Introduction
This guide covers using Zamzar with the Zapier platform. No previous coding experience is needed, as a simple point and click interface is provided.
We cover step by step instructions for building your first Zapier integrations, allowing you to combine the Zamzar Developer API with other applications, such as Dropbox and Google Drive.
After following the steps here you will be able to convert new Dropbox files to a different file format using Zamzar, and save those files back out again to Dropbox or Google Drive.
What is Zapier?
Zapier is a platform for connecting apps together, without needing to write code.
Using a simple point and click interface you can setup workflows so that when a trigger happens in one app, you configure an action to be taken in another app.
For example, maybe you want to automatically convert files added to a Dropbox folder into a different file format, or convert new Gmail emails to PDF for archiving. Using Zamzar and Zapier you can!
Before you start
You'll need the following to proceed with the examples below:
- A free Zapier account. From there you can connect your Apps later.
- A free Zamzar API Developer account. From there you can view your Zamzar API Key which you will need later.
- A Dropbox and/or Google Drive Account.
- Two folders in Dropbox, one for files which need to be converted and one for converted files to be saved.
- A test file saved saved in the first folder, for example a .docx, .xls or .ppt file which can be converted to pdf.
Step 1 - Connect Apps to Zapier
To start using Zapier integrations you first need to connect your Apps. The easiest way to to do this is using your Zapier Dashboard once you've signed up:
- Log in to your Zapier Account.
- Navigate to "My Apps" from the top menu bar.
- Now click on "Connect new account" and search for "Zamzar".
- Use your Zamzar API Key to connect your Zamzar account to Zapier.
- Repeat the above steps to connect Dropbox and/or Google Drive by connecting your accounts for one or both Apps.
Step 2 - Create your first Zap
A Zap is Zapier terminology for a workflow, or a set of steps to connect one app with another app using triggers and actions. The most popular Zaps used by Zamzar customers connect file-based Apps with each other, for example Dropbox and Zamzar.
By following the examples below you will create a Zap to trigger a Zamzar conversion when a new file is saved in a Dropbox folder (example 1). We will then create another Zap to trigger a file to be saved back to a Dropbox folder once it has been converted by Zamzar (example 2). We then extend these samples to also save converted files to a Google Drive folder (example 3).
Example 1: Send new Dropbox files to Zamzar for conversion
We will now create a Zap to monitor a Dropbox folder and send new files from Dropbox to Zapier using a pre-made template. Click on 'Use this Zap' to get started:
Key Points:
- Most steps in a Zapier workflow follow the same principles of asking for an account to use and the configuration options associated with the App.
- For Dropbox, you will be asked for a Dropbox account and a folder to monitor
- For Zamzar, you will be asked for a Zamzar account, the file and a target format to convert the file to.
- Wherever you are asked for a File (not File Name), always select "File (Exists But Not Shown)".
- Zapier will search for samples to use as part of testing that the Zap works before it is enabled. So make sure you have some sample files to use.
Example 2: Save new Zamzar conversions to Dropbox
Now that we've created a Zap to send Dropbox files to Zamzar for conversion, we will create a new Zap to save converted files from Zamzar back to Dropbox. Click on 'Use this Zap' to get started:
Key Points:
- For Zamzar, you will be asked to filter converted files based on their filename and/or format. These are optional fields which you can skip for the purpose of this tutorial.
- For Dropbox, you will be asked for a folder to save converted files to. This should be a different folder than the folder you used in Example 1.
Example 3: Save new Zamzar conversions to Google Drive
The above two examples convert Dropbox files and save the converted files back to Dropbox, but what if you additionally wanted to save the converted files to Google Drive? You would simply use our pre-made template to do this:
Key Points:
- Google Drive provides similar configuration options to Dropbox. Field names might be different, but it's the same principle of asking for a file and a folder to save the file to.
- Ensure that wherever you're asked for a File, you select the "File (Exists But Not Shown)" option.
Step 3 - Explore your new Zaps
If you've followed all the examples above, you will now have 3 Zaps, one sending new Dropbox files to Zamzar for conversion, and two Zaps saving your converted files to Dropbox and Google Drive. Your Zaps can be viewed on the Zapier Dashboard.
Pre-Built Templates
Here are a selection of the most popular templates which you can use. For more templates, visit the Zapier integrations page.
Send files to Zamzar for conversion
Save files from Zamzar to cloud storage
Next steps
- Take some time exploring the Zapier Dashboard to view and edit the Zaps you created in the above examples, and view the history for each Zap.
- View the Zapier Help Pages for more information. It's worth becoming familiar with the Zapier platform to take advantage of the full capabilities.
- Once you have become familiar with Zapier, try creating a Zap from the Zapier Dashboard without using one of our pre-made templates. This will provide you with a better understanding of how to connect two or more apps to each other.
If you need any further help, contact us and we'll help you get up and running.