In this step-by-step tutorial, we'll cover how to import Facebook Pages Insights and Facebook Post Metrics into Airtable. We'll show you how to import stats such as 'Page impressions', 'Page fans', and 'Page total actions' for any Facebook Page that you manage.
Using the Data Fetcher extension, we'll connect Facebook to Airtable without the need for code. We'll also schedule the Facebook Pages Airtable integration to run automatically.
Install Data Fetcher
Install Data Fetcher from the Airtable marketplace and sign up for a free Data Fetcher account. If you already have a Data Fetcher account use the 'Have an account?' text in the bottom left of the screen to log in. Alternatively, you can use your Google account to sign in.
On the create request screen in Data Fetcher, for Application, select 'Facebook Page Insights' to use the Facebook Pages Airtable integration.
To enable the Facebook API to connect to Airtable, under Authorization click '+ New Facebook Page Insights connection'.
Via the popup Facebook interface, you'll be prompted to sign into your Facebook account and then select the Facebook page you want to connect to Airtable.
Next, authorize Data Fetcher access to your Facebook account by clicking 'Save'.
Under Authorization in Data Fetcher, you'll now see the Facebook Pages Airtable integration has been successful.
Import Facebook Page Insights into Airtable Using the Facebook API
We'll import Facebook Page Insights such as 'Page impressions', 'Page fans', 'Page total actions'. This kind of data is useful to discover how successful or popular your Facebook page is. You can find more information about Facebook Page Insights here.
In Data Fetcher, for Endpoint choose 'Overall page insights'.
Give your request a name such as 'Facebook Page Insights' and click 'Save & Continue.'
Select the Facebook Page you want to import Facebook Page Insights from.
Select the Date range to import Facebook Page Insights for. In this example, we will use 30 days.
Choose which metrics you want to import data for. For this example, we'll import 'Page impressions', 'Page fans' and 'Page total actions' from Facebook Insights. You can start typing the name of the metric to easily locate it in the list.
Select the Period to determine how the data is aggregated. For this example, we will use by 'Day'.
Make sure your desired Airtable Output Table and View are selected.
Click 'Save & Run'.
Data Fetcher will run this request, and the Response field mapping modal will open. We'll now map our chosen fields from the Facebook Pages API to fields in Airtable.
You can choose to map these to new fields or existing ones and choose the field type in Airtable (e.g. 'Date', 'Number', 'Single Line Text' etc.)
In this example, we'll map all of these fields from the Facebook API to new fields in our Airtable base. Click 'Save & Run'.
Once Data Fetcher finishes its request to the Facebook API, you'll be able to see your chosen Facebook Insights data in your Airtable output table.
Import Facebook Post Metrics into Airtable Using the Facebook API
We'll now run through how to import specific Facebook Post metrics such as 'Created time', 'Message', 'Permalink url', 'Post impressions' and 'Post reactions like total'.
Click 'Back' on the bottom right-hand side to go to the Data Fetcher home screen. Then create a new request.
For Application, select 'Facebook Page Insights' again. For Endpoint choose 'Page post and engagement stats'.
Give your request a name such as 'Facebook Post Insights' and click 'Save & Continue.'
Select the Facebook Page you want to import Facebook Post Metrics from.
Choose which metrics you want to import data for. For this example, we'll import 'Created time', 'Message', 'Permalink url', 'Post impressions' and 'Post reactions like total' from Facebook Insights. You can start typing the name of the metric to locate it in the list.
Set a Limit for how many posts you would like to fetch data for (the maximum is 100.)
Make sure your desired Airtable Output Table and View are selected.
Click 'Save & Run'.
Data Fetcher will run this request, and the Response field mapping modal will open. We are now able to map our chosen fields from the Facebook API to fields in Airtable.
You can choose to map these to new fields or existing ones and choose the field type in Airtable (e.g. 'Date', 'Number', 'Single Line Text' etc.)
In this example, we'll map all of these fields from the Facebook API to new fields in our Airtable base. Click 'Save & Run'.
Once Data Fetcher finishes its request to the Facebook API, you'll be able to see your chosen Facebook Pages Insights data in your Airtable output table.
Automatic Facebook Airtable Integration
Currently, you'd need to manually run the requests to import any updates to the Facebook Insights metrics. You can run the Facebook Pages Airtable integration automatically at regular intervals using Data Fetcher's scheduling feature.
You will need to upgrade your account to this. In Data Fetcher, scroll to Schedule and click 'Upgrade'.
Choose a plan to suit your usage needs and enter your payment details.
In Data Fetcher, click 'I've done this'.
Under Schedule click '+ Authorize'.
A new window will open so you can authorize the Airtable bases you want Data Fetcher access to.
By selecting 'All current and future bases in all current and future workspaces', you will avoid any issues with unauthorized bases in the future.
Click 'Grant access'.
Back in Data Fetcher, you'll see Schedule this request is now toggled on.
Select a Schedule for the Airtable Facebook Pages integration to run. You can choose intervals of either 'Minutes', 'Hours', 'Days' or 'Months'.
For this example, we'll choose to import Facebook Insights automatically into Airtable on a monthly schedule at 9 AM on the 1st of every month.
