How can you update the column_values in an item retrieved via a connect_boards column

Platform discussions
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1

We are using CRM, and have an “Account” column on the “Deals” board that is a connect_board column type. using the API, I want to update a column on the first linked_item (i.e. the Account for the deal) when that Account gets created in an external system. I’m struggling to figure out how I structure the “columnValues” for this mutation, any suggestions? If I could get the boardId for the linked item, then it would be easy, but since I access the item through the connected column, I don’t have a boardId to use - can I update the Account column through the linked_items, or do I need to do something else?

2

Hi Paul,

I’m not an expert in this area so hopefully there’s is others who will support this one see something to test: To update a column on the first linked item (the “Account” in your case) using the API, you need to follow a series of steps to retrieve the necessary information and perform the update. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you with this process:

Steps to Update a Column on the First Linked Item:

  1. Retrieve the Linked Item ID:

    • Use the API to query the “Deals” board and get the item ID for the deal you are interested in.

    • Once you have the item ID for the deal, query the “connect_board” column to get the linked item IDs. This will give you the ID(s) of the “Account” items linked to the deal.

    graphql

    query {
  items(ids: [DEAL_ITEM_ID]) {
    column_values(ids: "connect_board_column_id") {
      value
    }
  }
}

    Replace DEAL_ITEM_ID with the actual item ID of the deal and connect_board_column_id with the ID of your connect_board column.

  2. Parse the Linked Item ID:

    • The response will include JSON data with the linked item IDs. Parse this JSON to extract the first linked item ID, which corresponds to the “Account.”

  3. Find the Board ID for the Linked Item:

    • Although you mentioned not having the board ID, you can usually infer it from your setup since the “Account” items are on a specific board. If you have access to the account board separately, you can use its ID directly.

  4. Update the Column on the Linked Item:

    • Use the change_column_value mutation to update the column on the linked item (the “Account”).
    graphql

    mutation {
  change_column_value(item_id: ACCOUNT_ITEM_ID, board_id: ACCOUNT_BOARD_ID, column_id: "column_to_update", value: "new_value") {
    id
  }
}

    Replace ACCOUNT_ITEM_ID with the ID of the linked account item, **ACCOUNT_BOARD_ID**with the ID of the board where the account resides, column_to_update with the ID of the column you wish to update, and new_value with the value you want to set.

Hopefully this should allow you to update a column on the first linked item effectively using the API. If you encounter any specific issues or need further assistance, feel free to ask!

3

Thanks, that all tracks with what I already knew, but Step #3 is the part that bothers me.

It makes little sense (to me) that you have to step outside of the API context to gather some information (board_id) that enables me to update an item that I retrieved through the API. In my specific use case, the item could have been created through a couple of different boards, so retrieving programmatically is much safer/more durable. Is there a way to retrieve the definition of a board that could tell me the column schema, including the board_id that the column refers to?

4

Hi Paul, I’m not exactly sure of the full scenario without more detail about your use case etc. If you want to have a call could review to see if I could support further?