Zapier triggers and actions in No-Code - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is a trigger in Zapier?

A trigger is an event that starts a Zap. It tells Zapier when to begin an automated workflow, like receiving a new email or a new form submission.

beginner

What is an action in Zapier?

An action is what happens after a trigger. It is the task Zapier performs automatically, such as sending an email or adding a contact to a list.

intermediate

Can a Zap have multiple actions?

Yes, a Zap can have multiple actions. After a trigger, Zapier can perform several tasks in order, like updating a spreadsheet and sending a notification.

beginner

What happens if a trigger event does not occur?

If the trigger event does not happen, the Zap does not run. No actions will be performed until the trigger event occurs.

intermediate

How does Zapier know which data to use in actions?

Zapier uses data from the trigger event to fill in details for actions. For example, if the trigger is a new email, the action can use the email's subject or sender.

What starts a Zap in Zapier?

A A trigger event

B An action

C A manual button

D A scheduled time

A trigger event is what starts a Zap automatically when something happens.

Which of these is an example of an action in Zapier?

A Waiting for a trigger

B Receiving a new email

C Sending a notification

D Setting up a Zap

Sending a notification is an action Zapier performs after a trigger.

Can a Zap have more than one action?

A Yes, multiple actions can be added

B Only if the Zap is paused

C Only if the trigger is manual

D No, only one action is allowed

Zapier allows multiple actions to run in sequence after a trigger.

What happens if the trigger event never occurs?

A The Zap runs anyway

B The Zap waits but does not run

C The Zap deletes itself

D The Zap sends an error

The Zap waits for the trigger event and does not run until it happens.

Where does Zapier get the data to use in actions?

A From the Zapier server only

B From the user’s computer

C From a random source

D From the trigger event

Zapier uses data from the trigger event to fill in details for actions.

Explain what a trigger and an action are in Zapier and how they work together.

Think about what starts the automation and what happens after.

Describe a real-life example of a Zap using a trigger and multiple actions.

Imagine automating a daily task you do on your phone or computer.

Practice

1. What is the main role of a trigger in Zapier automation?

easy

A. To send notifications manually

B. To perform a task after an event

C. To start the automation when a specific event happens

D. To stop the automation process

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand what a trigger does

   A trigger is the event that starts an automation in Zapier.

2. Step 2: Differentiate trigger from action

   Actions happen after triggers; triggers start the process.

3. Final Answer:

   To start the automation when a specific event happens -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Trigger = start event [OK]

Hint: Triggers always start automations by events [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing triggers with actions
• Thinking triggers perform tasks
• Assuming triggers stop automations

2. Which of the following is the correct way to describe an action in Zapier?

easy

A. A task Zapier performs after a trigger

B. An event that starts the automation

C. A manual step to approve automation

D. A notification sent before the trigger

Solution

1. Step 1: Define what an action is in Zapier

   An action is a task Zapier does after the trigger event happens.

2. Step 2: Eliminate incorrect options

   Actions are not events or manual steps; they happen after triggers.

3. Final Answer:

   A task Zapier performs after a trigger -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Action = task after trigger [OK]

Hint: Actions happen after triggers to do tasks [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Mixing up triggers and actions
• Thinking actions are manual approvals
• Believing actions happen before triggers

3. Consider this Zapier automation: When a new email arrives (trigger), Zapier saves the attachment to Google Drive (action). What happens if no attachment is in the email?

medium

A. Zapier saves an empty file to Google Drive

B. Zapier fails the action

C. Zapier sends an error notification

D. Zapier deletes the email automatically

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the trigger and action relationship

   The trigger is a new email; the action depends on the attachment existing.

2. Step 2: Consider what happens if no attachment exists

   If no attachment is found, Zapier attempts the action but fails because there is no attachment data to save.

3. Final Answer:

   Zapier fails the action -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   No attachment means action fails [OK]

Hint: No attachment data causes action to fail [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming Zapier skips the action silently
• Expecting automatic error notifications
• Thinking Zapier deletes emails

4. You set up a Zap with a trigger 'New Form Submission' and an action 'Send Email'. However, the email is never sent. What is a likely error?

medium

A. The trigger is not connected to the correct form

B. The action is set to run before the trigger

C. Zapier does not support sending emails

D. The form submission data is empty

Solution

1. Step 1: Check trigger connection

   If the trigger is not linked to the correct form, Zapier won't detect submissions.

2. Step 2: Verify action timing and capabilities

   Actions always run after triggers; Zapier supports sending emails; empty data may cause issues but usually triggers still fire.

3. Final Answer:

   The trigger is not connected to the correct form -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Wrong trigger connection stops automation [OK]

Hint: Check trigger connection if action never runs [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking actions run before triggers
• Believing Zapier can't send emails
• Ignoring trigger setup errors

5. You want to automate saving new contacts from a spreadsheet to your CRM using Zapier. Which combination best fits this task?

hard

A. Trigger: Manual button press; Action: Send email notification

B. Trigger: Create contact in CRM; Action: Add new row in spreadsheet

C. Trigger: New email received; Action: Delete spreadsheet row

D. Trigger: New row in spreadsheet; Action: Create contact in CRM

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify the event that starts the automation

   New row in spreadsheet means a new contact entry, so it should be the trigger.

2. Step 2: Determine the task to perform after trigger

   Creating a contact in CRM is the action to automate saving data.

3. Final Answer:

   Trigger: New row in spreadsheet; Action: Create contact in CRM -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   New data triggers contact creation [OK]

Hint: Trigger detects new data; action saves it [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Reversing trigger and action roles
• Choosing unrelated triggers or actions
• Using manual triggers for automatic data