How to update a numeric variable via IFTTT

[Anna]

Apilio is natively integrated with IFTTT so you can combine almost 700 different brands of devices and services in your home routines. Apilio is a fantastic complement for IFTTT because you can create routines that combine multiple conditions, actions and delays.

Why do we need Variables?

To allow you to use your devices with Apilio and build Conditions that use those devices, IFTTT can send event information over to Apilio, such as the temperature, the humidity level or for example…the number of astronauts in space. Apilio will then store this information about your devices in its “memory” in the form of Variables.

2 options for managing numeric variables from IFTTT

With IFTTT, you can use the following two actions when creating your own applet from scratch:

• Update a numeric variable to a new value you specify
• Do a mathematical operation (add or subtract) with a numeric variable

Let’s have a look at how you can setup and manage a numeric variable via IFTTT.

Setting up a numeric variable to check how many astronauts are out there

1. In Apilio, create a numeric variable called “astronauts” and set it to 6, which at the time of writing was the number of people out there in our vast space as per Nasa:

2. Go to IFTTT now and select “create” to start building your own applet (https://ifttt.com/create).

3. For the “If this” part, select the Space service, and the trigger “Astronaut enters space”

4. For the “then that” part, select the Apilio service, and “Do a mathematical operation with a numeric variable” as your action. Then your “astronauts” variable, “add” as your operation and add 1.

5. Review and click complete to finish setting up your applet, you are done!

6. You can also subtract astronauts when the come back home with the alternative trigger, “Astronaut exits Space”

This is just an example to show you a step-by-step setup, but the sky is the limit! Let us know how you are using your numeric variables with Apilio.

Example setup where a numeric variable is used as a counter

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I’m one of those people who started doing exercise at home when the lockdowns were in place. I usually do circuits of exercises with my trusty yoga mat. But there is one thing that was driving me mad at this point: hearing the fitness timer ring the bell again and again and again is getting pretty old!! plus it’s annoying for anyone else at home. So I decided to create this visual fitness timer so I didn’t have to hear any more bells if I didn’t want to. This could also …

Do you want to know more?

Have a look at these examples with the other types of variables:

• How to update boolean variables.
• How to update string variables.

Also check:

• How conditions work in Apilio
• Evaluating logicblocks and triggering actions with IFTTT