Link Webflow to external applications via Zapier

Smart tip: You can also automate tasks and integrate external applications with Webflow using Logic.

Zapier enables you to link more than 1000 applications with the Webflow API. Once your Webflow account is connected to Zapier, you can automate various actions related to CMS and Ecommerce on Webflow. You can even create Zapier actions that trigger after receiving a form submission, a new order, or an updated order on your website.

Prior to starting: If you haven’t done so yet, register for a Zapier account.

In this guide, you’ll understand:

The functioning of Zapier
How to establish a connection between your Webflow account and Zapier
How to forward Webflow form submissions to another application
How to create backups of form file uploads with Zapier
How to import content from Collections using Zapier
How to troubleshoot issues with Zapier

Understanding the Operation of Zapier

In Zapier, a connection is referred to as a “Zap.” Each Zap commences with a Trigger, denoting an event in an application, and is followed by an Action – an automated task performed by Zapier in another application.

For instance, if you wish to import items from a CMS via a spreadsheet, the Zap Trigger could be “Whenever a new row is added to the spreadsheet…” with the subsequent Action being “Zapier generates a new CMS item in Webflow.”

Find out more about Zapier’s functionality.

Establishing the Link between your Webflow Account and Zapier

To connect your Webflow account to Zapier, follow the steps outlined in Zapier’s documentation on connecting app accounts. You have the option to restrict Zapier’s access to specific websites and/or Workspaces.

OAuth is used by Zapier to interact with your Webflow account. If you are already logged into your Webflow account during the integration with Zapier, re-entering your password won’t be necessary, and an authorization screen will be presented immediately by Webflow.

Zapier does not gain access to any of your account details, including passwords.

Transferring Webflow Form Submissions to another Application

By linking Webflow form data to Zapier, you can efficiently direct form submissions to numerous applications like Mailchimp, Salesforce, Google Drive, and others.

‍Remark: For successful connection of the form to your Zap, at least one form submission needs to be received via your Webflow form.

To forward form submissions to another application via Zapier:

Visit your Zaps
Press Create
Select New Zap
Pick Webflow as your Trigger
Choose Form submission from the Event dropdown
Click Continue
Select your Webflow account
Click Continue
Choose your site from the Site Name dropdown
Choose your form from the Form Name dropdown
Click Continue
Press Test trigger
Select Continue with selected record
Opt for an action app (e.g., Mailchimp, Gmail, Slack, etc.)
Refer to Zapier’s documentation to configure your Zap’s Action
Click the “pencil” icon to assign a name to your Zap
Press Publish

Creating Backups of Form File Uploads with Zapier

Zapier allows you to gather form file uploads from your website’s forms and store them directly in your online storage system.

Important: To effectively implement this Zapier workflow, you should deactivate login security for uploaded files. Visit Site settings > Forms tab > Restrict uploaded file access and toggle the setting from “Login is required” to “Login is not required.”

For this instance, we will demonstrate sending form file uploads to Google Drive:

Navigate to your Zaps
Click Create
Opt for New Zap
Select Webflow as your Trigger
Choose Form submission from the Event dropdown
Click Continue
Choose your Webflow account
Click Continue
Select your site from the Site Name dropdown
Choose your form from the Form Name dropdown
Click Continue
Press Test trigger
Select Continue with selected record
Opt for Google Drive as your Action app
Incorporate an Upload file event in the Event dropdown
Click Continue
Connect your Google account to Zapier (if you haven’t already)
(Optional) Nominate a folder for Zapier to upload files to
Choose your Webflow form file upload field in the File field
(Optional) Express if you wish to convert form file uploads into documents
(Optional) Specify a name for your form file uploads in the File Name field. You can opt for a form field to establish a dynamic name (i.e., a name that varies based on the data in the form field)
(Optional) Indicate a file extension in the File Extension field
Click Continue
Press Test action
Click the “pencil” icon to provide a name to your Zap
Press Publish

Smart tip: We suggest specifying a filename in your Zap template using dynamic data from your form for easy identification of your files.

Importing Content from Collections with Zapier

You can supplement content to the Webflow CMS from external origins by configuring a link in Zapier. In this scenario, we’ll present how to attach a new blog post to your Collection whenever a new row is appended to a Google Sheet.

Remember: Ensure you have set up a CMS Collection (e.g., “Blog Posts”) for Zapier connection. The CMS also accommodates a Blog Posts template to guide you in arranging your Collection. Additionally, you must form a Google Sheet mirroring your Collection’s structure (e.g., your spreadsheet should possess a corresponding column for every Collection field). For certain fields, you may necessitate referring to our CMS API documentation for format guidelines. For instance, dates should adopt this format: 2023-07-28T19:41:52.325Z. The

Initial section denotes the calendar date, while the subsequent section denotes the time of day.

To generate a Zap that appends fresh entries to your Blog Posts Collection whenever a new row is inserted into your spreadsheet:

Navigate to your Zaps
Tap on Create
Opt for New Zap
Select Google Sheets as your Trigger
Pick New or updated spreadsheet row from the Event dropdown
Hit Continue
Establish a connection between your Google account and Zapier (if not done previously)
Click Continue
Choose your Blog Posts spreadsheet from the Spreadsheet dropdown
Select your worksheet (e.g., the worksheet tab in Google Sheets) from the Worksheet dropdown
Click Continue
Press Test trigger
(Optional) Select a record from your spreadsheet. Zapier will choose one automatically if you skip this step
Tap Continue with selected record
Pick Webflow as your Action
Choose Create Item from the Event dropdown
Click Continue
Select your Webflow account
Click Continue
Choose your site from the Site dropdown
Choose your Blog Posts Collection from the Collection dropdown
Associate your Collection fields in Zapier with the columns in your Blog Posts spreadsheet
Specify whether your post is archived (e.g., False or True) in the Archived dropdown
Specify whether your post is set to draft (e.g., False or True) in the Draft dropdown
Click Continue
Press Test action
Hit Publish

Nota Bene: This Zap doesn’t publish the Blog Posts it generates in the CMS — it merely supplements the content to your CMS Collection for subsequent review and publication. To publish content, you can formulate a Zap utilizing the Create Live item command.

Need to know: Currently, you cannot map CMS reference and multi-reference fields to Zapier fields. Additionally, any video link transferred to the CMS via the API (including Zapier) will not be immediately rendered. You must access the new Collection item, enter the video field, and exit. Upon doing so, the video preview will load as expected. Our team acknowledges this limitation and is strategizing to enhance this interaction in the future.

How to deal with Zapier problems

Given the diverse applications of Zapier, troubleshooting your Zap to function correctly might necessitate experimentation.

In case you encounter challenges with your Webflow to Zapier integration, you can rectify your connection settings from your Zapier Connections page. There, you can analyze, rename, re-establish, or sever the connection with your existing Webflow account(s). If necessary, you can also link a new Webflow account. Explore further on linking and deleting accounts from Zapier.

If you’re facing other difficulties with Zapier or your Zaps, refer to Zapier’s troubleshooting manual. For solutions to common issues with apps, visit Zapier’s App directory, locate the problematic app, and browse solutions under the Help section.

Critical: Our support team cannot directly assist with Zapier or other third-party integration issues, as they are beyond the scope of our customer support policy. Should you face challenges with your Zapier integration, kindly inform us through the Webflow Forum, where the entire Webflow community (inclusive of staff) can extend additional aid and resources.

Author
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Ewan Mak

Webflow Expert at Tenten

Webflow expert and frontend developer with 4+ years of experience. I bring a versatile skillset (HTML, CSS, JS, Figma, Adobe) to craft exceptional Webflow experiences. 70+ projects honed my ability to seamlessly blend custom code and visual development. Organized, deadline-driven, and passionate about growth, I excel in dynamic environments. Let's push boundaries and create something amazing.