How to use a lookup field in Airtable

Use a lookup field in Airtable to show a linked record's status beside each row. Follow eight steps from the add field button to the finished column.

Quick answer

To use a lookup field in Airtable, click the add field button, choose Lookup, name the field, confirm the linked-record source, pick the field to pull from the linked table, and click Create. The new column then shows that value for each linked record, such as a project's status.

Steps at a glance

  1. Click the add field button after the last column
  2. Choose the Lookup field type
  3. Name the lookup field
  4. Confirm the linked-record source
  5. Pick the field to look up
  6. Click Create and check the new column

Interactive demo

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Summary

A lookup field shows a value from a record you have linked to, so related details sit in the same row. You read the information without retyping it or switching tables.

Step-by-step guide

  1. Step 1

    Click the add field button

    Open the table that holds your linked-record field. This table has a **Project** column that links each task to a record such as **Website redesign**. Click the **add a field** button, the plus icon after the last column header.

  2. Step 2

    Choose the Lookup field type

    A search box labeled **Find a field type** opens. Type Lookup, then click **Lookup** in the results to open the **Create field** dialog.

  3. Step 3

    Name the lookup field

    Click **Field name (optional)** and type a name that says what the column shows. This guide uses Project status. The dialog explains that a lookup shows values from a field in a linked record.

  4. Step 4

    Confirm the linked-record source

    Under **Select lookup source**, check that the linked-record field is selected. Here it is **Project**, which links to the Project tracker table. The lookup reads values from the records you linked in that column.

  5. Step 5

    Open the field list

    Click **Choose a field** under the line that names the Project tracker field you want to look up. A list of the fields in the linked table opens.

  6. Step 6

    Pick the field to look up

    Click **Status** in the list. The lookup copies this field from each linked record, so the new column shows the project's status.

  7. Step 7

    Click Create

    Review the setup, then click **Create**. Airtable adds the new column to the table.

  8. Step 8

    Check the looked-up value

    Find the **Project status** column next to **Project**. The row linked to **Website redesign** shows **In progress**. Rows with no linked record stay empty.

Why this matters

You track tasks in one table and projects in another, and you keep opening the project table to check its status. A lookup field puts that status next to each task, so you can scan the whole list at once.

Frequently asked questions

  • Does a lookup field need a linked-record field?

    Yes. The dialog asks you to select a lookup source, which is the linked-record field in the same table, such as Project.

  • Which fields can I look up?

    The Choose a field list shows the fields of the linked table, including Status, so you pick the one you want to see.

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