Correct syntax for forumla

Question

Hi all...I have text field that I am trying to pull data in from outside via an API call as the result of input from a field called REGO.Text formula is..https://www.carregistrationapi.com/api/reg.asmx/CheckAustralia?RegistrationNumber=[REGO]&amp;State=QLD&amp;username=XXXXXFor whatever reason the syntax of above must be wrong, any assistance appreciated.Cheers.------------------------------damien page------------------------------

blakeharrison · Answer

If you're building a Text formula, you have to put anything you want "hard coded" into double quotes and then connect your pieces with ampersands, like this:
"this is some text I want printed" &amp; [some field] &amp; "here is some more text I want"​------------------------------Blake Harrisonbharrison@datablender.ioDataBlender - Quickbase Solution ProviderAtlanta GA404.800.1702 / http://datablender.io/------------------------------

damienpage · Answer

Hi Blake.The output from above is via JSON so still unsure how to structure the syntax.Cheers,Damien------------------------------damien page------------------------------

blakeharrison · Answer

Ok, so let's back up. The URL that you're wanting to build - how are you planning to use that? If you're wanting to connect to an external system using their API and then use the response to Post data back to Quickbase, you'll have to use Pipelines or similar automation service to do this. If you use Pipelines, you don't need to build a Formula Text field to generate the URL on the table, you can just build that right in the Pipeline setup.

------------------------------
Blake Harrison
bharrison@datablender.io
DataBlender - Quickbase Solution Provider
Atlanta GA
404.800.1702 / http://datablender.io/
------------------------------

damienpage · Answer

Hi Blake.Our users in the field would type in a vehicle registration number [rego].Then ideally, the vehicle type field would be generated as a result of JASON response from the API call.All details would need to be completed prior to the form being saved.------------------------------damien page------------------------------

blakeharrison · Answer

Unfortunately, that's not possible. Formulas cannot call an API on their own, this would have to be triggered by either a user clicking a button or via Pipelines, based on the save action. What you're wanting to do cannot be done with a button click alone, so you will need to utilize Pipelines and your process will probably be something like this:

User adds/edits a record and inputs the Registration Number
User saves the record
Pipelines is triggered based on Add/Modify action where [rego] has been changed

Pipelines calls the API
Pipelines updates the record from the trigger action based on information received from the API call

With your Pipelines setup, you will probably have to use some of the JSON steps since you need to call an API and act on the response. Hopefully, others can assist you with that part as I have not utilized those features in Pipelines.------------------------------Blake Harrisonbharrison@datablender.ioDataBlender - Quickbase Solution ProviderAtlanta GA404.800.1702 / http://datablender.io/------------------------------

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Correct syntax for forumla