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Synced tables and changed field names

Topic Labels: Sync
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rtrevor7767
4 - Data Explorer
4 - Data Explorer

I have a table (source table) synced via a one-way sync to a table in another base (target table). I recently changed the name of a field in the source table, and I noticed that the name of the field in the target table did not update to match the updated field name of the source table. Is there a way to automatically sync the field names, or do I have to manually update the field name in the target table? Thank you for your help. 

6 Replies 6
shubhams021
5 - Automation Enthusiast
5 - Automation Enthusiast

Automatic sync works in Airtable. Please refer to the link https://support.airtable.com/docs/getting-started-with-airtable-sync

Thank you for your response. I should not have used the word "automatic" in my post. I understand that sync can be automatic. I have my sync settings set for automatic syncing. Because of this, the records in my target table do, in fact, sync automatically when a change is made to the source record in the source table. 

My problem is that I changed the name of a field in the source table, and this change to the source table is not being synced to the target table. 

I initially named a field in the source table as "cell phone #." when I created the synced table, the correspondence field in the target table was also named "cell phone #," as expected. I then changed the name of the field in the source table to "primary phone #." However, the field name in the target table is still shown as "cell phone #." Neither automatic syncing nor a manual sync has resulted in the updating of the field name in the target table.

I am trying to determine if changes to field names in the source table are supposed to sync to the target table or if I will just have to manually rename the field in the target table. It would seem like this is type of change is something that should be handled by the sync setup between the two tables, but I don't see that it is.

I hope this clarifies the issue I am having, and thanks again for your help.

afassero
6 - Interface Innovator
6 - Interface Innovator

This is not a solution to the problem given by the author, but rather an explanation of why Field Names are not synced for a Synced Table.

Although it may be difficult, a solution is technically possible and should still be considered for a Feature Request.

ctg
4 - Data Explorer
4 - Data Explorer

I have a solution to this issue!!!

  1. Rename the source field.
  2. "Hide" the source field, causing the target fields to disappear
  3. After all target fields actually disappear (when syncing is complete), unhide the source field.
  4. The target field will reappear with the new field name
  5. NOTE 1: THIS WILL NOT AFFECT ANY FORMULAS! Try it! Test it!
  6. NOTE 2: This WILL definitely affect all places where you are filtering, grouping, sorting, coloring, automating, linking etc to this field, because once it disappears, it is removed from all those.
  7. Test it with caution, but it works for me!
kdburns
6 - Interface Innovator
6 - Interface Innovator

Genius