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Functions and Sandbox Mode

Turn steps into a reusable function, use it in a table, and test changes safely in Sandbox Mode.

Written by Umer Ishaq

A function turns columns that always run together into one reusable column. Sandbox Mode lets you try changes before they go live.

Save columns as a function

  1. Click the header of a column you want to include, then choose Save as function.

  2. Type a Name. It is prefilled with the column's name.

  3. Under Steps, tick every column that should be part of the function. The dialog shows how many are selected.

  4. Leave a column unticked if the steps use it but shouldn't include it. The dialog says such columns become the function's inputs, supplied per row by whoever calls it.

  5. Under Send back to the caller, keep only the values you want the calling table to receive. Unchecked steps still run, but their results stay inside the function.

  6. Click Save function.

The Save as function dialog with the name Company industry and a Steps list. Only Company profile is ticked, outlined in red. Below it is Send back to the caller.

A message confirms the save and says how many inputs the function takes. The table keeps its columns.

Use a function in another table

  1. Click Add column, then Functions.

  2. Pick your function. The page says editing a function updates every table that calls it.

  3. For each required input, choose From column or Fixed value. With From column, pick the column.

  4. The panel shows what the function returns, for example "Returns: industry".

  5. Choose Add column without running, then click the column's play button and choose Run all 5 empty rows. The dialog shows the cost before you run. When every step is free, it says "Spends nothing from your wallet".

Try changes first in Sandbox Mode

  1. Click Sandbox Mode in the table toolbar. The page reloads briefly.

  2. A message says how many rows were copied in. Test data holds those rows. All data shows your whole table and is view-only.

  3. Click Add test data to copy in more rows. You can have up to 50 rows in your test data.

  4. To keep your changes, use Review changes.

  5. Otherwise click Exit Sandbox. Loopster warns that every change you have not published is discarded and your table goes back to normal.

A table in Sandbox Mode. The Test data tab, outlined in red, sits next to All data, with Exit Sandbox, Add test data and Review changes at the top right. The table has a Website column and a Company industry column.

Edit a function safely

  1. Open Functions in the sidebar. Each row shows its Status and References.

  2. Click a function, then Edit configuration.

  3. A banner says changes will not go live until you review and publish, and steps that send anywhere are held back.

  4. Once the function has run on a table, the editor shows an Add test inputs button. It runs the function on values you type. The dialog says the steps are charged to your wallet exactly as they are live, on a few rows instead of every row.

  5. Open the Editing function menu to choose View live function, Exit edit mode, Discard draft, Review changes or Reset sandbox.

To make a function from scratch, click New on the Functions page, name it, and build its steps next.

Good to know

  • References goes up when a table uses the function.

  • Sandbox Mode and a function's editor are separate: one is on a table, the other is in the function editor.

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