Overview
This node acts as an instant trigger for Airtable events by handling webhook notifications. It listens for changes in a specified Airtable base and table, such as record creation or updates, and triggers workflows accordingly. This is useful for automating processes that depend on real-time data changes in Airtable, like syncing records to other systems, sending notifications when data changes, or updating dashboards.
For example, you can use this node to:
- Trigger a workflow whenever a new record is added to a specific Airtable table.
- React instantly when certain fields in records are updated, enabling dynamic automation based on data changes.
- Monitor specific fields for changes and include previous values for audit or comparison purposes.
Properties
| Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Base Name or ID | Select the Airtable base to monitor. You can choose from a list or specify an ID via expression. |
| Table Name or ID | Select the table within the chosen base to watch for changes. |
| Fields to Watch Names or IDs | Specify which fields to monitor for changes. If empty, all fields are watched. |
| Fields to Include in Output Names or IDs | Specify which fields' data to include in the output payload. |
| Include Previous Values | Boolean option to include previous field values in the output, useful for tracking what changed. |
| Event Types | Choose which event types to listen for: "Record Created" (add) and/or "Record Updated" (update). |
Output
The node outputs JSON data representing the changes detected by the webhook. The structure includes:
- An array of objects, each corresponding to a changed record.
- Each object contains:
- Field values as per the selected fields to include.
- Metadata about who made the change (user ID, name, email) if available.
- Timestamp of the change.
- Previous values of fields if the "Include Previous Values" option is enabled.
If binary data were involved, it would be summarized here, but this node only outputs JSON data related to Airtable record changes.
Dependencies
- Requires an API key credential for Airtable to authenticate requests.
- Needs proper configuration of webhook URLs in n8n to receive Airtable event notifications.
- Depends on Airtable's webhook API to deliver event payloads.
- Uses internal helper functions to fetch bases, tables, and fields dynamically for property options.
Troubleshooting
- Webhook Not Triggering: Ensure the webhook URL is correctly set up and reachable by Airtable. Check network/firewall settings.
- No Payloads Received: Verify that the webhook is properly created and subscribed to the correct base/table and event types.
- Invalid Webhook Request: The node expects a specific payload structure; if missing required fields like base or webhook ID, it will ignore the request.
- API Errors: Issues with authentication or permissions may cause failures in creating or checking webhooks. Confirm the API key has sufficient rights.
- Field Options Not Loading: If bases, tables, or fields do not load in the dropdowns, check connectivity and API credentials.
Links and References
- Airtable API Documentation
- n8n Expressions Documentation
- Airtable Webhooks Guide (for general webhook setup concepts)