This keeps coming up, so here is a rundown of the options. I make one of the tools at the end (Basecellar), so read it knowing that.
An automation or import overwrote a field in many records:
- Revision history shows the old value of each record. Fine for a handful, slow for hundreds.
- A snapshot restores the whole base as a new base. You can copy the damaged column back, but records edited since then get overwritten too, so sort carefully and check first.
Records were deleted:
- The base trash keeps them for seven days. Use it first: it is free and the quickest way.
- After that, a snapshot (again as a new base), then copy the records over. They come back as new records, so links need fixing.
Copies outside Airtable:
- CSV download per view: free, but manual, and attachment links expire within hours.
- A scheduled export through the API: a script or an automation platform. You own the failures and the restore.
- A backup service. Worth asking each one: where do the copies live, can it put back single fields in the live base, does it show a preview, and what does it not back up (automations and interfaces usually).
What I built does the last kind: nightly copies into your own Google Drive, putting back single fields or deleted records after a preview. It does not copy automations, interfaces, views or comments, so keep snapshots on too. Comparison of all the options above, including the free ones: https://basecellar.com/guides/how-to-back-up-airtable?utm_source=airtable-community