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I have a table, Calls, that will soon have lots of records and lots of data.  I would like to provide the user with a simple interface to add a new call.  Each call contains linked records to other tables -- e.g. “Liturgical Date,” “Prelude,” etc.

I would like the user to be able to select from a list of existing linked records , or to enter information for a new record for that field if it doesn’t already exist.

It’s very straightforward how to allow the user to select an existing linked record.  However, I can’t figure out if there’s a way to let them add a new one on the fly. 

Does this exist?  I’m really hoping so, since if not, the data entry will be very tedious at first, if the user has to go to one interface to input all the liturgical dates and music, and then to another one to select them.

Thank you!

Yeah...if you want to have a form like UI, I think your best bet’s to use Fillout for this I’m afraid (https://www.fillout.com/).  You could technically achieve said form like UI within Airtable but it’d be pretty messy

If you’re not looking for a form like UI, then a Record Review type interface could work, and I’ve set it up here for you to check out:

 

Hey ​@n0r1,

Unfortunately you cannot handle that with Airtable native forms (crazy right?). 

As mentioned by Scott above, you can:
1. Create an interface for the parent table, show on it the linked record, allow the creation of new linked records through a form. Result: Not one form, but at least two forms. One for creating the “parent record” and within the parent record (once created) one for creating the linked record.

2. You can very easily set this up using Fillout. Fillout has direct integration with Airtable, and allows to have child forms within parent forms. Oh, and their free plan is super generous so you do not need to pay for it.You can find more differences between Airtable native forms and Fillout forms here.

For last, it would be amazing if you could submit this as a feature request using this form. I’ve been requesting this for a very long time now! 

Hope this helps! Feel free to reach out if you need help setting this up.

Mike, Consultant @ Automatic Nation

Ha, glad to know I’m not going crazy!

 

I was able to get something Good Enough™ by creating a new interface page of type blank, adding an editable record picker and a bunch of editable fields, finished by an “update” button.  I looked at using the Record Review interface page type, but then I have to add new records through a form, which -- as you both mention -- has the limitations of not being able to add sub-records.

 

The limitation with my solution is I still can’t add novel linked-linked-records -- e.g. if my top-level table is Concerts, which has 3 pieces from table Music, each of which has one compose from table Composers, then in my new Concerts interface I can add new Music records, but within that creation I’m in a form, so I can’t add novel Composers (only select from existing ones).  Not a dealbreaker for me for now.

 

Thank you!

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