---
title: REST API polling and logging
source: https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/workflow-automation/workflow-examples/integrations/rest-api-polling
---

Poll a REST API endpoint, loop through results, and log data to New Relic.

> #### ⚠️ IMPORTANT
>
> Selectors are optional for full payloads. Most workflow tools support direct response object references.

## Simple GET and log

Basic API polling and full response logging:

**What this workflow does:**

-   Trigger via schedule (e.g., every 5 minutes) or manual run
-   HTTP Request Step:
    -   Method: GET
    -   URL: <https://pokeapi.co/api/v2/pokemon>
    -   Save response body to variable (e.g., `{{.http_response}}`)
-   Log/Create Event Step:
    -   Send entire `{{.http_response.body}}` as payload
    -   No selectors needed—pass through raw JSON

## REST API with loops and selectors

Fetch all results from REST API, loop through items, make individual calls, and log extracted data.

**Requirements:** API access and log ingest permissions.

**What this workflow does:**

-   Fetch all results from REST API endpoint
-   Loop through each response result
-   Make individual API calls per item using loop data
-   Extract specific fields using selectors
-   Log extracted data to New Relic with custom attributes

**Key actions**: `http.get`, `newrelic.ingest.sendLogs`

```yaml
  name: pokemon_workflow
  description: ''
  steps:
    - name: get_all_pokemons
      type: action
      action: http.get
      version: '1'
      inputs:
        url: https://pokeapi.co/api/v2/pokemon
        selectors:
          - name: pokemons
            expression: .responseBody | fromjson.results
    - name: pokemon_loop
      type: loop
      for:
        in: ${{ .steps.get_all_pokemons.outputs.pokemons }}
        steps:
          - name: get_individual_pokemon
            type: action
            action: http.get
            version: '1'
            inputs:
              url: ${{ .steps.pokemon_loop.loop.element.url }}
              selectors:
                - name: pokemon_name
                  expression: .responseBody | fromjson.name
                - name: pokemon_id
                  expression: .responseBody | fromjson.id
                - name: pokemon_stats
                  expression: .responseBody | fromjson.stats
          - name: log_pokemon_info
            type: action
            action: newrelic.ingest.sendLogs
            version: '1'
            inputs:
              logs:
                - message: >-
                    Pokemon name is: ${{
                    .steps.get_individual_pokemon.outputs.pokemon_name}}, Id: ${{
                    .steps.get_individual_pokemon.outputs.pokemon_id}}
                  attributes:
                    pokemon_stats: ${{ .steps.get_individual_pokemon.outputs.pokemon_stats}}
            next: continue
      next: end
```

## REST API to CSV conversion

Fetch API data, convert JSON to CSV, log to New Relic, and share via Slack.

**Requirements:** API access and Slack token in secrets.

**What this workflow does:**

-   Fetch time data from World Time API by timezone
-   Convert JSON response to CSV
-   Log CSV to New Relic
-   Post CSV to Slack channel

**Key actions**: `http.get`, `utils.transform.toCSV`, `newrelic.ingest.sendLogs`, `slack.chat.postMessage`

```yaml
  name: jsontocsv

  workflowInputs:
    timezone:
      type: String
      defaultValue: 'America/Los_Angeles'

  steps:
    - name: getCurrentTime
      type: action
      action: http.get
      version: 1
      inputs:
        url: 'https://worldtimeapi.org/api/timezone/${{ .workflowInputs.timezone }}'

    - name: csv1
      type: action
      action: utils.transform.toCSV
      version: 1
      inputs:
        json: ${{ .steps.getCurrentTime.outputs.responseBody }}

    - name: logOutput
      type: action
      action: newrelic.ingest.sendLogs
      version: 1
      inputs:
        logs:
          - message: 'CSV: ${{ .steps.csv1.outputs.csv }}'

    - name: postCsv
      type: action
      action: slack.chat.postMessage
      version: 1
      inputs:
        channel: test-channel-workflow
        text: "Current Date details"
        attachment:
          filename: 'file.csv'
          content: ${{ .steps.csv1.outputs.csv }}
        token: ${{ :secrets:dn_staging_slack_token }}
```

## Related topics [#related-topics]

[Loops](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/workflow-automation/workflow-examples/basic-patterns/loops)

Master loop patterns for polling

[HTTP GET/POST](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/workflow-automation/workflow-examples/basic-patterns/http-get-post)

Learn HTTP action fundamentals

[JSON parsing](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/workflow-automation/workflow-examples/basic-patterns/json-parsing)

Parse API responses effectively