This would show the last known table schema and data that was shown, but would allow to make records and sync when the mobile device comes back online. Issues would be resolved via the web to validate issues.
Howie wrote:
Hi Joshua, this is one (valid) proposal amongst a permutative spectrum of design possibilities. This particular approach is not too far off, directionally, from some of our internal explorations. As with any other possibility, though, it comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. For instance, it would be quite tedious to manually resolve conflicts. (I’ve personally experienced this pain as an Evernote user; conflicted notes/notebooks appear quite frequently in my usage of that product and require a frustrating amount of extra work to resolve.) Requiring an explicit toggle for offline mode may not help in situations where the internet disappears unexpectedly, or when one forgets to hit the switch ahead of time (i.e. you’re boarding a long flight, and neglect to make the change). In any case, even if the offline client does not allow structural changes, the same class of merge conflicts will arise if other online clients do perform structural changes during that time.
While we appreciate the suggestions for technical implementation, at this point the most useful thing to inform the design is to receive detailed, specific usage stories directly from as many users as possible. With those data points, we can better assemble the various technical mechanisms at our disposal into a cohesive experience that delivers the best set of tradeoffs, where best is informed by our users.
Several years later and still no solution. Today I bumped up against the limitations of the free version of Airtable (too many records). I can either pay for Airtable (and suffer not having an offline version) or I can find a different solution. Which solution do you think I’ll choose? (Hint: I’m not giving my money to a company that ignores the #1 request from customers on this suggestion board.)
For a thread that started with “We hear you” the length of radio silence from @Airtable is stunning.
Please update us on the availability of this feature in the near future.
Very unprofessional…
Continuously check this page because I would really like to use airtable for our burning man camp’s planning but we need offline mode…
I did not realize when I signed up for the Pro version that there was no offline mode. With that being the case I will be cancelling my membership as the program is useless to me.
+27I understand that there are huge difficulties in being able to provide an offline solution, and I am not surprised that there isn’t one yet. However, I would like to add my voice to those asking for some offline capabilities.
How would you want to use Airtable offline?
I recently built a database for an organization and had to use a different program (Microsoft Access). One of the main reasons was the requirement for offline usage. The database is used to manage a warehouse of items. There is no wifi in the warehouse and cellular reception is very spotty.
Do you use Airtable alone, or with collaborators?
I typically use Airtable either alone or with 1-3 collaborators.
The non-Airtable database solutions that I have created have a similar number of collaborators/users.
In most cases, I am the only person to make changes to the schema of the database. (By schema, I mean table and field definitions, not views. Other people make and change their own views at will.) When people want a change in the schema, they usually ask me to implement it. Occasionally I have a collaborator that also makes minor changes to a schema, such as adding a new field.
For how long do you need to be able to use Airtable offline?
In the warehouse situation above, there is wifi within a short walk of the warehouse. Most tasks in the warehouse can also be completed within a few hours. So, offline usage could be limited to a few hours.
It would also be nice to be able to use Airtable offline during long commutes when in a car-pool/van-pool or when using public transit. Commutes of an hour or more are common where I live.
How much do you need to be able to do in Airtable while offline?
At a minimum, I would like to be able to cache all the records in the current view of all the tables and continue to view that data when offline. I would like to be able to switch views for that data, with the understanding that views with different filters might not show all the data. I would be willing to have limits on the number of records that can be cached per view and limits on caching attachments.
The next increment that I would like is the ability to add new records to the current view of each table. Linking to other records could be limited to cached records (in the same or other tables), including new records created when offline. I would also like the ability to edit those new records. There should be minimal conflicts to resolve, other than new links to records that were deleted or edited by other collaborators when offline. The use case for this scenario is going into the warehouse and entering new records for new inventory or new tasks to be done. I am okay with having to manually lock the schema of a database in order to get this functionality.
The next increment that I would like is the ability to manually lock the records in a view for editing. Other people would be able to view those records, with some sort of “lock” icon but not change them until I release the lock. The use case would be selecting a set of tasks to do in the warehouse, going into the warehouse and updating the status of those tasks as they are done, then returning to wifi, syncing the results, and unlocking the records.
I am fairly certain that I would never need to change the schema of a database while offline. (There will be times when I will want to change a schema offline, but I won’t need to.)
How tolerant would you be of having to resolve merge conflicts manually?
I’m going to dissent with the prevailing opinion here. I understand that having to resolve merge conflicts manually is a necessary evil, but I detest having to manually resolve merge conflicts. I design my work flows to avoid the situation. If there is a high probability of having to manually resolve merge conflicts, I’ll consider delaying the work until the chance of a conflict is over. I’m guessing that most who say they are okay with manually resolving merge conflicts have never had to untangle a long list of tangled GitHub conflicts.
Would you primarily be using offline mode on desktop or mobile?
Whichever gets the functionality first!
How would you want to use Airtable offline?
I will change only one table in one base. So really basic stuff.
Do you use Airtable alone, or with collaborators?
I plan to use it with only two collaborators and data that they will insert in the table has nothing to do with my inserts. Yes one cell in the row is multiple select but. I plan to insert most of the inserts at the beginning of using the table so the number of conflicts will be minimum.
How much do you need to be able to do in Airtable while offline?
A couple of hours at the most. I won’t make any edits to the entries that they were inserted before I went offline.
Would you primarily be using offline mode on a desktop or mobile?
I would use Airtable offline 100% of the offline time on the android based device. Tablet or phone. I didn’t decide yet.
My idea of how to solve this problem is. When Airtable is offline in the right up corner should be a clock that will countdown time. And time should be 6-8 hours.
Or maybe the offline mode should be only for teams of 5 people max. Or Airtable could detect that one user has got offline and should lock down that table or make it for viewing only. Edit and insert should be disabled.
Heck, I am willing to pay for this feature 15$ per month. Just make it work. :slightly_smiling_face:
Pascal_LEFEVRE wrote:
Many, many comments from users… no answers or comments from Airtable…
I wonder if there’s an architectural problem preventing this :confused:
I worry tremendously about putting all my data into something which I can’t access offline. I love the look of Airtable but frankly, this is a real dealbreaker. For single users, I don’t see why there can’t be a desktop app, just like any other app I’ve used in the past. There are plenty of great examples of these around.
Come on Airtable guys, adding a “CRM sales” template without offering offline functionality is just unthinkable.
Could you at least keep us updated on this ?
+1Continuing the discussion from FR: Offline mode:
Next to being able to link records across Bases/Restrict some collabortor’s views to certain fields, offline mode is my second biggest issue with this great program.
How would you want to use Airtable offline?
Inputting data into pre-built bases. No real structural changes to the base.
Do you use Airtable alone, or with collaborators?
With collaborators, but only for the purpose data input. The bases rarely change once the creator has finished and published it.
For how long do you need to be able to use Airtable offline?
Varying - mostly when travelling so anywhere from 1hour in a data black spot to 12 hours on a long haul flight.
How much do you need to be able to do in Airtable while offline?
Mostly just the input to pre-built bases while travelling. For me, it’s essentially just pulling technical specifics from various documents into the base.
Certainly I need to access info stored when offline - for example contacts information.
How tolerant would you be of having to resolve merge conflicts manually?
I have no major issue with this. For me it would draw attention to any changes made while I was offline anyway.
Would you primarily be using offline mode on a desktop or mobile?
Almost exclusively on desktop.
Any Updates on this? Why is is so difficult for Airtable to make a clear commitment to an offline feature?
The lack of this feature is the only thing holding us back from rolling airtable out company wide for building assessments. I hope airtable listens and gives us this feature soon.
How would you want to use Airtable offline?
For adding records to a preformatted base. Specifically uploading photos and notes about maintenance issues in the field alongside several specialists uploading their own records. People would not be sharing records or editing others records in the field but would just need the ability to cache the created records until reconnecting to cell service or wifi. With the current structure if connection is lost often the photo of the issue is lost.
Do you use Airtable alone, or with collaborators?
With collaborators
For how long do you need to be able to use Airtable offline?
Mostly for 5-10 minute increments when cell service is bad, but could be upwards of a few hours if the whole site has bad service
How much do you need to be able to do in Airtable while offline?
Just need to be able to add new records to a base
How tolerant would you be of having to resolve merge conflicts manually?
Ideally this would be rolled out with the ability to add records and read only access to existing records therefore conflicts would be reduced.
Would you primarily be using offline mode on a desktop or mobile?
Mobile
@harshal of course I would be interested in trying that out! Would your solution work with the mobile app?
As long as you price it intelligently (meaning don’t forget you’re pricing an add-on, not a stand-alone product, to an app that has MANY free users already), you could have something great until Airtable does its own (which could be never from the looks of it) !!
Clearly following !
Cool !
Moreover, I don’t know what you plan on building but be aware that it should be different than exporting to a spreadsheet. Meaning what’s cool with airtable is using the filters and the views with the data. Even if it’s offline, which would mean we cannot enter new data, but work in a flexible manner with the one we have. Just like in a regular base. Otherwise, it’s a spreadsheet if you know what I mean.
+2So sad that this still has not been implemented. At least a way to view data offline would be nice. I am so often at a customer and can‘t access my data.
Hi Harshal
I wish to use offline mode with forms for capturing contact data at Tradeshows (they will start again one day, honest!). Does AirPlug support forms? I don’t want to actually view the table during this time, just input and build a list of offline entries with a form front-end (using logic, though I haven’t checked that yet in Airtable as it is pointless without first having the offline capture).
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