How to use automations in Airtable

Summary

Automations in Airtable run an action every time a trigger fires, so repetitive work happens without you. You pair a trigger, such as a new record, with an action, such as updating a record. Building one is a few clicks, and the automation stays off until you are ready.

Step-by-step guide

1. Step 1

   Open the Automations tab

   Open your base and click **Automations** in the top bar, next to **Data** and **Interfaces**. The page opens with suggested automations and a list of suggested triggers.

2. Step 2

   Pick a trigger

   Under **Suggested triggers for you:**, click **When a record is created**. Airtable creates **Automation 1** and shows the trigger on the canvas with the note that one field is missing configuration.

3. Step 3

   Choose the table to watch

   In the trigger details on the right, find **Table** under **Configuration** and click **Select a table**. A list of the tables in your base opens.

4. Step 4

   Select Table 1

   Click **Table 1** in the list. The trigger now reads **When a record is created In Table 1**, so the automation watches that table for new records.

5. Step 5

   Add an action

   Click **Add advanced logic or action** below the trigger. A tip titled **Reference your data** may appear; it does not change the automation, and you can dismiss it with **Got it**.

6. Step 6

   Choose what happens next

   In the menu, under the Airtable group, click **Update record**. The group also lists **Create record**, **Delete record**, and **Send email**, and each one works the same way: pick it and then configure it.

7. Step 7

   Leave the automation off until it is ready

   The action now appears in the automation as **When a record is created, update a record**, and the page shows that it still has fields missing configuration. The toggle at the top reads **Automation is off**, so nothing runs. Fill in the action's **Table** and fields, then switch it on.