Reduce operations for a beginner

[Nik_RB]

Hi there,
I am a bit of a newbie to Make/Automation, and I’m wondering if I can do things more efficiently.

I have created a scenario that checks for any new attachments added to an Airtable record, then checks if the attachment exists in Dropbox and if it doesn’t, uploads it to Dropbox.

This works well. But what I am noticing is as the number of attachments grows in any specific Airtable record, the number of operations used to run the scenario is increasing quickly.

An Airtable record with 16 attachments will use around 70 operations to move a single file across to Dropbox. Some of these records will quickly get 100’s of attachments in them which will require large amounts of operations to move a new single file.

Is there a better way to do this?
Is there a way I can simply look for new files and transfer them if they’re newer than the last operation run… or something similar?

Thanks in advance
Nik

[samliew]

Welcome to the Make community!

1. What are you iterating?

2. Why do you need a transform to JSON module?

3. Why do you need to download a file to check if it’s in Dropbox? Can’t you check using the file name first, and if it doesn’t exist THEN you download the file?

For further assistance, please provide the following:

1. Screenshots of module fields and filters

Please share screenshots of relevant module fields and filters in question? It would really help other community members to see what you’re looking at.

You can upload images here using the Upload icon in the text editor:

2. Scenario blueprint

Please export the scenario blueprint file to allow others to view the mappings and settings. At the bottom of the scenario editor, you can click on the three dots to find the Export Blueprint menu item.

^{(Note: Exporting your scenario will not include private information or keys to your connections)}

Uploading it here will look like this:

blueprint.json (12.3 KB)

3. And most importantly, Output bundles

Please provide the output bundles of EACH and EVERY modules by running the scenario, then click the white speech bubble on the top-right of each module and select “Download output bundles”.

A.

Save the bundle contents in your text editor as a bundle.txt file, and upload it here into this discussion thread.

Uploading it here will look like this:

bundle.txt (12.3 KB)

B.

If you are unable to upload files on this forum, alternatively you can paste the formatted output bundle in this manner:

• Either add three backticks ``` before and after the code, like this:

  ```
  <sup>input/output bundle content goes here</sup>
  ```

• Or use the format code button in the editor:
  

Providing the output bundles will allow others to replicate what is going on in the scenario even if they do not use the external service.

Following these steps will allow others to assist you here. Thanks!

[Nik_RB]

Hi @samliew
Thank you for the comprehensive instructions!

I’m not 100% sure why it has been set up the way it has. I was going back and forth with support. I think it may need to be iterated due to be being an array and it needed to be converted to JSON for Get a File. But I am unsure.

Reducing the amount fo downloading and checking to upload one file would be great if anyone can provide some tips or ideas. Thanks!

blueprint.json (24.0 KB)

1 - Airtable

1-Airtable.txt

2 - Iterator

2-Iterator.txt

3 - JSON - Bundle 1

3-json-bundle-1.txt

4 - HTTP Get a File

4 - HTTP Get a File.txt

5 - Dropbox Seach File/Folder

5 - Dropbox Search File or Folder.txt

6 - Dropbox Upload File

6 - Dropbox upload folder.txt