Preview Data Step

What it does

The Preview Data step renders a text or HTML template with all available variables substituted at runtime and logs the result in Runs & Logs. It doesn't send anything or modify any data — it's a read-only inspection point you can drop anywhere in a workflow to see exactly what your data looks like at that moment.

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When to use it

• Debugging a workflow — see what values variables actually hold mid-run
• Sanity-checking an AI Analyze output before it feeds into a bulk update
• Confirming a formatted table looks right before using it in an email
• Building and testing complex variable templates without triggering real sends

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Configuration

Template

Write a text or HTML template using {variable_name} placeholders. All variables available from previous steps can be inserted — the step renders the template with live values at execution time.

Example: simple variable summary

Top affiliate: {top_affiliate}
Revenue: {top_affiliate_revenue}
Campaigns compared: {ai_campaigns_compared}

Example: HTML table

<table>
  <tr><th>Affiliate</th><th>Revenue</th></tr>
  <tr><td>{affiliate_name_1_stats_1}</td><td>{revenue_1_stats_1}</td></tr>
  <tr><td>{affiliate_name_2_stats_1}</td><td>{revenue_2_stats_1}</td></tr>
</table>

You can also use the special {data_table} variable — when inserted, AffZero renders the full Pull Stats dataset as a formatted HTML table automatically.

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What you see in Runs & Logs

After the automation runs, expand the Preview Data step in the run log to see the fully rendered output. HTML content is displayed visually, making it easy to check formatting.

The rendered output is also shown in the step card in the automation builder after the last run, so you can review it without leaving the editor.

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Tips