Why can't I retrieve specific Airtable cell content using an identifier in my Python script?

Other Questions Airtable
1

I have written the following Python script, but I’m encountering an issue where certain cells cannot be retrieved, resulting in a not found error. Interestingly, when I attempt to fetch all fields, it works seamlessly. I’m using a URL parameter for this request. Below is the code I’m using:

from flask import Flask, render_template, request
import requests

app = Flask(__name__)

@app.route('/')
def loading():
    return render_template('loading.html')

@app.route('/result')
def result():
    submission_identifier = request.args.get('submission_id')
    airtable_endpoint = f"https://api.airtable.com/v0/apptIx6sSgAbZaIV8/fundfox/{submission_identifier}"
    headers = {
        "Authorization": "Bearer XXXXXXXXX"
    }
    response = requests.get(airtable_endpoint, headers=headers)
    response_data = response.json()

    specific_field_content = response_data.get('fields', {}).get('submission_id', 'No results found')

    print("Submission ID:", submission_identifier)
    print("Airtable Response:", response_data)
    print("Response Status Code:", response.status_code)
    return render_template('result.html', specific_field=specific_field_content)

if __name__ == '__main__':
    app.run(debug=True)

When I modify the script to obtain all fields, I successfully receive a response. Here is the modified part of the code:

response = requests.get(airtable_endpoint, headers=headers)
response_data = response.json()

# Retrieve all fields
fields = response_data.get('fields', {})

I also included a visual reference for the Airtable layout. What am I overlooking in this process?

  • I have changed the row format for the submission_id in Airtable.
  • I have modified the code several times.
2

One possible issue might be related to how the Airtable API retrieves individual records. When you’re trying to access a specific record using an identifier directly as part of the URL path like /{submission_identifier}, make sure that submission_identifier is indeed a valid record ID rather than a field value like ‘submission_id’. Airtable distinguishes between record IDs and field values. Use the record ID, which is usually a string starting with ‘rec’. If you’re trying to filter based on field values, you’d need a different endpoint structure or to use query parameters to filter data based on field contents as outlined in Airtable’s API documentation, usually through a filterByFormula parameter. Double-checking the structure of your API call can resolve the “not found” error.

3

Could be a prob w/ the URL. I think U need the actual record ID not just the field value. Check if the record ID starts with ‘rec’ as said earlier. Also, make sure to keep an eye on header authentication errors that don’t raise exceptions sometimes.

4

It sounds like you’re facing an issue with how Airtable’s API distinguishes between record IDs and field values. If you are providing an identifier expecting to retrieve a record, ensure that you’re using the correct record ID format. Keep in mind that using a direct identifier with a URL endpoint typically requires a valid record ID which Airtable generates automatically. Additionally, check if the ‘submission_id’ field value is unique across your records. If not unique, this could be why fetching by a specific identifier doesn’t work as expected. You might want to cross-verify any recent schema changes in Airtable that could impact your retrieval logic.