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Copy Result of one Filed to another Text Field

SparKey
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Hi, I want to be able to copy the result in one field into another single-line text file so that I can look it up. 

The first field is multi-select. All I want to do is convert it into a single-line text field. I need this to look up the text from another table. 

I need to do this because the first field is already a lookup in this table from yet another, and I need to be able to link some of the details from a third table altogether. 

I hope this is making sense. I don’t know how else to explain it. 

Thanks 

S

Best answer by BillH

You should be able to do this by creating a formula field using {name of field}&”” - or with Alexey’s example the formula would be {Single text}&””.

You shouldn’t need an automation unless you have a specific requirement that would show the selections at a given point in time (for example, at creation).

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K
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  • khanhnguyen
  • Participating Frequently
  • March 18, 2025

You can simply copy the cell into the single-line text field. If it’s the first time you copy a value, it may automatically switch the field type to multi-select. In that case, you’ll need to manually change the field back to a single-line text field.

 

It would be helpful to understand your goal more clearly, as there might be a more efficient way to structure your tables and relationships.

Alexey_Gusev
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Hi,
To be honest, I can’t say I 100% understand. You can duplicate and convert it to Single select, or just copy it to Single-select, or create a formula with field name only.
 

 

SparKey
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  • SparKey
  • Inspiring
  • March 18, 2025

OK. It's close, but I need the process to be a formula or Automation because I won’t be in the position to manually do this every time. 

BillH
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  • BillH
  • Brainy
  • March 18, 2025

You should be able to do this by creating a formula field using {name of field}&”” - or with Alexey’s example the formula would be {Single text}&””.

You shouldn’t need an automation unless you have a specific requirement that would show the selections at a given point in time (for example, at creation).

SparKey
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  • SparKey
    SparKey
Mike_AutomaticN
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Hey ​@SparKey!

My understanding is that when filtering records on a given table you’d like to type letter by letter what you’d like to search for. -This filtering is not possible for Multiple Select fields (as you would need to manually pick existing options), and therefore you’d like to have them as text in order to apply a filter which will say “xxx field Contains... [your text]”. Correct?

If so, the formula field you’ll be creating should just reference the multiple select field. See image below with an example for it. “Multiple Select” is the name of the field of multiple select type.

 


 


If you need further help, do not hesitate to reach out or schedule a call using this link.

Mike, Consultant @ Automatic Nation

SparKey
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  • SparKey
    SparKey
BillH
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  • BillH
  • Brainy
  • March 18, 2025

​@Mike_AutomaticN is correct.  My formula was explicitly casting the output to text, which I believe was required at one time, but it could also be a memory lapse.  

garebear
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  • garebear
    garebear
SparKey
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  • SparKey
  • Inspiring
  • March 18, 2025
BillH wrote:

You should be able to do this by creating a formula field using {name of field}&”” - or with Alexey’s example the formula would be {Single text}&””.

You shouldn’t need an automation unless you have a specific requirement that would show the selections at a given point in time (for example, at creation).

This was what I was looking for. For some reason I had it in my head that I needed something more complex for the formula. I just wanted to generate the field as text so that I could use this in another field lookup.to pull data from another table. Very complex and I am sure there are better ways to do it. but if this works it can be the interim solution.

 

Thanks again to you all for your help. What I love about airtable is the community around it. really starting to love the interactions. 

 

Simon

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