How to Build a Request Workflow in Zapier Tables and Slack

Zapier can combine powerful tools like Zapier Tables and Slack so your team can capture requests, track work, and automate updates without writing code. This how-to guide walks you through building a simple, scalable request workflow from the ground up.

The examples below are based on the workflows highlighted in the Zapier blog’s new and noteworthy apps update, showing how modern work apps can fit together into one streamlined system.

What You Need Before You Start in Zapier

To follow this tutorial, you will need:

• A Zapier account with access to Zapier Tables
• A Slack workspace where you can install apps
• Permission to create channels or use existing project channels
• A clear idea of the type of requests you want to collect (IT, ops, marketing, etc.)

The original feature overview for this setup is on the official Zapier blog page for Zapier Tables and Slack. Here, we translate that overview into a practical, step-by-step implementation guide.

Plan Your Workflow Before Building It in Zapier

Before creating anything, decide how work should move through your system. Answer these questions:

• Who can submit a request?
• What details do you need for each request?
• Where should updates be posted in Slack?
• Which statuses should a request move through (for example, New, In Progress, Done)?

Once you have those answers, you are ready to start building the workflow inside Zapier Tables and Slack.

Create Your Central Request Table in Zapier Tables

This table will be your system of record. Every request will live here while it moves through your process.

Step 1: Create a New Table in Zapier Tables

1. Open your Zapier dashboard.
2. Go to Tables in the main navigation.
3. Click New table and give it a descriptive name such as “Team Requests”.

This table will act like a lightweight database that powers your automation workflows in Zapier.

Step 2: Add the Right Fields

Next, add the columns that match your process. Common fields include:

• Request Title: Short summary of the request
• Description: Detailed explanation of what is needed
• Requester Name or Slack user
• Priority: Low, Medium, High
• Status: New, In Review, In Progress, Completed
• Created Date: Date the request was submitted
• Owner: Person or team handling the work

Use select fields for priority and status so automation in Zapier can easily filter and update them.

Step 3: Configure Basic Table Settings

Inside Zapier Tables you can:

• Set default values for new records (for example, Status = New).
• Hide fields not needed for day-to-day work.
• Create views that filter by status or owner.

These options keep your table clean and make it easier for your team to focus on active work.

Build a Request Form with Zapier Tables

To make it easy for anyone in your organization to submit work, turn your table into a form.

Step 4: Turn Your Table Into a Form

1. In your Zapier Tables view, find the option to create a form from your table.
2. Select which fields you want requesters to see.
3. Mark important fields such as Title and Description as required.
4. Customize the form title and description so users know what to submit.

The form will automatically create a new record in Zapier Tables every time someone submits it.

Step 5: Share the Form with Your Team

Next, distribute the request form link so people actually use it:

• Pin it in a Slack channel topic or description.
• Add it to your internal documentation or intranet.
• Share it in onboarding materials for new employees.

Once this form is live, you have a simple intake system powered by Zapier.

Connect Slack to Your Zapier Tables Workflow

Now you will connect Slack so your team can see and manage requests without leaving their primary communication tool.

Step 6: Install the Slack App in Zapier

1. In Zapier, go to Apps.
2. Search for Slack.
3. Connect your Slack workspace and grant permissions.

After connecting Slack, Zapier can send messages, post updates, or even create threads when new requests arrive in your table.

Step 7: Notify a Slack Channel for Each New Request

Create an automation that sends new table entries to Slack:

1. In Zapier, start a new automation using your table as the trigger.
2. Choose a trigger such as “New record in Zapier Tables”.
3. Select your request table.
4. Add an action step for Slack: “Send channel message”.
5. Map fields (Title, Description, Priority) into the Slack message text.
6. Optionally, include a direct link back to the record in Zapier Tables.

Now every time someone submits the form, your chosen Slack channel will receive a neatly formatted notification.

Manage Work Updates Between Slack and Zapier Tables

Once requests are flowing in, your team needs a reliable way to update statuses and keep everyone informed.

Step 8: Create Status Change Notifications in Zapier

Use additional automations to keep Slack in sync with Zapier Tables:

• Trigger on record updates when the Status field changes.
• Send a Slack message to the original request channel or user.
• Include the new status and any notes from the owner.

This ensures that progress updates are automatic, so no one needs to remember to send manual messages.

Step 9: Route Requests to the Right Slack Channels

You can also route different types of requests to different Slack channels using Zapier:

• Use conditional logic based on Priority or Category fields.
• Send high-priority items to a dedicated incident channel.
• Send routine tasks to your team’s main work channel.

Routing rules make sure the right people see the right work at the right time.

Monitor and Improve Your System in Zapier

Once your workflow is live, keep refining it with the data stored in your table and the conversations happening in Slack.

Step 10: Use Views in Zapier Tables to Track Progress

In Zapier Tables, set up custom views such as:

• New Requests: Filter where Status = New
• In Progress: Filter where Status = In Progress
• Completed: Filter where Status = Completed
• By Owner: Group by the Owner field

These views make it easy for managers and team leads to monitor workload and identify bottlenecks.

Step 11: Extend the Workflow with More Zapier Apps

Because everything runs through Zapier, you can connect additional apps as your needs grow, for example:

• Create tasks in project management tools when a record is created.
• Log completed work to spreadsheets or databases.
• Send summary reports by email or back into Slack each week.

To explore more possibilities and new integrations, you can review automation-focused resources or consult specialists such as Consultevo, who focus on automation strategy and tooling.

Best Practices for Using Zapier Tables with Slack

Keep your workflow effective and sustainable with these tips:

• Keep your forms short so people are not discouraged from submitting requests.
• Use consistent naming for statuses and priorities.
• Test each automation in Zapier with sample data before rolling it out.
• Document your process so new team members can onboard quickly.
• Regularly review which Slack channels receive notifications to prevent noise.

Next Steps: Scale Your Zapier Workflow

By combining Zapier Tables and Slack, you have built a flexible request system that can act as the backbone of many operational workflows. Start with one simple process, confirm that your forms, table, and Slack messages work smoothly, and then expand to additional teams or use cases.

Whenever you need a central place to store data and an easy way to notify people, you can rely on this same pattern inside Zapier: a structured table, a clear form, and focused Slack notifications working together to keep everyone aligned.

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