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Re: Import a CSV while Preserving linked Field Relationship with Synced Table

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Pace_Farbstein
5 - Automation Enthusiast
5 - Automation Enthusiast

I'm using the CSV Import extension to import data into an existing table. I am trying to preserve a linked field relationship so that when data is imported, it does so into a linked field. I understand this is possible, however, the linked field I am working with is linked to a table that is synced from another base.

When I try to import, I get an error message saying "You can't create records in 'Table' because it is a synced table." Are there any workarounds or is this just a limitation of Airtable? 

If I turn off the field (complete_machine_sn), I don't get an error message. At the end of the day, my goal is just to import the data and preserve the linked relationship, as I have downstream workflows that required that linked relationship.

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ScottWorld
18 - Pluto
18 - Pluto

@Pace_Farbstein 

Synced tables do not allow the creation of new records because they are read-only tables.

So, if you'd like to import data into your linked record field which links to that read-only table, you would need to make sure that every value that you're trying to import into the linked record field ALREADY PRE-EXISTS in the synced table.

If not, you would need to go back to the original sync table's source (back in the original source base) and add your desired linked values there first.

Then, you would be able to complete the CSV import after that.

Hope this helps! If you’d like to hire an expert Airtable consultant to help you with anything Airtable-related, please feel free to contact me through my website: Airtable consultant — ScottWorld

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3 Replies 3
ScottWorld
18 - Pluto
18 - Pluto

@Pace_Farbstein 

Synced tables do not allow the creation of new records because they are read-only tables.

So, if you'd like to import data into your linked record field which links to that read-only table, you would need to make sure that every value that you're trying to import into the linked record field ALREADY PRE-EXISTS in the synced table.

If not, you would need to go back to the original sync table's source (back in the original source base) and add your desired linked values there first.

Then, you would be able to complete the CSV import after that.

Hope this helps! If you’d like to hire an expert Airtable consultant to help you with anything Airtable-related, please feel free to contact me through my website: Airtable consultant — ScottWorld

Pace_Farbstein
5 - Automation Enthusiast
5 - Automation Enthusiast

Thanks Scott! After a two hour back and forth with Chat GPT, I was able to write a script using Airtable's "scripting" extension that accomplished what I needed. I noticed that one value wasn't properly populated and when I looked back at the reference table that was synced to the new table where the linked record was linked to, I noticed a single "m" within a Serial Number that was lowercase instead of capitalized. When i fixed that, I was able to use the CSV import extension without issue (rather than the script). 

ScottWorld
18 - Pluto
18 - Pluto

Ha! It's always something small like that! Glad you got it resolved! 😀