For those who have a list of file URLs that would like to turn into Airtable attachments. Instead of uploading attachments one by one, you can use this automation to upload all of them at once. Whether you have single or multiple URLs in a record, all of them will be uploaded and imported in their assigned field.
Supported Features
- Processing multiple URLs (different fields or comma separated)
- Dropbox share URLs. Example: https://www.dropbox.com/s/a1b2c3d4ef5gh6/example.docx?dl=0
- Google Drive share URLs. (only public ones, not private!)
Example: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kazyfB4JHoZSmczN-FBVXB4C8qN5b46G/view?usp=sharing
Troubleshooting
My new attachment thumbnails are showing as gray icons, why?
These placeholders mean that Airtable is still working on generating your thumbnails. This process takes time. Just wait!
When I click on an attachment, I see this!
This is also Airtable processing your files. It could take hours and will resolve on its own. Don’t worry!
Some of my URLs have not been converted, why?
Make sure those are publicly accessible -not protected- files (example: they end with a file format like .jpg, .png, .pdf, etc).
Dropbox URL has not been converted, why?
First make sure the link is still working by opening it in your browser. Then make sure it is public, not private.
Google Drive URL has not been converted, why?
Shared file has to be public on the web. Any other choice won’t work.
I have urls that are pre-generated but don’t necessarily have images yet. Over time they are filled in but I would need to push for new images at different intervals. The question I have is how this is controlled?
The way our extension works is that it can be set to be run regularly. And every time it runs, it takes your URLs and upload them to Airtable as attachments. You can decide whether to replace existing attachments or skip the record if attachments already exist. If your URLs do not have images yet (aka invalid) then the field will be filled with a placeholder.
Can this import files from OneDrive or SharePoint?
It depends, but as long as you can have files with public accessible URLs on the internet, then they can be imported in Airtable.
I am trying to create a field that converts an image URL to an image file in Airtable. Is this possible?
Yes, you can use this extension to convert file URLs to attachments in Airtable.
Would it be possible to import Dropbox images directly to Airtable?
Yes, you would need to provide the share links for each file that you would like to upload and add them to Airtable.