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How to configure Webhooks

What is a Webhook? #

Think of a webhook as a doorbell for your apps. When something happens in XLPrompt (like converting Excel data to JSON), it can automatically “ring the doorbell” of another app by sending the data there instantly.

Why Use Webhooks with XLPrompt? #

XLPrompt’s webhook feature lets you automate what happens after you convert your Excel data to JSON. Instead of manually copying and pasting data into other tools, webhooks send it automatically.

Common Use Cases

✅ Send data to AI tools, Automatically process your Excel data with ChatGPT, Claude, or custom AI models
✅ Update databases, Push converted data directly into Airtable, Google Sheets, or your database
✅ Trigger workflows, Start automated processes in your business tools
✅ Log and track, Keep records of all data conversions in your CRM or project management tool
✅ Notify teams, Send Slack or Teams messages when data is processed

Webhook Integration with No-Code Tools #

The best part? You don’t need to be a programmer. Popular no-code automation platforms make it easy to receive data from XLPrompt.

All of these platforms provide a webhook URL that you can paste into XLPrompt’s settings.

How to Set Up Webhooks in XLPrompt #

Step 1: Get Your Webhook URL

First, create a webhook in your automation platform.

Example: Pabbly Connect

  1. Create a new workflow
  2. Select “Webhook” as the trigger
  3. Copy the webhook URL

Step 2: Configure XLPrompt

  1. Open XLPrompt settings
  2. Go to the “Webhook” tab
  3. Check “Enable Webhook Integration”
  4. Paste your webhook URL
  5. Click “Save & Close”

Step 3: Test the Connection

  1. Click the “Test Webhook” button in settings
  2. Check your automation platform, you should see a test message arrive
  3. If successful, you’re ready to go

Advanced Configuration #

Authentication (Optional)

Some webhooks require authentication for security.

  1. Header Name, The authentication header (e.g., Authorization, X-API-Key)
  2. Header Value, Your secret token or API key (e.g., Bearer abc123xyz)

Example:

Header Name: X-API-Key
Header Value: your-secret-key-here

Response Output Options

Choose where XLPrompt shows the webhook response.

  • Show in MessageBox, Simple popup with success or error message (default)
  • Create New Sheet, Response appears in a new Excel worksheet
  • Output to Selected Cell, Response goes into the cell you selected

Timeout Settings

Timeout (seconds), How long to wait for a response (default: 30 seconds)

  • Increase for slow APIs or complex processing
  • Range: 1 to 300 seconds (5 minutes max)

Understanding the Data Format #

XLPrompt sends your Excel data as JSON, a universal format that all modern tools understand.

Example: What Gets Sent

When you select this Excel data:

Name Age City
Alice 28 NYC
Bob 35 LA

XLPrompt sends this JSON:

{
  "data": [
    {"Name": "Alice", "Age": 28, "City": "NYC"},
    {"Name": "Bob", "Age": 35, "City": "LA"}
  ]
}

You can also include:

  • Custom prompts, Instructions for AI processing
  • Context, Additional information about the data
  • Metadata, Workbook name, sheet name, timestamp, etc.

Troubleshooting #

❌ “Webhook request failed”

Possible causes:

  • Invalid webhook URL, double-check you copied it correctly
  • Webhook expired, some platforms have temporary URLs
  • Network connection issue, check your internet

Solution: Click “Test Webhook” to verify the URL works

❌ Timeout Error

Possible causes:

  • Webhook endpoint is slow to respond
  • Complex processing taking too long

Solution: Increase timeout in settings (30 to 60 seconds usually works)

❌ Authentication Failed

Possible causes:

  • Wrong header name or value
  • Expired API key

Solution: Verify authentication details with your platform’s documentation

Security Best Practices #

  • Keep your webhook URLs private, They work like passwords for your automations
  • Use authentication when available, Adds extra security
  • Monitor usage, Check your automation platform for unexpected activity