How to link records in Airtable

Learn how to link records in Airtable: add a link field to one table, connect it to another table, and pick the record you want to link.

Quick answer

To link records in Airtable, add a field to your table, choose the link field type, and point it at another table such as Project tracker. Name the field, click Create, then select a cell in the new column, open the record picker, and choose the record to link.

Steps at a glance

  1. Click the add a field button after the last column
  2. Choose the link field type
  3. Pick the table to link to
  4. Name the field and click Create
  5. Select a cell in the new column
  6. Open the record picker from the cell
  7. Choose the record to link

Interactive demo

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Summary

Linked records connect a row in one table to rows in another, so related information stays in one place. You set it up once with a link field, then link rows from the grid.

Step-by-step guide

  1. Step 1

    Add a field

    Open the table that should hold the link. Click the add a field button, the plus sign after the last column header. A menu opens with a search box for the field type.

  2. Step 2

    Choose the link field type

    Type Link into the Find a field type search box. Under the standard fields, choose the option that links to another record.

  3. Step 3

    Pick the table to link to

    Airtable lists your existing tables. Click Project tracker, or whichever table holds the records you want to link to.

  4. Step 4

    Create the linked field

    Type a name such as Project in the Field name (optional) box. The field type reads Link to Project tracker. Leave the defaults as they are and click Create.

  5. Step 5

    Select a Project cell

    The new Project column appears at the end of the grid. Click the Project cell in the row you want to link, such as the Launch checklist row.

  6. Step 6

    Open the record picker

    A plus sign appears inside the selected cell. Click it to open the record picker, which lists the records in Project tracker.

  7. Step 7

    Pick a record to link

    Click a record in the list, such as Website redesign. The picker closes and the record appears in the cell as a linked item.

Why this matters

You track tasks in one table and projects in another, and you want to see which project each task belongs to. A link field connects them, so you can pick the project on each task instead of retyping its name.

Frequently asked questions

  • Can I link to a record in the same table?

    The table list in the field setup includes the current table as well as other tables, so you can choose either.

  • Can one cell link to more than one record?

    Yes. The setup shows Allow linking to multiple records turned on by default, so a cell can hold several linked records.

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