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Bucket channel

Go to the Channel Catalog to learn more about what plans have access to this channel. Sign into Quickbase, and then go to Pipelines > Channels.

Use the Bucket channel to create a temporary storage table in the pipeline. The data in this table, or object, is available to future steps. This channel can also generate a CSV from any other channel. Then you can upload the CSV somewhere directly like OneDrive or Dropbox.

For simple tasks of copying records, you can also use the Copy records step in the Quickbase channel.

Other options for temporary CSV storage include:

  • Store the CSV in the File Attachment field in a Quickbase app
  • Use a file storage-specific system like Dropbox, Box, OneDrive, or SharePoint

In this article

Steps

The different types of steps for this channel are:

  • Objects
  • Pipeline objects
  • Pipeline rows
  • Rows
  • Tables

Objects

Type Name Description
Trigger Object created Triggers when a new object is created
Trigger Object updated Triggers when an object is updated
Action Add or update object Adds or updates a stored object
Action Delete object Deletes an object
Action Get object by ID Retrieves an object using an ID
Query Search bucket object Searches objects based on search criteria 

Pipeline objects

Type Name Description
Action Save pipeline object Saves an object to the current pipeline. The object is not available to other pipelines. 
Action Get Pipeline Object by ID Retrieves the ID of a pipeline object based on a namespace and object key
Query Search pipeline objects Searches objects saved to this pipeline, and includes limits and filters

Pipeline rows

Type Name Description
Action Add a row Adds a row to an object
Action Define table Defines the header row details for a table
Action Download CSV Downloads a row into a CSV format
Query Search pipeline rows Search rows, and includes limits and filters

Tables

Type Name Description
Action Create a table Creates a new table
Action Delete table Deletes a table
Action Update table Updates a table
Query Search tables Searches a table and returns a list
Action Look up table Looks up a table and returns a single result

Note: You cannot use jinja expressions in trigger conditions unless explicitly specified as possible.

Limits

Quickbase stores the file as chunks in Google Cloud Storage Buckets. Every chunk can be accessed for 24 hours, which means that your download link is active for 24 hours.

There is no hard limit on the file size that can be generated, we understand that most people are downloading or uploading the file to another platform. If downloaded with the generated link the file can be a maximum of 32 MB. For this file, the download time should not be more than a minute. There are different limits for different channels, like if the file is uploaded to Google Drive.

The download URL is randomly generated and everyone with the URL can download the file. There are no additional options for controlling access to the URL.

Use the Bucket channel to schedule an archive to Box

This section explains how to use the Bucket channel to create a temporary CSV table to archive data from Quickbase to Box on a schedule, once a month.

Before you begin we recommend that you:

  • Make sure you have access to the Box channel
  • Connect to the Box channel

Learn more about the Box channel.

In this example, we'll build a scheduled pipeline with the following steps:

  • Bucket channel - Define table
  • Quickbase channel - Search record
  • Bucket channel - Add a row
  • Bucket channel - Download CSV
  • Box channel - Upload file in

box-pipeline-workflow.png

This example contains the following tasks:

  1. Define a table using the Bucket channel
  2. Search your Quickbase table using the Quickbase channel
  3. Add rows for returned records using the Bucket channel
  4. Download a CSV using the Bucket channel
  5. Upload the CSV to Box using the Box channel
  6. Schedule when your pipeline runs

 

Define a table using the bucket channel

In this step, we create a new table and define the header row for that table. This table is where data is organized before it is downloaded as a CSV.

To add this step:

  1. In a new pipeline, select the Bucket channel, and then select a Define Table action.
    This action is a Pipeline Row action.
  2. Define the following fields:
    Header separator—Comma
    Header row—Date, Employee, Hours, Related time card
    Datetime format—2025-12-29T23:43:03Z
    Date format—12-29-2025
    Type of "Date"—string

Search Your Quickbase table using the Quickbase channel

In this step, we search our table, select the fields in the table that we'll need in upcoming steps, and create a query for the records. 

Something you could also do is create a query for the records to see if the Previous Month field is true, and only selecting those records to archive. 

To add this step:

  1. Add a Search records step, which is in the Quickbase channel.
  2. Define the following fields:
    Table—Service Requests: Leases
    Fields—Location - Street 1, Location Name, Move-in Date, Move-out Date, Related Location, Related Tenant, Tenant- First Name, Tenant - Last Name

Add rows for returned records using the Bucket channel 

In this step, we add a row for each of the records returned in action - b. That is, we use the Add a row step and map the fields from the record to the spreadsheet. 

To add this step:

  1. Add a Add a row step in the loop of the search records step.
  2. Define the following fields:
    Pipeline row—Define Table
    Date—Search Records | Move-Out Date
    Employee—Search Records | Location Name
    Hours—Search Records | created_at
    Related time card—Search Records | Record ID

Download a CSV using the Bucket channel

In this step, we configure the pipeline to download a CSV. We add information to this step to define the source of the CSV. 

To add this step:

  1. Add a Download CSV step to the end of your pipeline, in the loop of the search records step.
  2. Define the following field, which should be populated automatically
    Pipeline Row—Add a Row

Upload the CSV to Box using the Box channel

In this step, we define where in Box the CSV should be uploaded. If you haven't yet, you'll need to connect to your Box account.

To add this step:

  1. Add a Upload File in step in the loop of the search records step.
  2. In the Folder field, enter the file path for the location to save the file.
  3. Define the following fields:
    Name—Search Records | Record ID
    URL—Download CSV | Download URL
    Another option for the file name is to name the file the date the upload was made. To do this, use a date/time conversion expression that says {{time.now|date_mdy}}.csv

Schedule when your pipeline runs

Finally, define when the pipeline runs. Use the Schedule button to select the first of the month. To do this:

  1. Select the Schedule button.
  2. Define the following fields:
    Time zone—Your local time zone
    Repeat every—Month
    On which days?—1
    Time—1:00 AM

Our pipeline is now complete!

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