Sending file via POST request in Zapier using Python

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1

Hey folks, I’m stuck with a Zapier automation task. I need to send a file through a POST request, but I’m having trouble.

Here’s what I’ve tried:

  1. Used Postman successfully with Python requests.
  2. Tried to copy the code to Zapier Code, but can’t figure out how to include the file.

In Zapier, I’m grabbing an email attachment, which gets ‘hydrated’. It looks like this:

hydrate|||.eJwtjMsOwiAUBf_lrosKNFDZu3Xh1hjC46KklTaFxDRN_11qXJ7JzFkhplxMcqijB8U5l7yT5wZCxMHrZN4Iqo4BMzTgXuh63eMCioruLKiobEwFU9FlmXb1WrX-Y-ZnBrX-Qj2NsSpzBfcV_o-3C2GUisPkwx7sj5D5UQpDmeMnwqW1pPWBE-OYJdYwdCJQT9sWtse2fQEK1Tjl:1eqY0S:s2Ek27XO54PVSm9q_mVMDN8o1uY|||hydrate

How can I use this hydrated file in my Python code for the POST request? I’m new to handling files in Python. Any ideas?

2

hey there SurfingWave! i’ve dealt with this before. the trick is to use zapier’s ‘Dehydrate File’ action before ur python step. it’ll turn that weird hydrated thing into a normal file. then in ur python code, you can grab it with input_data[‘file’]. use it in ur POST request like this:

files = {‘file’: (‘filename.ext’, input_data[‘file’])}
response = requests.post(url, files=files)

hope that helps!

3

I’ve faced a similar scenario in Zapier. The key is that the file hydration you see is a Zapier-specific reference, and you need to transform it into a usable file before sending it. One practical method is to use Zapier’s built-in Dehydrate File action prior to running your Python code. This dehydrates the file so it becomes a standard file object. In your Python step, you can then retrieve the file with input_data[‘file’] and use it in your POST request. For instance, you can structure your request like this:

import requests

files = {'file': ('filename.ext', input_data['file'])}
response = requests.post(url, files=files)

Ensure you replace ‘filename.ext’ with the correct file name. This approach should integrate smoothly into your Zapier workflow.

4

I’ve encountered this issue before when working with file attachments in Zapier. The hydrated file reference you’re seeing is specific to Zapier’s internal system. To use it in your Python code, you’ll need to dehydrate it first.

Here’s what you can do:

Add a ‘Dehydrate File’ step in your Zapier workflow before your Python code step. This will convert the hydrated file reference into a usable file object.

In your Python code, you can then access the file using input_data[‘file’]. Use it in your POST request like this:

import requests

files = {‘file’: (‘attachment.pdf’, input_data[‘file’])}
response = requests.post(‘your_url_here’, files=files)

Make sure to replace ‘attachment.pdf’ with the actual filename and ‘your_url_here’ with your target URL. This should solve your file sending problem in Zapier.