Can an Automation Delete a File Attachment?

Question

Hello,&nbsp;I have a Tasks table and occasionally will attach an image to a task that is being assigned to a user. &nbsp;An example of this would be attaching an image of a house as a reference point for a surveyor who will be surveying a property.When the task is completed, I would like to have an automation delete the now obsolete file attachment so that it doesn't take up space in my application.I have not found a way to do this. The automations menu does not even show my file attachment field when I try to set it up as an action. &nbsp;I'm guessing this is because it isn't possible. &nbsp;Am I missing something? If not, is there another way to do this?Thanks!Josh------------------------------Josh Collins------------------------------

markshnier__you · Answer

First of all, the whole process would be simpler if you had a child table of file attachments because then you could just delete the record.

I gather you want to retain the record but just remove the file attachment. There is a URL formula button that I could provide which would clear the file attachment on the push of a button. But you would need to push the button.

But if you actually really wanted to automated it's a little bit technical and we would probably have to work one on one and I could help you set up a process where a webhook would delete the file attachment.

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Mark Shnier (YQC)
Quick Base Solution Provider
Your Quick Base Coach
http://QuickBaseCoach.com
mark.shnier@gmail.com
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joshcollins · Answer

Hey Mark, I considered a separate table for attachments for the reason you suggested. But then the process to actually add the attachment gets much more cumbersome, ie- create new record for attachment, upload attachment, save record, select attachment from list in Task. It's more steps than manually deleting the attachment when completing a task. Is there another way to do this that I am not thinking about?

I was hoping that an automation could delete the attachment from the record being modified, so I ran with that option first.

Thanks!

Josh

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Josh Collins
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markshnier__you · Answer

You can use a webhook.&nbsp; This post here describes the technique.&nbsp; If you have never used a webhook before, I suggest sust that you play with a copy of your ap.&nbsp; post back if you get stuck.https://community.quickbase.com/communities/community-home/digestviewer/viewthread?MessageKey=cc763027-d027-4fe4-b424-8dd2f6c1bdaa&amp;CommunityKey=d860b0f8-6a48-487b-b346-44c47a19a804&amp;tab=digestviewer#bmcc763027-d027-4fe4-b424-8dd2f6c1bdaahere is some help on webhookshttps://help.quickbase.com/user-assistance/configure_a_webhook.htmlThe body should not need to be as complicated as what that post shows.&lt;qdbapi&gt;&lt;user token&gt;xxxxxxxxx&lt;/user token&gt;&lt;rid&gt;[record_id]&lt;/rid&gt;&lt;field fid="30" filename="delete"&gt;&lt;/field&gt;&lt;/qdbapi&gt;That would remove the field from field ID 30.You will need to set up a user token. https://help.quickbase.com/user-assistance/admin_console_user_tokens.html&nbsp;------------------------------Mark Shnier (YQC)Quick Base Solution ProviderYour Quick Base Coachhttp://QuickBaseCoach.commark.shnier@gmail.com------------------------------

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Can an Automation Delete a File Attachment?

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