Glide

In this article, we will show you how to bulk delete data from a Glide Big Table (GBT) by utilizing the Glide API. This approach is especially useful when you need to transfer or clean up data across different apps while maintaining control over your dataset.

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- Begin by creating a Glide Big Table and import all necessary data.

- Name this column <code>Delete?</code>. This will be used as a flag to mark rows for deletion.

- This column will store the unique identifier for each row.

- Right-click on your GBT and select Show API.
- Choose the cURL option and select Delete rows. This will provide guidance on how to structure the API call for deleting rows. Copy the structure to your note.

1. Create Your GBT Table:
 - Begin by creating a Glide Big Table and import all necessary data.
2. Add a Boolean Column:
 - Name this column <code>Delete?</code>. This will be used as a flag to mark rows for deletion.
3. Add a RowID Column:
 - This column will store the unique identifier for each row.
4. Show the Glide API Settings:
 - Right-click on your GBT and select Show API.
 - Choose the cURL option and select Delete rows. This will provide guidance on how to structure the API call for deleting rows. Copy the structure to your note.

Create a JSON Object Column (Mutation Column):

- Name this column <code>Mutation</code>.
- Enter the following values into the JSON object:
 { "kind": "delete-row", "tableName": "name of your table in the Glide API", "rowID": "point it to your rowID column" }

- Configure this column to check the <code>Delete?</code> column.
- If <code>Delete?</code> is checked, return the value from the <code>Mutation</code> column; otherwise, leave it empty.

- Set this lookup to reference the If-Then-Else column.

- Source this from the Lookup column and set a separator (e.g., <code>, </code>) to combine multiple mutations if needed.

Add a Template Column (Final Body):

- Name this column <code>Final Body</code> and configure it with the following JSON structure:
 { "appID": "your appID, can be found in the Glide API settings", "mutations": [MUTATION] }
- Set the <code>MUTATION</code> to be sourced from your Joined List column.

1. Create a JSON Object Column (Mutation Column):
 - Name this column <code>Mutation</code>.
 - Enter the following values into the JSON object:
 { "kind": "delete-row", "tableName": "name of your table in the Glide API", "rowID": "point it to your rowID column" }
2. Add an If-Then-Else Column:
 - Configure this column to check the <code>Delete?</code> column.
 - If <code>Delete?</code> is checked, return the value from the <code>Mutation</code> column; otherwise, leave it empty.
3. Add a Lookup Column:
 - Set this lookup to reference the If-Then-Else column.
4. Create a Joined List Column:
 - Source this from the Lookup column and set a separator (e.g., <code>, </code>) to combine multiple mutations if needed.
5. Add a Template Column (Final Body):
 - Name this column <code>Final Body</code> and configure it with the following JSON structure:
 { "appID": "your appID, can be found in the Glide API settings", "mutations": [MUTATION] }
 - Set the <code>MUTATION</code> to be sourced from your Joined List column.

- Point the workflow to your Glide Big Table.

- Set the endpoint to: <code>https://api.glideapp.io/api/function/mutateTables</code>
- Choose the POST method.
- Add the following Headers:
 - <code>Content-Type: application/json</code>
 - <code>Authorization: Bearer YOUR_TOKEN</code> (Replace <code>YOUR_TOKEN</code> with your actual token from the Glide API settings.)
- For the Request Body, select the <code>Final Body</code> template column.

- Insert a wait action of 3 to 5 seconds to allow time for the API call to process.

- Point this to your GBT to refresh the data.

- Add a success notification to inform the user that the deletion has been completed.

1. Create a Workflow:
 - Point the workflow to your Glide Big Table.
2. Add a Call API Action:
 - Set the endpoint to: <code>https://api.glideapp.io/api/function/mutateTables</code>
 - Choose the POST method.
 - Add the following Headers:
 - <code>Content-Type: application/json</code>
 - <code>Authorization: Bearer YOUR_TOKEN</code> (Replace <code>YOUR_TOKEN</code> with your actual token from the Glide API settings.)
 - For the Request Body, select the <code>Final Body</code> template column.
3. Add a Wait Action:
 - Insert a wait action of 3 to 5 seconds to allow time for the API call to process.
4. Add a Reload Query Action:
 - Point this to your GBT to refresh the data.
5. Final Action:
 - Add a success notification to inform the user that the deletion has been completed.

Add a Button in the Layout Editor:

- Configure the button to trigger the workflow created above.

- Add a data grid or table collection that includes the <code>Delete?</code> column, allowing users to mark rows for deletion.

- Once the button is clicked and the workflow runs, the specified rows in your GBT should be bulk deleted as per the API mutation.

1. Add a Button in the Layout Editor:
 - Configure the button to trigger the workflow created above.
2. Display the Data:
 - Add a data grid or table collection that includes the <code>Delete?</code> column, allowing users to mark rows for deletion.
3. Test Your Setup:
 - Once the button is clicked and the workflow runs, the specified rows in your GBT should be bulk deleted as per the API mutation.

By following these steps, you can efficiently bulk delete rows in your Glide Big Table using the Glide API. This solution provides flexibility when managing large datasets across different apps. If you’re interested in reviewing a complete working setup, you can check out this <a href="https://go.glideapps.com/template/KAlIbKH9vpuiP2wYdRX6-template-published?privateTemplateToken=U1T3jlIOSr0deQuMJlxa" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">template</a>.

Step 1: Prepare Your Glide Big Table

Step 2: Build the Mutation for Deletion

Step 3: Configure the Workflow

Step 4: Integrate with the Layout

Conclusion