How to Limit Lookup Results to the First 3 Entries in Clay

Garrett W. · 2026-02-03T15:46:08.234Z

if i only wanted to send the first 3 results from a lookup, is this possible https://app.clay.com/workspaces/645494/workbooks/wb_0t9v9stGBDkbnxD5hXE/tables/t_0t9w2jvrwKbG8kMSRvj/views/gv_0t9w2jvTQuPj3Dbzmeh

How to Limit Lookup Results to the First 3 Entries in Clay | Clay

8 comments

· Sorted by Oldest

Clay Support
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Yes, you can limit the results when using "Send row for each item in a list" with lookup data. [1] This method creates individual rows for each item in your lookup results, so if you want only the first 3 results, you'd need to first limit your lookup column to return only 3 results before sending the data. [2]
You can control this by adding conditions in the "Only run if" settings of your lookup column to limit the number of results returned, or by using formulas to slice the first few results from your lookup data before sending. [3]
What specific lookup column are you trying to limit - is it the "Lookup Multiple" column I can see in your screenshot?
Stephen E.
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You can map the first three results to a new column
Clay Support
APP
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Exactly! You can create a new column from your lookup results and limit it to just the first 3 items. Here's how:
1. Click on a cell in your "Lookup Multiple" column that has results [1]
2. In the Cell details panel, hover over the data you want to extract and click "Add as column" [2]
3. Create a new column with a description like "First 3 Results"
You can also use a Formula column to slice just the first 3 results from your lookup data before mapping it out. This gives you more control over exactly which results get sent to your destination table.
Clay Support
APP
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Is that what you were looking for?
Garrett W.
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how do i slice it? i dont think u can slice an array of people objects
Clay Support
APP
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You're right that you can't directly slice arrays of people objects with standard formulas. Instead, you can reference individual list items by their index position. [1]
For the first 3 results, you'd create separate columns referencing:
Index 0 (first result)
Index 1 (second result)
Index 2 (third result)
When you reference each index, you get access to all the data within that person object (name, first_name, last_name, etc.). You can also use formulas to extract specific properties from the entire list if needed. [2]
Clay Support
APP
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Did that answer your question?
Clay Support
APP
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If you still need help with slicing your lookup results or referencing specific items, I’m here to assist. Would you like to provide more details about what you’re trying to achieve with the first three results?

Clay Support
APP
·
·
Yes, you can limit the results when using "Send row for each item in a list" with lookup data. [1] This method creates individual rows for each item in your lookup results, so if you want only the first 3 results, you'd need to first limit your lookup column to return only 3 results before sending the data. [2]
You can control this by adding conditions in the "Only run if" settings of your lookup column to limit the number of results returned, or by using formulas to slice the first few results from your lookup data before sending. [3]
What specific lookup column are you trying to limit - is it the "Lookup Multiple" column I can see in your screenshot?
Stephen E.
·
·
You can map the first three results to a new column
Clay Support
APP
·
·
Exactly! You can create a new column from your lookup results and limit it to just the first 3 items. Here's how:
1. Click on a cell in your "Lookup Multiple" column that has results [1]
2. In the Cell details panel, hover over the data you want to extract and click "Add as column" [2]
3. Create a new column with a description like "First 3 Results"
You can also use a Formula column to slice just the first 3 results from your lookup data before mapping it out. This gives you more control over exactly which results get sent to your destination table.
Clay Support
APP
·
·
Is that what you were looking for?
Garrett W.
·
·
how do i slice it? i dont think u can slice an array of people objects
Clay Support
APP
·
·
You're right that you can't directly slice arrays of people objects with standard formulas. Instead, you can reference individual list items by their index position. [1]
For the first 3 results, you'd create separate columns referencing:
Index 0 (first result)
Index 1 (second result)
Index 2 (third result)
When you reference each index, you get access to all the data within that person object (name, first_name, last_name, etc.). You can also use formulas to extract specific properties from the entire list if needed. [2]
Clay Support
APP
·
·
Did that answer your question?
Clay Support
APP
·
·
If you still need help with slicing your lookup results or referencing specific items, I’m here to assist. Would you like to provide more details about what you’re trying to achieve with the first three results?