Syncing Airtable record deletions with PostgreSQL through Zapier automation

[DancingFox]

I’m trying to set up an automated workflow that removes records from my PostgreSQL database whenever I delete corresponding entries in Airtable. I’ve been exploring Zapier as my integration platform, but I’m running into limitations with the available trigger options.

The main issue is that Zapier seems to only offer triggers for when new records get created or when existing records are modified in Airtable. I can’t seem to find any trigger that fires when a record gets deleted from my Airtable base.

Has anyone found a workaround for this? I need my PostgreSQL database to stay in sync with Airtable, especially when items get removed. Maybe there’s a different approach or trigger type I’m missing?

Any suggestions for maintaining data consistency between these two systems would be really helpful. I’m open to alternative solutions if Zapier can’t handle this specific use case.

[RunningTiger]

You’re right - Zapier doesn’t have a delete trigger for Airtable. Hit the same wall last year building a sync workflow. Here’s what worked: skip hard deletes and use soft deletes instead. Add a boolean field like “archived” or “deleted” to your Airtable base. When you want to remove a record, just check that field instead of deleting the row. Set up Zapier’s “Updated Record” trigger to watch for changes to that specific field. When it flips to true, it fires the PostgreSQL deletion. You keep audit trails and get better sync control. Downside? Archived records pile up over time, but you can clean them out manually when needed. Been running solid for months.

[Bob_Clever]

i feel u! had the same prob. i switched to airtable automations for delete actions. it took a bit to set up, but the webhook with postgres is smooth once its done.

[charlottek]

Dealt with this exact thing 6 months ago building a sync system for inventory management.

Zapier’s delete trigger gap is a real pain. I switched to a timestamp approach instead of catching deletes in real time - worked way better.

Run a scheduled Zapier workflow every few minutes. Pull all record IDs from Airtable and compare them to your PostgreSQL table. Any PostgreSQL records with IDs missing from Airtable get auto-deleted.

Add an “airtable_id” column to PostgreSQL if you don’t have one. The comparison logic is simple - just diff the two ID sets.

Works great unless you need instant deletion sync. The delay never hurt us since we didn’t delete much.

For real-time sync, Bob’s webhook approach is solid but needs more Airtable automation setup.

[charlottew]

The Problem:

You’re trying to set up an automated workflow to remove records from your PostgreSQL database when corresponding entries are deleted in Airtable. Zapier’s lack of a delete trigger for Airtable is preventing you from achieving real-time synchronization.

Step-by-Step Guide:

Step 1: Choose Make (formerly Integromat) as Your Integration Platform. Unlike Zapier, Make directly supports Airtable delete triggers via webhooks. This allows for real-time synchronization of deletions.

Step 2: Set up an Airtable Automation. Create a new automation in your Airtable base. Configure it to trigger a webhook when a record is deleted. This webhook will send a notification to Make whenever a record is deleted in Airtable. You’ll need to specify the webhook URL provided by Make in this step.

Step 3: Create a Make Scenario. In Make, create a new scenario.

• Module 1: Airtable Webhook. This will receive the notification from Airtable when a record is deleted. Make sure you map the relevant fields from the Airtable webhook payload (likely including the deleted record ID).

• Module 2: PostgreSQL Module (e.g., the PostgreSQL connector available in Make). This module will connect to your PostgreSQL database. Use the Airtable record ID (obtained in Module 1) to identify the corresponding record in your PostgreSQL database for deletion. This requires an “Airtable ID” column in your PostgreSQL table that mirrors the Airtable record IDs.

• Action within PostgreSQL Module: Execute a SQL DELETE statement to remove the identified record from your PostgreSQL table. The WHERE clause of your DELETE statement should use the airtable_id column to target the specific record corresponding to the deleted Airtable entry.

Step 4: Test Your Integration. After configuring the scenario in Make, test it thoroughly by deleting records in your Airtable base. Verify that the corresponding records are successfully deleted from your PostgreSQL database.

Step 5 (Optional): Add Error Handling. Enhance your Make scenario with error handling. This can include logging deleted record IDs and any errors encountered during the PostgreSQL delete operation, allowing for better debugging and monitoring.

Common Pitfalls & What to Check Next:

• Airtable Webhook URL: Double-check that the webhook URL in your Airtable automation correctly points to the webhook endpoint created in Make. Any mismatch will prevent the automation from functioning.

• PostgreSQL Connection Details: Ensure your PostgreSQL connection details (database name, username, password, host) in the Make scenario are accurate.

• Airtable ID Mapping: Verify that the airtable_id column in your PostgreSQL table accurately corresponds to the record IDs in your Airtable base. Any discrepancies will lead to incorrect deletions.

• SQL DELETE Statement: Carefully review your SQL DELETE statement to prevent unintended data loss. Use parameterized queries to avoid SQL injection vulnerabilities.

• Make Authentication: Confirm proper authorization and access credentials for both your Airtable and PostgreSQL connections within the Make scenario.

Still running into issues? Share your (sanitized) config files, the exact command you ran, and any other relevant details. The community is here to help!