This article provides an overview of how and when Knack's Flows can be triggered based on various record operations across the platform.
This article contains the following sections:
How can a Flow be triggered with the Knack connector?
In Knack, Flows can be triggered by various operations across the platform. Below is a breakdown of when Flows can be triggered based on different actions:
Live App Triggers:
- Record Update: When a record is updated in the Live App, Flows can be triggered.
- Record Delete: When a record is deleted in the Live App
- This includes instances where Calendar view events are deleted, as well as scenarios involving record deletions executed through an API call.
- Record Created: When a record is created in the Live App
- Form Submission (Live App or API): When a Form view is submitted, regardless of whether the submission occurs through the Live App or via the API
- Inline Edits: When records are updated via inline edits in views
Cascading Updates (Parent-Child Table Relationships):
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Formula Fields: When changes to child table records affect parent-table records, such as through aggregated fields like "Order Total" or "Line Items Count", Flows on the parent-table can be triggered.
Example: A parent record (e.g., Invoice) can trigger Flows if any child records (e.g., Invoice Line Items) are modified. -
Equation Fields: Similarly, if changes to child table records affect equation fields in a parent-table, this will trigger a Flow on the parent table.
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Form Record Actions (Connected Records): When a form’s record action updates or inserts connected records, this action can trigger Flows on the parent table.
Tip: Learn more about table relationships here: Parent, Child, & Grandparent Tables
Builder Triggers:
- Record Update and Record Create (API and Builder): Whenever a record is created or updated with either the API or via the Builder, Flows can be triggered.
- Any deletion of records in the Builder will not trigger "Record deleted" Flows. This includes when a single record is deleted.
- Data Table Area Edits: Manual edits made directly in the Data Table within the Builder can also trigger Flows.
- Cascading Operations: Similar to the Live App, changes in child-table records that affect parent-tables can trigger Flows on the parent-table.
Upcoming 2025 Updates:
Below are improvements planned for the Knack connector within Flows. However, timelines and scope for these updates subject to change based on Knack's discretion and customer feedback:
- Conditional Rule Edits: Upcoming in 2025, when a conditional rule is edited and saved, the system will re-evaluate all existing records.
- New options will include:
- A checkbox for "Trigger any corresponding Flows on this action?" (default: unchecked).
- A checkbox for "Apply this condition to all existing records?" (default: no).
- New options will include:
-
Importing (Builder):
- A checkbox for "Trigger any corresponding Flows on this action?" will be added for imports, with the default set to unchecked.
-
Data Table Bulk Delete (Builder):
- For bulk deletions in the Data Table, there will be a checkbox for "Trigger any corresponding Flows on this action?" with the default set to unchecked. This will apply to the following scenarios:
- All records on the page are selected for deletion
- Some records on the page are selected for deletion
- "Batch Delete" through wizard selection criteria
- "Delete All Records" action
- For bulk deletions in the Data Table, there will be a checkbox for "Trigger any corresponding Flows on this action?" with the default set to unchecked. This will apply to the following scenarios:
Exclusions:
- Tasks: Tasks do not trigger any affiliated Flows, regardless of the action performed by the Task (e.g., updating records, inserting connected records, sending emails).
- Any deletion of records in the Builder will not trigger "Record deleted" Flows. This includes when a single record is deleted and any bulk deletions.
- Importing records will not trigger "Record created" or "Record updated" Flows.
- Batch Updates done via the Builder will not trigger "Record updated" Flows.