create table
Creates a new table within a specified existing airtable base, allowing definition of its name, description, and field structure.
Message Reaction Removed
Triggered when a reaction is removed from a message in Slack. Supports optional filtering by channel and emoji name.
Delete Comment
Deletes an existing comment from a specified record in an airtable table.
Reaction Added Trigger
DEPRECATED: use `SLACK_MESSAGE_REACTION_ADDED` instead. Triggered when a reaction is added to a message in Slack.
Delete multiple records
Deletes up to 10 specified records from a table within an airtable base.
Connect any two apps with Notis in the middle.
Slackbot and Airtable, or any other combination from 1,000+ integrations.
When this happens · Trigger
Do this · Action
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