How to merge Airtable attachments into one PDF using Make

When working with Airtable, it's often necessary to merge Airtable attachments into a single PDF to simplify document management, sharing, and storage. Many users have expressed the need for this kind of automation, whether they want to merge PDF attachments or convert image attachments to a PDF.

I have a form that generates a single record that has multiple attachment fields. I am trying to find a way with either a script or an automation to pull all the different attachments together and print.

I'm looking for suggestions on the best method to combine multiple attachments within a record. Essentially I need a button/formula/automation for each row in my table to act as Adobe's "Combine Files" function in Acrobat.

This guide provides two specific use cases for addressing this issue:

1. Merge PDF attachments — Use the Merge PDF action in Make when your Airtable attachments are already in PDF format.
2. Merge image attachments and convert to PDF — Use the Convert Images to PDF action to compile image attachments into a single PDF.

In both cases, the generated PDF file will automatically be attached back to the original Airtable record in a new column, ensuring easy access and reference to the final document.

Further in the article:

• Merge PDF attachments within Airtable record
• Merge image attachments within Airtable record
• Merge Airtable attachments with Plumsail Documents in Make.com
• Get started with Plumsail Documents

Merge PDF attachments within Airtable record

In this case, we'll combine multiple PDF attachments from Airtable records into a single consolidated PDF. This process is ideal for situations like combining contracts with corresponding invoices for streamlined document handling.

Imagine you're managing product orders, and each Airtable record in your base has PDF attachments for agreement and invoice. For seamless sharing with clients, it's useful to merge all documents into a single PDF, creating a cohesive, professional file.

Below is an example of an Airtable database where each record contains multiple PDF attachments. These attachments will be processed in Make to create a single, unified PDF document.

 

This is what the flow will look like for this scenario:

 

1. Retrieve records with PDF attachments

• Use the Airtable Search Records module in Make to gather records containing PDF attachments. You can use any Airtable trigger action that fits your requirements, like triggering when a record is created or modified.
• In the module, select the Airtable base and table that contain your data, and specify the attachment fields in the Output Fields section to include only necessary fields.

 

2. Process each PDF attachment individually

• Since each attachment field may contain multiple PDF files, the Iterator module allows you to separate each file's URL.
• In the Array field, specify the array of attachment URLs from Airtable Search Records. The Iterator will then handle each file URL individually.

 

3. Download each PDF file

• Now, using HTTP Get File, retrieve each PDF file from Airtable. This module downloads the files using URLs provided by the Iterator module.
• In the URL field, insert the file URL generated in the previous step.

 

4. Aggregate PDFs for merging

• After retrieving each file, Control Flow Array Aggregator compiles these files into an array for processing in the next module.
• Start by adding the Plumsail Documents - Merge PDF module to the scenario. Then, set the data source to Control Flow Iterator and choose Plumsail Documents - Merge PDF module as the target structure type.

 

5. Merge PDFs into a single document

• In Merge PDF, consolidate all PDF files into one document.
• Enable the Map option and select the PDF Documents to Merge field. Then, choose the array from the Control Flow Array Aggregator module.
• This step combines all selected files into a single PDF.

 

6. Save the merged PDF to Google Drive

• Since Airtable only supports URLs, upload the merged PDF to Google Drive.
• In the Google Drive Upload File module, select the folder to save the file and set Source to Plumsail Documents Merge PDF.

 

7. Generate a share link

• Retrieve a shareable link for the merged file using Google Drive Get a Share Link.
• Specify the File ID from the Google Drive Upload File step, set Role to "Reader," and Type to Anyone for easy access.

 

8. Attach the PDF to the Airtable record

• Use Airtable Update a Record to attach the PDF from Google Drive link back to the original record.
• In Record ID, specify the record from Airtable Search Records. In the attachment field, add the new Google Drive URL.

 

9. Clean up (Optional)

• For cleanup, use Google Drive Delete a File/Folder to remove the file from Google Drive after processing.
• Enter the File ID from the Google Drive Upload File step to delete the file after updating Airtable.

 

The setup is complete. Now, the flow will automatically run on the schedule you set, merging PDF files for each record and attaching the final document back to it.

Merge image attachments within Airtable record

For this case, we'll convert multiple image attachments from Airtable records into a single PDF file. This is especially useful for creating visual presentations or product catalogs from image collections.

Suppose you manage a furniture catalog, and each Airtable record has image attachments of available items. You need to create a single PDF from these images to share a professional, polished catalog with clients.

Below is an example of an Airtable database with image attachments.

 

For this scenario, we will create the following flow:

 

1. Retrieve records with image attachments

• Start by using Airtable Search Records to pull records containing image attachments. Another option is to use any Airtable trigger action that meets your needs, like triggering when a record is created or updated.
• Select the relevant Airtable base and table and specify the attachment field in Output Fields section to include only necessary image URLs.

 

2. Process each image individually

• Use Iterator to process multiple image URLs individually from each attachment field.
• In Array, specify the array of image URLs from Airtable Search Records. This module will iterate through each URL for separate processing.

 

3. Download each image file

• With HTTP Get File, retrieve each image file from Airtable by its URL.
• Enter the URLs from Control Flow Iterator to download each image for further conversion.

 

4. Aggregate images for conversion

• Use Array Aggregator to combine the images into a single array, preparing them for conversion in the next step.
• Select Control Flow Iterator as the source and set the target structure to Plumsail Convert Images to PDF. This option will appear in the dropdown list once added to the flow.

 

5. Convert images to a single PDF

• Using Convert Images to PDF, consolidate all images into a single PDF.
• Activate the Map option, then in the Images field, select the array generated by the Control Flow Array Aggregator module.
• This action creates a single PDF containing all images in one cohesive document.

 

6. Save the PDF to Google Drive

• Since Airtable requires URLs for attachments, upload the new PDF to Google Drive.
• In Google Drive Upload File, select a folder and set Source to Plumsail Documents Convert Images to PDF for automatic upload.

 

7. Generate a share link for access

• Generate a shareable link for the PDF in Google Drive Get a Share Link.
• Enter the File ID from Google Drive Upload File and set Role to "Reader" and Type to "Anyone."

 

8. Attach the PDF to the Airtable record

• Finally, use Airtable Update a Record to attach the PDF from the Google Drive link to the original Airtable record.
• Choose the attachment field in Airtable and insert the generated link.

 

9. Clean up (Optional)

• Optionally, use Google Drive Delete a File/Folder to clean up after the process by removing the file from Google Drive.
• Enter the File ID from the Google Drive Upload File step to delete the file after updating Airtable.

 

This workflow converts multiple images from Airtable into a single PDF and attaches the file to the original Airtable record. The Plumsail Documents Convert Images to PDF action combines conversion and merging in one step, eliminating the need for Merge PDF.

Merge Airtable attachments with Plumsail Documents in Make.com

In this guide, we covered two key Plumsail Documents modules in Make for handling Airtable attachments:

1. Merge PDF — for combining multiple PDF attachments (e.g., contracts or invoices) into a single file, making it ideal for managing related documents in one place.
2. Convert Images to PDF — for compiling image attachments (e.g., product photos or receipts) directly into a unified PDF, without needing an extra merge step.

Both modules automate attachment handling, saving time and linking the final PDF back to Airtable for easy access and organized storage.

Get started with Plumsail Documents

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