Send a Slack message when a Google Doc is updated
Document changes happen invisibly. By the time your team sees an update in Google Drive, it's old news and the moment to act has passed. This automation posts every update to Slack so nobody falls behind.
Trigger
Document Updated
Triggers when an existing Google Doc is updated or modified. This trigger monitors Google Docs and fires when documents are updated.
Action
Post message to channel
Deprecated: posts a message to a slack channel, direct message, or private channel. use `send message` instead.
Why this helps
Your team collaborates on Google Docs but important changes go unnoticed. People work in parallel on outdated information, duplicating work or missing crucial details. Without a central alert, changes feel like surprises.
- Team stays in sync without constantly checking Google Drive
- Catch document changes in real time
- Reduce duplicate work caused by outdated information
- Centralizes document discussion in Slack
Setup
Build it in a few focused steps.
- 1Connect Google Docs and Slack in your Notis portal.
- 2Create a new Automation: 'When [doc name] is updated, post to [Slack channel] with a summary of the change.'
- 3Select 'integration_event' and pick 'Document Updated.'
- 4Specify which Slack channel should receive the updates.
- 5Test by editing the Google Doc and verifying the Slack update appears within seconds.
Questions about this workflow
Will every keystroke trigger a Slack post?
No. Notis batches updates intelligently so you don't get spammed. Tell Notis your preference—e.g., 'post after a short pause in editing' or 'batch updates every 5 minutes.'
Can I filter which types of edits trigger a post?
Yes. Describe what matters to you: 'only post major additions' or 'notify on edits to specific sections.' Notis will focus on those changes.
Does the Slack post include details about what changed?
It can. Ask Notis to include a summary of the changes, the editor's name, or just a notification with a link. You control the level of detail.
When this happens · Trigger
Do this · Action
Supported Triggers and Actions
Notis builds workflows that link Google Docs to Slack. A trigger fires from one place; an action lands in another.
Google Docs triggers
Slack actions
New Document Created
Triggers when a new Google Doc is created. This trigger monitors Google Docs and fires when new documents are detected. Uses timestamp filtering to efficiently poll for new documents.
Set snooze duration
Deprecated: turns on do not disturb mode for the current user, or changes its duration. use `set dnd duration` instead.
Document Deleted
Triggers when an existing Google Doc is deleted (moved to trash). This trigger monitors Google Docs and fires when documents are trashed.
Add a custom emoji to a Slack team
Deprecated: adds a custom emoji to a slack workspace given a unique name and an image url. use `add emoji` instead.
Document Placeholder Filled
Triggers when a Google Doc's plain text changes such that a configured placeholder token/pattern is no longer present (i.e., the document has been filled in). This trigger monitors a specific Google Doc and fires when a placeholder pattern that was previously present is no longer found in the document's plain text.
Add an emoji alias
Adds an alias for an existing custom emoji in a slack enterprise grid organization.
Document Search Update
Triggers when a Google Doc matching a user-defined search query is newly created or updated since the last poll. This trigger uses timestamp filtering to efficiently monitor documents.
Add a remote file
Adds a reference to an external file (e.g., google drive, dropbox) to slack for discovery and sharing, requiring a unique `external id` and an `external url` accessible by slack.
Document Structure Changed
Triggers when a Google Doc's structure changes (headers/footers added/removed, tables/images count changes). This trigger monitors a specific document for structural changes like: - Headers added or removed - Footers added or removed - Tables added or removed - Images (inline objects) added or removed - Positioned objects added or removed - Footnotes added or removed
Add a star to an item
Stars a channel, file, file comment, or a specific message in slack.
Document Updated
Triggers when an existing Google Doc is updated or modified. This trigger monitors Google Docs and fires when documents are updated.
Add call participants
Registers new participants added to a slack call.
Document Word Count Threshold
Triggers when a Google Doc's word/character count crosses a user-defined threshold. This trigger monitors a specific Google Doc and fires when its word or character count becomes greater than or equal to the configured threshold value.
Add emoji
Adds a custom emoji to a slack workspace given a unique name and an image url; subject to workspace emoji limits.
New Folder Created in Root
Triggers when a new folder is created in the root folder of Google Drive. This trigger monitors Google Drive and fires when new folders are detected in the root directory.
Add reaction to message
Adds a specified emoji reaction to an existing message in a slack channel, identified by its timestamp; does not remove or retrieve reactions.
Connect any two apps with Notis in the middle.
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When this happens · Trigger
Do this · Action
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