Understanding "Current Item" in Looping
The Looping automation action in SmartSuite allows you to repeat one or more actions for each item in a selected list, automating repetitive tasks efficiently. When a Looping group runs, it introduces a special output called “Current item”, which is accessible only within the actions contained inside the Looping group. Understanding how “Current item” behaves with different types of input lists is crucial for effectively utilizing the Looping feature.
Understanding "Current Item" in Looping
Plan Availability | All plan types |
Permissions | Solution Creators – Can create, manage, and configure automations in their assigned Solutions. |
Related Reading |
The Looping action in SmartSuite automations allows you to repeat a set of actions for every item in a list. At the heart of this functionality is the "Current item", a dynamic output that provides access to each individual element in the list during the loop.
Understanding how “Current item” behaves depending on your data source is key to building powerful and precise automation workflows.
🔄 What Is "Current Item"?
When you add a Looping group to your automation, a special variable called "Current item" becomes available inside the loop. This represents the individual item being processed in each iteration.
ℹ️ You can only use "Current item" inside the Looping group. It's not accessible outside of it.
🔍 How "Current Item" Works by Input Type
Here’s how "Current item" behaves with different kinds of input lists:
1. Find Records Action
Input Type: List of records
Current Item: A single record from the results
Details:
Use the dropdown to access all field values from the record.
Works the same whether you're using a Single or Multiple Find Records action.
Example:
Find all "To Do" tasks.
Loop through them and update each task or send reminders based on due dates.
2. Webhook Action – Array of Simple Types
Input Type: Array of values (text, numbers, booleans)
Current Item: The raw value (e.g., an email or number)
Details:
No dropdown appears; just use the value directly.
Example:
Webhook sends a list of emails → use "Current item" to send emails to each address.
3. Webhook Action – Array of Objects
Input Type: Array of objects (e.g., JSON)
Current Item: A single object from the array
Details:
Dropdown available with all object keys as accessible fields.
Example:
Webhook returns orders with
orderId,customerName, andtotalAmount.Use "Current item > orderId" etc., to create records or take action.
4. Webhook Trigger
Support arrays like Webhook Actions.
Simple types: "Current item" is the value.
Objects: Dropdown with fields available.
5. AI Actions (Future)
If AI-generated output includes a list, the structure of "Current item" will match (simple or object).
🛠 How to Use "Current Item" in Actions
To reference "Current item" in your automation:
Add an action inside the Looping group.
Click the ➕ icon in any field to insert dynamic data.
Expand "Current item" in the list to access available fields or values.
⚠️ Important Notes
Feature | Detail |
Scope | Only accessible inside the Looping group |
Max Actions | 10 actions per Looping group |
Merge Action | Not supported inside a Looping group |
Run History | Actions grouped and color-coded for visibility |
💼 Practical Use Cases by Department
1. Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC)
Scenario: Audit user access roles.
Workflow:
Trigger: Scheduled time
Action 1: Find active user roles
Action 2: Loop through roles
Action 3: Find associated permissions
Action 4: Send an alert if discrepancies exist
Value: Automates regular compliance checks.
2. Marketing
Scenario: Send targeted emails to CRM segments.
Workflow:
Trigger: Manual or scheduled
Action 1: Webhook to pull "High-Value Customers"
Action 2: Loop through customers
Action 3: Email each with personalized content
Value: Enables tailored outreach at scale.
3. Sales
Scenario: Follow up on overdue invoices.
Workflow:
Trigger: Daily schedule
Action 1: Find overdue invoices
Action 2: Loop through them
Action 3: Find account and manager
Action 4: Send reminder to the manager
Value: Ensures timely follow-ups without manual tracking.
4. Operations
Scenario: Process new orders and update inventory.
Workflow:
Trigger: Webhook with list of orders
Action 1: Loop through orders
Action 2: Create order record
Action 3: Find product in inventory
Action 4: Decrease stock quantity
Value: Automates order fulfillment and inventory management.
5. Human Resources
Scenario: Onboard new employees.
Workflow:
Trigger: New hire record created with status "Ready for Onboarding"
Action 1: Find matching records
Action 2: Loop through new hires
Action 3: Webhook to create user account
Action 4: Send welcome email
Action 5: Update hire status
Value: Streamlines onboarding for HR teams.
✅ Summary
The "Current item" is a powerful tool that unlocks dynamic automation in SmartSuite. Whether you’re processing records, responding to webhook data, or personalizing workflows, understanding how to use “Current item” can help you:
Target actions at specific data points
Personalize content and responses
Automate batch processing across departments
Use Looping and "Current item" together to turn complex workflows into smooth, scalable automations.