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How to use Zapier to create data-driven video at scale
How to use Zapier to create data-driven video at scale

This guide shows you how to use Zapier with Shotstack Workflows to create data-driven video at scale.

Derk Zomer avatar
Written by Derk Zomer
Updated over 3 months ago

In this guide you'll create a Zap which uses Shotstack Workflows to create data-driven video at scale.

Configure Shotstack

Create a Template

We begin by creating a template. A template is the starting point to creating video at scale, through the use of Merge Fields. In this guide you won't create your own template, as you will use this template which has been built for you.

Click on Customize this Template to continue.

This will take you through to the Shotstack Studio where you can edit your Template.

We'll keep the template as it is and save it for now. However, if you'd like to learn more about Shotstack Studio, this article serves as a great starting point.

Next, navigate to Workflows in the left-hand panel and click Create Blank Workflow in the top-right corner of the screen.

Create a Workflow

After creating a new workflow, you'll need to set a trigger—either a webhook or a CSV upload. For this guide, we'll use a webhook.

In the Select an Action menu, click Render Video Template, then select the template you want to render. You need to also specify the data for each merge field.

Make sure to name the output of your Workflow something memorable, as you will need to use it in Zapier.

You can add additional actions to your workflow, like sending your final videos to destinations such as AWS S3. For this guide, however, you can leave the workflow as it is.

You are now ready to start configuring Zapier.

Configure Zapier

Our Zap will run from this spreadsheet, where you will create a video listing for every row where the status column is set to pending. Make sure to copy the spreadsheet.

Configure Trigger

We will use the New or Updated Spreadsheet Row Event for Google Sheets to trigger the Zap every time a new row is added or updated in the spreadsheet.

Configure Actions

Filter Action

You only want the video to be created if the status column is set to pending. Use the Filter Action to only let the Zap proceed when the column value is equal to pending.

Shotstack Workflow Action

Now it's time for the Shotstack Workflow to be triggered. Select your Workflow from the list and map all your Google Sheet columns to the correct Merge Field. When this step is executed a Workflow Job is triggered.

Delay Action

As videos need to be rendered it can take about a minute to render this particular video. To play it safe delay your Zap by 2 minutes using the Delay Action.

Shotstack Workflow Job Status Action

Now query the status of your Workflow Job. You can map the Job ID from the Shotstack Workflow Action to the Workflow Job ID. The result of this step will give you your final Workflow outputs.

Update Spreadsheet Row Action

Now update your spreadsheet with the results from the Workflow. Update the Job Status and Link column with the appropriate properties from the Shotstack Workflow Job Status results.

You can find your video by searching for the output name set up in your Shotstack Workflow. In this case it is RENDER_VIDEO_TEMPLATE_0.

Start automating

Your automation is now complete. After a successful Zap you will start to see links appearing in your spreadsheet.

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