One of my fields is a link to another table. I’d like end-users who are using the Form to add data to be able to create new records in the linked table but from the primary table data entry form.
Add new linked record when entering data in a form
Having looked at Cognito Forms and the solution offered, it’s not going to solve my issue unfortunately.
I have a library of sheet music, and when a new arrangement is added, I want to be able to select the arranger from a large list of arrangers (stored separately in a different table).
However, if the arranger hasn’t already been entered into the linked table, then there is no facility to add them in - see screenshot A:
Using Cognito won’t work because:
a. It only runs on form submission, not during entry
b. It doesn’t first pull in existing records from the linked table in Airtable, so there’s no way to search through the existing records before choosing to add a new one.
In grid view, there is no problem with adding a new linked record (see screenshot B), but then you have the issue of a very unfriendly GUI:
Here’s a post for the same request, where Airtable said they are looking at forms - would be worthwhile adding your voice to this post as they are watching it…
https://community.airtable.com/t/adding-an-option-on-a-form-when-the-field-linked-to-another-record/11056
Hi Justine! Currently it’s only possible to select a record that already exists in shared forms, not to add a new linked record.
We plan on making feature improvements to form view in the coming months. If you can tell us more about how you’d like to use forms, that would be helpful for our planning process!
Hi @Matt_Bush
Justine didn’t reply with more info, but I have the exact same issue and I thought I would add my voice as this is something that I sorely need. Here’s how we are planning on using forms:
I have a workspace where one of the tables has approx 1000 records - these records are musical arrangements (sheet music) for my choir.
The idea is that as our staff want to add to our repertoire, they will use the form to add a new arrangement to the table. One of the fields in the form is “arranger” - another is “composer” and a third is “lyricist”. All three fields are linked back to a separate table consisting of a huge list of artists (a composer can also be a lyricist for example, so they all share the same table).
As the staff member enters the details on the piece, they should not only be able to select an existing composer/lyricists/arranger, but given the option to add a new one. Right now, this isn’t possible - they can only select an existing one, and this is a major limitation in using the form. In the majority of cases, the composer/lyricist/arranger won’t already exist in the linked table, so in the majority of cases, the form to add a new piece of music is unusable.
To make sure I’m being 100% clear, here are a couple of screens comparing the lookup field view in a form vs in a grid:
After entering nearly 1000 records in my main table in preparation for end-user use, I am devastated to find that this functionality is missing at the 11th hour. I should have tested it earlier I guess, but for now it means that I’ll have to continue to enter the data myself :worried:
Is there any update on when we can expect word back on the form view improvements you mentioned? Many thanks!
Hi is there any update on this feature being added to forms, I could really use it or a workaround if there is one.
I would really like to know when this feature is coming too. It is a blocker for me for my form usage in collecting information.
+2This feature would be a massive improvement for those of us that rely on form input. We rely on forms for much of our data input and the current workaround is that we have to create another “dummy” text field for the form filler to type out their selection and then an administrator has to come in to clean up the data by either assigning an existing record or creating a new one. This feature alone would cut our database maintenance needs in half.
As previous commenters have mentioned, being able to create a new record in a linked table with the primary field filled would be great. However, I think the ultimate solution would be to leverage your existing form functionality and just pop a nested form for the linked table. That way you can set what fields you want as you do with any form. When you complete the nested form, the new record is automatically selected in the parent field.
Yup, need this feature. I’m building a fitness tracker and this would ABSOLUTELY streamline food tracking.
+27Hi Justine! Currently it’s only possible to select a record that already exists in shared forms, not to add a new linked record.
We plan on making feature improvements to form view in the coming months. If you can tell us more about how you’d like to use forms, that would be helpful for our planning process!
My use case for new linked records from form entries: I’d like my company to use AirTable to track attendance at a series of 9 events.
Each event will have a “Sign-in” table, but we want to see if people attended more than one event and if so how their responses change. Naturally, we have a “People” table that has a linked field to each individual’s sign-in(s). Ideally, we’d like to collect names and contact info (phone number, email, etc)
Our problem is that the sign-in form on the “Sign-In” table can have a linked field to an existing person from the “People” table, but if they never attended one before, they can’t add themselves.
Our workaround is to have attendees enter their info every time they sign-in with the Sign In sheet still having a linked Person field but hidden from the form. We would then have to go in after-the-fact and try and find duplicates for each attendee to manually add a new “People” table entry. This is made somewhat easier by the new DeDupe Block but still requires a manual cleanup after every event, and might annoy repeat sign-ins.
I agree a nested form solution would be ideal. I.e. Someone looks for an existing name and if none is present their allowed to add a new record and fill in selected fields for the new linked record before continuing on with the rest of the original form.
+10+1 for this feature! Right now I have an over-complicated system where someone has to fill out multiple forms in a particular order to add entries to different tables. This would be a game changer!
+3+1: I just spend a couple of hours trying to figure this out. The forms would make data entry easier vs. having to input in the form.
+6I need this function to add records via Link To Record in Form View the way I can when in Grid View.
Unless every table has an auto PrimaryKey and you link to it, it can be difficult to create a new record. I think Sub forms or a link to next from from another table.
This also falls into the realm of using a form to edit existing records it makes some of these tasks difficult.
@Matt_Bush,
I also need to add a new linked record through a form.
I am currently trying to do a proof of concept for my director to use Airtable for a company-wide database, however, the lack of this functionality alone will likely steer us to another program.
Please respond urgently as we need this database asap.
+1+1 form view is a great concept for allowing me to hire less technically oriented users to insert data into my air table workflows. Also forms that read down a page rather than across a spreadsheet are just faster and more user friendly in many data entry situations. However, in each attempt so far it lacks some final step to make it work.
Today’s roadblock was the one mentioned in this thread.
So I have yet to use form view.
+13Hi Justine! Currently it’s only possible to select a record that already exists in shared forms, not to add a new linked record.
We plan on making feature improvements to form view in the coming months. If you can tell us more about how you’d like to use forms, that would be helpful for our planning process!
I’d love it if Airtable acted more like the old Lotus Approach - highly suggest the Airtable team buys a copy and reverse engineers features. It is a relational database that allows linking on any fields, table alias capability for multiple linked fields, complete control over displaying field labels and fields on reports, views and forms, and the ability to combine any tables in the base in any form, report or view in any way. Input into a table field from a linked record added the data to that table seamlessly. The only thing Approach didn’t have was cloud access and embed capability!
+13Hi Justine! Currently it’s only possible to select a record that already exists in shared forms, not to add a new linked record.
We plan on making feature improvements to form view in the coming months. If you can tell us more about how you’d like to use forms, that would be helpful for our planning process!
Kamille, I run monthly events and have a potential solution for you if you still need one. Call me any time - Jeri 440-590-1954 LinkedIn.com/in/jerivespoli
This would be super helpful! Any latest workarounds / updates on when this feature will be available through Airtable?
This feature would really help with my Organizations workflow. Currently they are having to enter multiple form submissions and re-entering a number of fields for each submission. This feature would be much appreciated.
I would also love this feature! I am creating a database for local food options for our office.
I need people to be able to choose from an existing restaurant list or add a new one. If they add a new one, then more fields should appear to add details of location, whether you can sit in etc.
At the minute I’m considering embedding two separate forms on the same webpage - add venue in one or add food in the other. But it’s really clunky!
Suggestions or workarounds welcome. I was looking at using other form services that integrate with airtable but I really like the ability to upload images in the native form.
My form conditionally requires the use of a second form at the moment if a new record is needed for a linked field. This workflow is clunky. It would be much better to create the linked record inline in the same form.
I’m effectively having to choose between data model normalization or good data input workflow.
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