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Product Update: Improvements to Base Navigation

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Rotimi_Iziduh
5 - Automation Enthusiast
5 - Automation Enthusiast

Hi everyone!

I’m Rotimi Iziduh and I’m the product manager working on various Core Surfaces here at Airtable. I’m super excited to share a set of upcoming updates that make the in-base experience easier to navigate, and improve the discoverability of the automations and interfaces features. Specifically, we are introducing a new top navigational structure that contains the below three tabs:

  • Data: This is the default starting point of the old experience. As before, it is where you will review and edit the various tables and views that contain your data
  • Automations: This provides easier access to automations that trigger various actions based on your underlying data
  • Interfaces: This gives quick access to a visual layer to turn your underlying data and automations into apps that are tailored to your unique workflows

To illustrate this, here’s a quick before and after snapshot:

Before:
44aa160a7b3ee7d31903aba031ca4251f6b3f022.png

After:
e75af9dcef447018eb85c8b0806619c698019cdd.png

We’re excited to launch these improvements and please keep an eye out for more exciting updates across your favorite Airtable surfaces!

Thanks,
Rotimi

These updates will be rolled out to 100% by end of day tomorrow. If you aren’t seeing these changes reflected, please try clearing your cache.

59 Comments
Kamille_Parks
16 - Uranus
16 - Uranus

I like the move to clarify people are looking at “data” vs “automations” vs “interfaces”.

Just so people don’t wonder “what happened to the ‘x’ button”, here’s a few changes I noticed:

  • For bases that have an Icon, that icon is now the button to get back to your Workspaces. Bases that don’t have an icon will show the Airtable logo in the same spot it used to be (top left).
  • The Snapshots and Base Trash icons were collapsed into one icon for Base History. Its the icon to the right of the notifications icon
  • The dropdown to see the list of all tables in the base under the Data tab used to be all the way to the left as a hamburger icon, its now to the right next to the Add/Import button as a down arrow.
    • (I actually think this should be moved back the left, since that’s how it is for the View Finder. Also if you have a lot of tables, you don’t want to scroll all the way over there, putting it fixed at the left means you can search through all your tables easily.)
Julien_Mottet1
6 - Interface Innovator
6 - Interface Innovator

With this update, It seems to me that Airtable is less and less “Excel on Steroid”.

I don’t know if i like this.

Partyborn
6 - Interface Innovator
6 - Interface Innovator

I think I already received this update since I registered like 2 weeks ago. Is it possible that I was in a beta that is now the new default?

ScottWorld
18 - Pluto
18 - Pluto

These are really great changes across the board! Thanks, @Rotimi_Iziduh! :grinning_face_with_big_eyes: :raised_hands: :medal_military:

I agree with @Kamille_Parks that the dropdown menu (to see the full list of tables) is a bit more difficult to find now, although I never really used that dropdown menu too much before, so I don’t think that it will affect me too much.

However, one change that I would really love to see is to please remove the unnecessary tooltip that shows up when you hover over the name of the view in the top toolbar.

The tooltip in the top toolbar:

(1) is redundant because it already shows up when you hover over the name of the view in the left margin, but more importantly,

(2) this tooltip actually BLOCKS the view names in the left margin, which was specifically what you were trying to see by hovering over the name of the view in the top toolbar. So you’re required to hover over the view name and then you immediately have to move your mouse to see the names of the views in the left margin.

Thanks! :grinning_face_with_big_eyes:

Yes, that is likely what happened.

Partyborn
6 - Interface Innovator
6 - Interface Innovator

It took me a lot of time to find out, how to get to my other bases. I always went via the top right icon, to my account, selecting my workspace, going to the mini link on the top right to go to my bases. That the icon on the left is clickable on hover was not obvious to me (and I am a software developer). It would make sense to outstand this icon or add a “To all bases” button under the profil icon menu.

kuovonne
18 - Pluto
18 - Pluto

Thank you for this announcement! Would you mind sharing what constitutes “Core Surfaces”? I noticed that earlier this year you informed us about the redesigned record expanded view.

I was pleased to see that Airtable was open to feedback on the expanded view redesign. Is it safe to say that you are also open to feedback on this re-design?

  • For example, Kamille notes that base icons have replaced the Airtable logo that is used to return to the workspaces, and Partyborn noted that this caused confusion. I think that the logo should be brought back.

  • Kamille also notes that the list of all tables has moved from the left side of the screen to the right side, and thinks it should be moved back to the left. I also agree that I preferred having it on the left, near the list of views.

The community would appreciate it if you could let us know if any of these suggestions are being implemented.

ScottWorld
18 - Pluto
18 - Pluto

I also agree that the Airtable logo should be brought back. This helps Airtable in terms of branding, and also helps with ease of use.

Joe_Hewes
7 - App Architect
7 - App Architect

I kind of like the new look, but I do worry that automations has been brought out of hiding a little, I fear some questions coming my way from my users!

Andrew_Davies
7 - App Architect
7 - App Architect

i like this, but do agree the list of tables is hard to find now.

Love the floating windows in the automation pane!

Question - is there a keyboard shortcut to switch between tabs? Always thought there should be but never found one.

Andrew

Vivid-Squid
11 - Venus
11 - Venus

Or allow upload of custom logo.