How to Get Exact Matches in SmartSheet Searches with Zapier

Nov 27, 2024
How to Get Exact Matches in SmartSheet Searches with Zapier
Fighting with SmartSheet's search returning unwanted partial matches? Here's how to get precise matches when automating with Zapier.

The Problem

  • SmartSheet API searches return partial matches
  • Wrong rows being updated
  • Similar emails causing confusion
  • Time wasted fixing incorrect updates

The Solution

  1. Use SmartSheet's Exact Match Syntax:
Bad Search: email@domain.com Matches: email@domain.com.au email@domain.com.org newemail@domain.com Good Search: "email@domain.com" Matches only: email@domain.com
  1. Implement in Zapier with SmartSheet Actions:
When: Using "Find Row in SmartSheet" action Do: Add quotes around search value Example: Search term: "{{trigger.email}}" Column to search: Email
  1. Handle No-Match Scenarios:
If: No exact match found Then: - Send to manual review queue - Log search attempt - Optional: Create new row

Specific Use Cases

  • Matching applicant records
  • Updating employee information
  • Linking related records
  • Document attachment to correct rows

Common Pitfalls

  • Forgetting quotes around search terms
  • Not accounting for case sensitivity
  • Assuming partial matches are acceptable
  • Missing error handling for no matches
Pro Tip: Always test your search with similar values first (like test@domain.com and test2@domain.com) to verify exact matching behavior.
#zapier #smartsheet #automation #integration

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