Triggers

Triggers control when your columns execute by determining which data gets processed. While columns define what work to perform and schedules determine when to run, triggers identify when there's new information that needs processing.

What Are Triggers?

A trigger occurs whenever new data appears that your columns haven't processed yet. Think of triggers as the smart detection system that identifies when there's fresh work to be done, ensuring your automated workflows only process genuinely new information.

Triggers work hand-in-hand with scheduling to create your execution control system:

• Triggers determine which data gets processed (what information is new)
• Schedules determine when the processing happens (timing intervals)

This separation allows new data to continuously arrive while you control when your columns actually run their analysis or actions.

Common Trigger Patterns

New Data Arrivals

The most straightforward triggers occur when fresh data enters your systems. New customer interactions, recent transactions, or updated records automatically become available for your columns to process.

Filtered Triggers

Create targeted triggers using filtered datasets that focus on specific conditions. For example, if you're analyzing customer sentiment, you could set up triggers that only activate when negative feedback appears, focusing your alert workflows on problematic responses.

Time-Based Triggers

Configure triggers to activate based on time patterns - monthly reports, weekly summaries, or any other time-based automation your business needs.

Condition-Based Triggers

Set up triggers that activate when specific business scenarios occur, like when certain combinations of data conditions are met.

Triggers and Scheduling Working Together

Continuous Data, Controlled Processing

New triggers can accumulate throughout the day as fresh data arrives, but your schedule determines when columns actually process that backlog. This prevents your system from constantly running while ensuring no new data gets missed.

Batch Processing Efficiency

By collecting multiple triggers and processing them on a schedule, you can optimize resource usage and maintain predictable system performance, even when dealing with high-volume data streams.

Alert-Style Workflows

Some workflows benefit from more frequent checking. You might schedule sentiment analysis agents to run several times daily, processing any new negative feedback triggers for immediate team notification.

Strategic Trigger Design

Efficiency Through Focus

Well-designed triggers ensure your columns only process data that actually needs attention. Instead of reprocessing entire datasets, triggers focus computational resources on genuinely new or changed information.

Workflow Segmentation

Different types of data changes can create different trigger patterns, allowing you to build specialized workflows. Routine data updates might trigger daily processing, while urgent conditions could need more frequent attention.

Scalable Automation

As your data volume grows, smart trigger design ensures your automated workflows remain efficient. The system automatically scales your processing to match your data growth without requiring reconfiguration.

Practical Trigger Management

Filtered Dataset Strategy

Create filtered datasets focused on specific conditions to generate targeted triggers. This allows different columns to respond to different types of data changes without interfering with each other.

Schedule Coordination

Align your trigger patterns with appropriate schedules. High-frequency triggers might need frequent scheduling, while routine business processes can batch triggers for daily or weekly processing.

From Data Changes to Automated Actions

Triggers transform passive data monitoring into active business automation. Instead of manually checking for new information or changes, your systems automatically detect what needs attention and process it according to your business logic.

Whether you're monitoring for new customer issues, tracking business performance changes, or managing operational workflows, triggers ensure your automated intelligence focuses exactly where it's needed, when it's needed.