How do I use external actions in AutoConvert?

External actions allow you to send application data and information out of AutoConvert to a 3rd party application via an API.

For example:

• Update your accountancy software with paid-out deals
• Populate e-sign services (Signable, DocuSign, etc.)

If you want to use external actions, you'll need some technical knowledge of integrating with APIs and building JSON requests. 

How to set up an external action

1. Head to ‘Settings’
2. Then go to ‘Automation’
3. Then select ‘External actions’
4. Select 'Actions', then 'Add external action'
5. Add a name to help identify it
6. Add the endpoint for the API you want to connect to
7. Select the 'Replacement fields' you want to be able to send
8. Then build your payload on the right-hand side by selecting 'Add' for each data point
9. Select 'Preview' to see the JSON data
10. Once you're happy, select 'Save changes'

Supported authentication types

Four authentication types and currently supported:

• No auth
• Basic auth
• Token auth (OAuth)
• Header auth

If you need to set up token auth, you can do that by selecting ‘Add auth config’ from the top right. Once this is done, the authentication you set up becomes available within the main external action’s user interface.

How to trigger the external action

1. Head to 'Settings'
2. Then 'Automation'
3. Select ‘Configure’ and set up the necessary automation trigger and any rules you need
4. When you go to the possible actions, you need to select ‘Trigger external action’. This will then show you all the external action templates you’ve got set up. You just need to select the appropriate one.