Automating image transfer from Airtable to WordPress: JS solution needed

Other Questions Airtable
1

Hey folks! I’m trying to set up an automated process to move pictures from Airtable to WordPress. I want the script to grab images from Airtable, download them, and then upload them to the WordPress media folder. The tricky part is I need these images to automatically fill in empty image fields across different post types. For instance, if I’ve got a profile for John Smith with a blank image spot, the script should find the right pic and pop it in there.

I’m pretty new to coding, so I’m not sure where to start. Any tips or code snippets would be super helpful! Here’s a basic example of what I’ve got so far, but it’s just connecting to Airtable:

const MyTable = new AirDB({
  apiKey: 'YOUR_API_KEY',
  baseId: 'YOUR_BASE_ID'
}).table('PROFILES');

async function fetchProfiles() {
  try {
    const profiles = await MyTable.select({
      maxRecords: 100,
      view: 'Main View'
    }).firstPage();
    console.log(profiles);
  } catch (error) {
    console.error('Oops!', error);
  }
}

fetchProfiles();

Any ideas on how to tackle the image transfer and WordPress upload part? Thanks!

2

hey alex, ive tried this before. you can use wordpress rest api to upload images after fetching and downloading them from airtable. rather than listing steps, just chain them in your script. good luck, its tricky but doable.

3

I’ve implemented a similar workflow before. The key is to use Airtable’s API to fetch image URLs, then use Node.js to download them locally. For WordPress integration, leverage the REST API with authentication. You’ll need to create a custom endpoint in WordPress to handle the image upload and attachment to specific posts. Be mindful of rate limits and error handling. Consider using a queue system for large datasets to avoid timeouts. Also, ensure you have proper error logging in place. This approach requires familiarity with both Airtable and WordPress APIs, so be prepared for some learning curve.

4

I’ve dealt with a similar challenge in my work. Here’s what I found effective:

First, use Airtable’s API to fetch the image URLs and then employ a library like ‘node-fetch’ to download the files. When it comes to WordPress, use its REST API along with a secure authentication method, such as application passwords or JWT. Setting up a custom endpoint can help manage image uploads and automatic attachment to posts.

Additionally, be cautious of rate limits on both services. Implement robust error handling and a retry mechanism to ensure the process runs smoothly. Good luck with your implementation!