Query about Flow Charts

Welcome!

I noticed in your flowchart, which is well-documented, that you're using 'watch new rows'.

The issue seems to be that you are also updating those same rows.

Given this, you might consider implementing a recurring scenario to check for rows that exist but are missing data in the 'Image 1' column. After that process is complete, you could then run a sheet search again for rows where 'Image 1' data is present, but 'Image 2' data is missing.

This approach offers one way to cycle through the automation.

Additionally, since you likely have several similar operations occurring, you might find it beneficial to place the image creation tasks into a webhook scenario. This would allow you to process the sheets more cleanly.

Screenshot 2024-09-17 at 10.14.432560×1600 454 KB

This way, you can pass the Google Sheet row number to the image creation webhook, allowing it to update that specific row. You might also consider passing along which image number is being created to make it simpler to know which data column needs updating.

Hi Michael
Many thanks for your reply; I sincerely appreciate it!

My spreadsheet has all the necessary images pre-populated according to color and design match, hence the missing images. I have created a new POD (Print-On-Demand) store on Shopify and am now setting up Social Media Automation for my brand’s social channels.
Therefore, I don’t want to create new images as all images provided are custom-made.

My trigger is the spreadsheet (Watch New Row), which is already pre-populated on the sheet. (I’m unsure if the “Watch New Row” is necessary with the first module in place).
The first module is Tools (Increment Function), so it moves to the next row after the scenario is complete. This step works fine, as I have tested it.
After the subsequent two modules complete their work, the scenario is complete, and the next row is processed according to the scheduled time.

My query is, what step do I put between Perplexity and Instagram or wherever in the scenario -
When calling the image for the post and the image cell is empty, move to the next image in the same row. Is this maybe a Function setting where I say, “If cell empty, move to next?” if so, how do I set this up?

Thanks for the help…

Gary

Hiya Gary,

I believe I might be a bit unclear. Based on your initial description, it appeared you intended to push all images from Image 1 for the new rows, then proceed to Image 2, and subsequently Image 3. This contrasts with processing Row 1 with Images 1, 2, and 3, followed by the next row and its corresponding images.

Please clarify if my understanding is correct. Could you explain the rationale behind the first approach?

Is any information being written back to the spreadsheet? If not, the 'Watch Rows' module should likely be sufficient.

What is your reasoning for needing the increment function?

When using 'Watch' or 'Search' rows, Google Sheets returns bundles. Consequently, the scenario will automatically iterate through bundles 1, 2, and 3.

It might be beneficial if you could provide a screenshot or upload your scenario blueprint to offer more clarity.

Why do you believe something is required between Perplexity and Instagram? Doesn't the output from Perplexity directly integrate with Instagram, alongside the image from Google Sheets?

I feel that some context is missing to genuinely understand how to assist you more effectively.

Hi there,

Thanks again for your response. Hopefully, this revised diagram will clarify the scenario I'm aiming to create.

Please let me know if you're still having trouble understanding it or if a solution might not be feasible.

Flow Chart Query_Explanation1849×822 155 KB

Thank you for the explanation; I understand the concept of cycling through colors to avoid a bland appearance on the results page. That's a great suggestion.

Screenshot 2024-09-18 at 16.55.522340×1102 282 KB

One method to manage this is by employing modulo arithmetic. Since we have four columns of data to cycle through, I will use modulo four math.

Then, based on the cycle, we will insert the images in the desired sequential order, like this:

ABCD
BCDA
CDAB
DABC
ABCD
...

The tricky part is remembering that with modulo math, the sequence starts at 1, not 4, because 4 mod 4 results in zero.

Here is a video guide for the blueprint.json (65.0 KB).

Hi Michael

Thanks for the detailed response; I really appreciate the time and patience you've put into handling these kinds of requests.

I'll give it a try and update you on whether it works. I'm confident it will take me a few hours to figure out, but I understand the reasoning behind it.

Many thanks!

Gary

Hi Michael

I'm currently reviewing the flowchart you created, and it's very well done. I do have a few questions.
My sample spreadsheet currently lists only 5 products, but my actual inventory consists of 100 unique designs, each with 4-6 custom images. (This amounts to approximately 500 images, which translates to one post per day for 500 days of automation).

Question 1 - Based on your design, do I need to create 100 cycles (representing the total inventory) all connected to the router?
Question 2 - Should I then increase the number of “Set Multiple Variables” to six per cycle, as some products have up to 6 images?
Question 3 - Will the JSON string need to be updated to include all 100 products from the inventory list?
Question 4 - In your Blueprint, do I connect the JSON module to my spreadsheet to initiate the workflow?

If all these answers are yes, perhaps it would be more efficient for me to restructure my spreadsheet into 600 rows, treating each image as a separate scenario to streamline the process?

Either approach seems like a significant undertaking to set up this process for a spreadsheet that covers 500 days of posts.

The primary goal is to post once daily, featuring one image at a time, while also rotating through different colors.

What are your recommendations?

I truly appreciate your assistance...

Gary

Well, when you have a challenge, it's quite a significant one...

I overlooked that context earlier, and you are correct that the approach I suggested doesn't suit your requirements.

After you create the spreadsheet, does it undergo any changes? For instance, is this similar to a marketing campaign for each channel that is fully established and then handed over to automation for distribution?

While I wait for your reply, I will consider some ideas...

Hi Michael,

Apologies for the challenge; it's certainly keeping me on my toes!

To answer your question: Yes.

The spreadsheet contains a comprehensive list of products for my new e-commerce venture. It's pre-loaded with all the essential images, prompts, and videos to enable complete automation.

As my product catalog expands, I'll be updating the spreadsheet accordingly.

Once the Instagram and Facebook automation is finalized, I plan to replicate this workflow across YouTube, Pinterest, Twitter, and other platforms.

My ultimate objective is to achieve 100% social media automation for the upcoming year, allowing me to concentrate on Marketing and Advertising efforts.

Thank you once again for the excellent customer care and support; I truly appreciate it!

Gary

That’s a very clever approach to handle the upfront, large-scale work, allowing you to focus on more hands-on tasks.

I'm still considering this and would appreciate it if you could outline how you envision a week of this process unfolding, integrating all the platforms you intend to use.

Perhaps something like this:

• Day 1: Review spreadsheet, push product 1 (black) across all platforms.
• Day 2: Review spreadsheet, push product 1 (blue), product 2 (black) across all platforms.
• Day 3: Review spreadsheet, push product 1 (green), product 2 (blue), product 3 (black) across all platforms.
• And so on...

Walking through a typical week will be crucial for understanding the long-term implications.

Behind the scenes, my team will be developing training materials based on this use case, so I hope you'll bear with me as we work towards a robust solution.

Hi Michael

I thought I would create a video. Hopefully, it makes sense…
Excuse the sound quality, but I’m using my old laptop, as I left my Full HD webcam at home due to house-sitting for a friend this week.

Let me know if you have any problems viewing it.

Wow, that's a lot of information!

However, I'm still a bit unclear, but I think we're getting closer to understanding.

I believe what you're trying to achieve now is to post a different product each day, cycling through the available images. The goal is to avoid posting the same color sequence.

• Day 1, post product one, a shirt, starting with row 2 of your spreadsheet, and share the first image provided, which is Black.
• The next day, post product two, a shirt, but pull the image from the next color column, Sand Beige.
• On the third day, post product three, a shirt, and pull the image from the next color column, Royal Blue. Since Royal Blue isn't available, use Yellow.
• The fourth day, post product four, a shirt, and pull the image from the next color column, Forest Green.
• The fifth day, post product five, a cap, starting with the first color column image, Red.
• The sixth day, post product six, a cap, and pull the image from the next color column, Royal Blue.
• The seventh day, post product seven, a shirt, and pull the image from the next color column after Forest Green, which is Maroon.

Please let me know how to adjust my understanding.

You got it 100%, exactly as you explained it. The only difference is that the caps and mugs grab the image column by column, usually in numerical order. It’s the t-shirt colors that rotate.
Once the 100 products have posted an image each, it returns to product 1 and continues the process again with the following image: 2. After 100 posts, it recycles back to product 1 and image 3, and so on. Only the t-shirts rotate color.

To conclude, I spent the weekend rewriting my spreadsheet into one single image column, so we don’t have to worry about a solution now. I just simplified it by one column, as I mentioned in the video. As such, flow charts with fluctuations seem to cause problems in construction.

Thanks again for trying to resolve this; I sincerely appreciate your help…

Congratulations on reaching your solution.

Reflecting on the solution, I was considering recommending that instead of handling everything within a single scenario, we could divide the tasks.

One scenario could read the product and image spreadsheet to create a daily operation data structure in bulk. Subsequently, another scenario could read this daily operation data structure to post the information.

More interestingly, we could have multiple feeder spreadsheets for different product types, all consolidating into the daily operation data structure. This would allow for just one poster automation to manage everything, as the source data would be consistent.