Exporting data: key concepts
Now that we’ve completed our Parabola Flow, it’s time to run our Flow and action on our data.
Building challenge
In this challenge, we’ll export our data via email.
- To the right of the card titled “Categorize products with AI”, add a new card titled “Trigger an email” and add an Email a file attachment step to the card
- Within the Email a file attachment step…
- Enter your personal email in the Email Recipients field
- Make the subject: Parabola University Demo
- Make the email body: Demo
- Click the Run Flow button
- Find the email in your inbox
Check your work ▼
Exporting and Actioning on Your Data in Parabola
Now that we’ve pulled in data from multiple sources, transformed it, and even leveraged AI, it’s time to take action on that data. This might involve:
✅ Sending data to external systems (e.g., Google Sheets, Shopify, APIs)
✅ Building databases that live in Parabola
✅ Creating dashboards and visualizations for better insights
Where to Find Export Options
Under the Integrations tab, you’ll find Destinations, which include:
- Parabola Tables – Databases that can store up to 5 million records and make it easy to share standardized datasets across flows.
- Visualizations – Custom charts, graphs, and tables to build dashboards for your team.
Beyond these, Parabola also supports:
- Google Sheets & Shopify exports
- Email and Slack notifications
- Custom API calls
Example: Sending a CSV via Email
One of the most common exports is the Email a CSV Attachment step. Here’s how to set it up:
- Connect the step to the rest of your flow.
- Enter the recipient’s email address.
- Set the subject line (e.g., "Parabola University Demo").
- Click ‘Update Results’—but note that this won’t send the email yet.
Running Your Flow to Send Data
Unlike transformations that update instantly, sending data to external systems requires running your flow.
- Click Run Flow in the top-right corner.
- Until you click ‘Run Flow’, everything remains in a sandbox environment, meaning no data is sent.
- Once the flow runs, the email with the CSV attachment will appear in your inbox.
Working with Drafts
Parabola allows you to create drafts, so you can experiment safely without affecting your production workflow.
Next Steps: Tables & Visualizations
Now that we’ve covered the basics of exporting data, the next lesson will focus on Parabola Tables and Visualizations.
Try It Yourself!
Check out the building challenge below to practice sending data to external systems. Let us know if you have any questions! 🚀