How can I fix the required slug field issue when integrating Webflow with Zapier for sending form data into CMS?
TL;DR
- Add a unique, URL-safe slug to the Webflow CMS action in your Zap by combining form data with a timestamp or Zap ID.
- Use Zapier Formatter to clean the slug (e.g., replace spaces/special characters) and test to confirm it works.
If you're sending form data from Webflow into the CMS via Zapier and see an error about the required slug field, it means Webflow expects a unique "slug" for the CMS item, but you're not passing one. Here’s how to fix it:
1. Understand the Slug Requirement
- A slug is a URL-friendly version of a CMS item's title, often used to construct the item’s page URL.
- Webflow requires this for all CMS items, whether you're creating them manually or via integrations like Zapier.
2. Create a Slug in Your Zap
- In your Zap (usually a "Create Item in Webflow CMS" action), add a field that maps to the "Slug".
- Use a unique and URL-safe string (e.g., use form fields like a combination of name and timestamp).
Example combinations:
- {{Name}}-{{Zap Meta Timestamp}}
- {{Email}}-{{Zap Meta ID}}
Just remove spaces and special characters using Zapier Formatter if needed.
3. Use Zapier Formatter (Optional but Recommended)
If the form fields may contain spaces or special characters:
- Add a "Formatter" step before the Webflow action.
- Use Text → Replace to:
- Replace space characters with hyphens.
- Optionally, remove or replace special characters like @, !, &, etc.
- Then feed this cleaned version into the Slug field in the Webflow CMS step.
4. Confirm Slug Uniqueness
- Webflow requires slugs to be unique within a CMS collection.
- Adding a timestamp or a Zapier unique ID (like Zap Meta ID) ensures uniqueness.
5. Test Your Zap
- After setting up the slug, run a test submission to ensure successful item creation.
- If it fails, double-check that:
- The slug is passed and not blank.
- It contains valid URL characters (alphanumeric and hyphens are safe).
Summary
To resolve the required slug field issue in a Webflow-Zapier integration, include a unique, URL-safe string in the "Slug" field of the Zap's CMS action—ideally by combining form data with a timestamp or unique ID. Use Zapier Formatter if needed to clean the slug input.