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
- 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
- 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
- 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
