Email trigger - Help & tutorials | Zoho Flow

Email trigger

The email trigger lets you parse data from formatted emails to automate workflows. This is ideal for automating workflows that involve emails that follow templates, such as invoices, cab receipts, payslips, and more. 

What is email parsing?

Email parsing allows you to extract data from incoming emails. The parsing can be configured to extract specific data fields from incoming emails. Doing so allows you to convert the contents of an email into easy-to-handle pieces of data.

How email trigger works

The Email Trigger lets you start your flow when an email with a predefined template reaches a pre mailbox. Once you configure the trigger with a sample email template, you can choose to send similarly templated emails any time you wish to trigger the flow. Our email parser will extract the data based on the sample template you have provided. This will be helpful to utilize the data in your emails as variables in your flow. 

How to configure email trigger

  1. In the My Flows section of Zoho Flow, click +Create, then Create flow.
  2. Enter the flow name, and optionally a description.
  3. Click Create.
  4. Select Email as the trigger.



  5. Click +Template to create a new template. 
  6. Send a sample email with the desired format to the provided mailbox address for parsing.
  7. Once the email is received, you are ready to configure the template. 
  8. In the template, highlight the positions of words or group of words where new data is likely to appear in subsequent emails.



    Note: These positions will be recorded as variables and the next time an email lands in your template's mailbox address. The values present in those positions will be available for execution.
  9. Provide labels for the variables.
  10. Take note of the mailbox address for the template you've configured. Send or forward similarly-formatted emails to this address to trigger your flow.



  11. After configuring, click Proceed and add actions to your workflow.
Tip: You can automate the sending of your preferred emails to Zoho Flow's mailbox by setting up Automatic forwarding of emails from your email service provider settings.


      Create. Review. Publish.

      Write, edit, collaborate on, and publish documents to different content management platforms.

      Get Started Now


        Access your files securely from anywhere

          Zoho CRM Training Programs

          Learn how to use the best tools for sales force automation and better customer engagement from Zoho's implementation specialists.

          Zoho CRM Training
            Redefine the way you work
            with Zoho Workplace

              Zoho DataPrep Personalized Demo

              If you'd like a personalized walk-through of our data preparation tool, please request a demo and we'll be happy to show you how to get the best out of Zoho DataPrep.

              Zoho CRM Training

                Create, share, and deliver

                beautiful slides from anywhere.

                Get Started Now


                  Zoho Sign now offers specialized one-on-one training for both administrators and developers.

                  BOOK A SESSION







                              Quick LinksWorkflow AutomationData Collection
                              Web FormsEnterpriseOnline Data Collection Tool
                              Embeddable FormsBankingBegin Data Collection
                              Interactive FormsWorkplaceData Collection App
                              CRM FormsCustomer ServiceAccessible Forms
                              Digital FormsMarketingForms for Small Business
                              HTML FormsEducationForms for Enterprise
                              Contact FormsE-commerceForms for any business
                              Lead Generation FormsHealthcareForms for Startups
                              Wordpress FormsCustomer onboardingForms for Small Business
                              No Code FormsConstructionRSVP tool for holidays
                              Free FormsTravelFeatures for Order Forms
                              Prefill FormsNon-Profit

                              Intake FormsLegal
                              Mobile App
                              Form DesignerHR
                              Mobile Forms
                              Card FormsFoodOffline Forms
                              Assign FormsPhotographyMobile Forms Features
                              Translate FormsReal EstateKiosk in Mobile Forms
                              Electronic Forms
                              Drag & drop form builder

                              Notification Emails for FormsAlternativesSecurity & Compliance
                              Holiday FormsGoogle Forms alternative GDPR
                              Form to PDFJotform alternativeHIPAA Forms
                              Email FormsFormstack alternativeEncrypted Forms

                              Wufoo alternativeSecure Forms

                              TypeformWCAG

                                All-in-one knowledge management and training platform for your employees and customers.

                                          Create. Review. Publish.

                                          Write, edit, collaborate on, and publish documents to different content management platforms.

                                          Get Started Now




                                                            You are currently viewing the help pages of Qntrl’s earlier version. Click here to view our latest version—Qntrl 3.0's help articles.




                                                                Manage your brands on social media


                                                                  • Desk Community Learning Series


                                                                  • Digest


                                                                  • Functions


                                                                  • Meetups


                                                                  • Kbase


                                                                  • Resources


                                                                  • Glossary


                                                                  • Desk Marketplace


                                                                  • MVP Corner


                                                                  • Word of the Day


                                                                  • Ask the Experts


                                                                    Zoho Sheet Resources

                                                                     

                                                                        Zoho Forms Resources


                                                                          Secure your business
                                                                          communication with Zoho Mail


                                                                          Mail on the move with
                                                                          Zoho Mail mobile application

                                                                            Stay on top of your schedule
                                                                            at all times


                                                                            Carry your calendar with you
                                                                            Anytime, anywhere




                                                                                  Zoho Sign Resources

                                                                                    Sign, Paperless!

                                                                                    Sign and send business documents on the go!

                                                                                    Get Started Now




                                                                                            Zoho TeamInbox Resources





                                                                                                      Zoho DataPrep Demo

                                                                                                      Get a personalized demo or POC

                                                                                                      REGISTER NOW


                                                                                                        Design. Discuss. Deliver.

                                                                                                        Create visually engaging stories with Zoho Show.

                                                                                                        Get Started Now








                                                                                                                            • Related Articles

                                                                                                                            • Email trigger

                                                                                                                              The Email trigger lets you start a flow when an email is received. It parses incoming emails and extracts data from them as variables, which you can use in subsequent steps of your flow. This is ideal for workflows that involve consistently formatted ...
                                                                                                                            • Schedule trigger

                                                                                                                              A schedule trigger starts your flow at a specific time or at regular intervals. Unlike app triggers, which depend on events in applications, schedule triggers run based on time. You can use schedule triggers to automate tasks that need to run ...
                                                                                                                            • RSS/Atom feed trigger

                                                                                                                              What is an RSS or Atom feed? An RSS or Atom feed is a structured data format used to deliver frequently updated content to users and apps. These feeds adhere to standards known as Really Simple Syndication (RSS) and Atom. RSS and Atom feeds enable ...
                                                                                                                            • App trigger

                                                                                                                              An app trigger starts a flow when a specific event occurs in a connected application. For example, the flow can start when a new record is created, an existing record is updated, or a supported event such as a payment, ticket, or meeting activity ...
                                                                                                                            • URL trigger

                                                                                                                              The URL Trigger allows you trigger a flow when new data is added to an API-backed URL that you've configured in it. In other words, Zoho Flow will send a GET request to a REST API endpoint, and the response data will be converted into usable data for ...
                                                                                                                              Wherever you are is as good as
                                                                                                                              your workplace

                                                                                                                                Resources

                                                                                                                                Videos

                                                                                                                                Watch comprehensive videos on features and other important topics that will help you master Zoho CRM.



                                                                                                                                eBooks

                                                                                                                                Download free eBooks and access a range of topics to get deeper insight on successfully using Zoho CRM.



                                                                                                                                Webinars

                                                                                                                                Sign up for our webinars and learn the Zoho CRM basics, from customization to sales force automation and more.



                                                                                                                                CRM Tips

                                                                                                                                Make the most of Zoho CRM with these useful tips.



                                                                                                                                  Zoho Show Resources