Inconsistent Lookup Function Results: Seeking Solutions

Justine G. · 2024-12-17T09:48:27.876Z

*Hello* :slightly_smiling_face:*,* I’m experiencing an issue with the Lookup function: I’m trying to retrieve a specific column from _Sheet A_, where the column exists for all rows. The rows in _Sheet A_ do not differ in content. However, when I run the Lookup in _Sheet B_ over a few hundred rows, the results are inconsistent. Sometimes, the full set of columns appears as expected, but other times, fewer columns are shown, and the specific column I need is missing. Rerunning the Lookup doesn’t resolve the issue. Do you have any ideas on how to fix this? Thank you!

Inconsistent Lookup Function Results: Seeking Solutions | Clay

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When experiencing inconsistent results with lookups, here are a few key points to consider: 1. For single row lookups, use the "Lookup Single Row in Other Table" action instead of multiple row lookup, as it's optimized for better performance. 2. Be aware that Google Sheets integrations have rate limits of 300 read requests per minute per project. If you exceed this limit, you may experience inconsistent results or temporary blocks. 3. If you encounter rate limit issues, the system will automatically retry after a brief pause when the quota resets (typically after one minute).To optimize your lookups: ** Use single row lookup when you only need one match ** Space out your requests when possible * Ensure your lookup criteria are specific and accurate Sources: Lookup Single Row in Other Table with Clay Lookup Multiple Rows in Other Table with Clay
Justine G.
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Additional Details:
I am using Lookup Single Row for the specific column.
I’m not working with Google Sheets but trying to extract the columns from one Clay sheet to another.
This is not a rate limit issue, as the problem persists even when I rerun the Lookup for a single row.
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The Lookup Single Row function in Clay is designed to check for the existence of specific data across different tables within your Clay workspace. It doesn't directly interact with Google Sheets.For retrieving data from Google Sheets, we have a separate "Lookup Row with Google Sheets" action. This action allows you to retrieve specific rows from Google Sheets based on a column and value match.To better understand your issue, could you clarify if you're using the Clay Lookup Single Row function or the Google Sheets integration? Also, can you provide more details about the specific columns you're trying to retrieve and any error messages you're seeing? Sources: Lookup Single Row in Other Table with Clay Lookup Row with Google Sheets
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Looks like you're still looking for help. We're escalating this over to our support team and someone should be in touch soon. In the meantime, feel free to include any other information that may be helpful in solving your issue!
Bruno R.
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Hey there, thanks for reaching out! Taking a look at this now.
Bruno R.
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Do you mind sending the link to the table so we can take a look? https://downloads.intercomcdn.com/i/o/1171717996/ac7729f84b426e1d0358af02/image.png?expires=1734432300&signature=27874a02ddfcdd442e9d587f434de9069bed7f78c746f0d9023d908bf9a08708&req=dSEgF85%2FmohWX%2FMW1HO4zYTywS%2F4BZUV2BKsam%2FhVPt%2F5A%3D%3D%0A
Justine G.
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https://app.clay.com/workspaces/257542/tables/t_ZsHPUXfFmWJq/views/gv_2qjksqW7AWBX
Justine G.
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This is the problem:
Justine G.
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this issue is persistent throughout the whole table and other tables
Justine G.
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the lookup comes from here: https://app.clay.com/workspaces/257542/tables/t_XeVHFSSiNgtR/views/gv_CArjKtjb2Nz8 (in the first sheet are only entries where lead_unternehmensanalyse has a result)
Bruno R.
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Just recorded this video to show you what may be happening here: https://www.loom.com/share/f365534c840049b8b16a9e716e2b0213?sid=0e87d57d-f210-4572-8d2d-2d889033155d I suggest doing the following to troubleshoot this issue: 1. Re run all rows that have produced errors, or which have not run in your HTTP API column: https://downloads.intercomcdn.com/i/o/w28k1kwz/1301065558/33681dfc9a36eb2152bf2efa3792/CleanShot+2024-12-17+at+11_27_53%402x.png?expires=1734433200&signature=0d0b4fe2c8b2fe7a47fd2a5914217c99e80ebd2aa55cd5f23809d8ffbebadc8e&req=dSMnF8l4mIRaUfMW1HO4zTzZ%2BmNJtVUEZ%2BC0fVoWOzLgSEUY4sjcPuHIfm4I%0AnFK5%0A 2. Re run the lookup, in your reference table: This should resolve the issue you're experiencing now!
Justine G.
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I assume this will not resolve the issue, because the rows are pushed into the next sheed based of if the HTTP API column has a result or not If you scroll down into row 1000-ish, youll see that the HTTP API column is not greyed out, yet there are missing results in the lookup
Bruno R.
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It seems some of the rows you're referencing were processed after the initial lookup, which caused no values to be transferred. I recommend following the steps I provided earlier to resolve the issue.
Justine G.
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this can not be the case, since the rows will only be pushed into the sheet with the lookup if the HTTP API from first sheet has a result - so how can the HTTP API logically be processed after the lookup, if these rows with unprocessed HTTP API are not in the sheet with the lookup to begin with until they have a result?
Justine G.
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I think it is solved, thank you 🙂

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