How to Create Your First Zap
Learn how to create your first Zap in Zapier. Connect two apps, map data fields, test your automation, and start saving time in minutes.
Step-by-step
How to Create Your First Zap
Choose your trigger
Click '+ Create' then 'Zaps'. Search for your trigger app (the app that starts the workflow). Select the specific trigger event — for example, 'New Form Submission' in Typeform or 'New Row' in Google Sheets.
Configure the trigger
Authenticate the trigger app if you haven't already. Select the specific account, spreadsheet, form, or resource to monitor. Click 'Test trigger' to pull in sample data — this data will be used to map fields in the next step.
Set up the action
Click the '+' below the trigger to add an action step. Search for your destination app (e.g., Mailchimp, Slack, Salesforce). Choose the action event (e.g., 'Add Subscriber', 'Send Channel Message', 'Create Lead').
Map your fields
For each field in the action, click the field and select data from your trigger. For example, map 'Email' from the form submission to the 'Subscriber Email' field in Mailchimp. You can combine static text with dynamic data.
Test and publish
Click 'Test step' to execute the action with your sample data. Check the destination app to confirm the record was created correctly. If it works, click 'Publish'. Your Zap is now live and will run automatically.
Tips
Pro tips
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Always test your trigger first to make sure Zapier is pulling in the right sample data before mapping fields
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Use the 'Insert Data' dropdown in action fields to see all available fields from previous steps
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If a field mapping looks wrong in the test, edit it and re-test — don't publish until the test output is correct
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Zapier saves drafts automatically, so you can close and come back to finish setting up later
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