I’d love to see a new data type that takes the URL of an image file and renders the image rather than just displaying the URL as a link. I would think that this would save you some storage space as well by letting us link to hosted files rather than pulling them in as attachments.
I have been experimenting with trying to achieve this very thing using a URL to a JPG file stored on Google Drive. I was able to successfully link to a thumbnail view of the image, but nothing more.
I think the attribute of the file on Google Drive was called “Thumbnail Link”.
I was just thinking of this one last week. Specifically if Airtable has access to iCloud Drive where I keep all my project images (not Apple Photos), for obvious reasons.
I also support that idea as it will be a good way to generate barcode and/or QR Code for printing and then scan with the new barcode field type.
Therefore a formula using image(URL) function (like in google spreadsheet) will best answer my needs as the URL has to be built dynamically (based on content of other fields).
This would be fantastic, especially if you could combine it with a lookup field so you could auto-pull images using a naming convention. Using a URL like this for example:
Seconded for supporting thumbnail views of externally hosted images. This would be super helpful for museums and other collections-based organizations that likely already have a digital asset management system. Not to mention the fact it would drastically lighten your server load.
I don’t think a new field type would be required—would just require adding another option in the attachments field dialog.
Agreed, this could be huge for any company that manages an ECOM website with standardized URL- and image-naming schemas. It’d effectively allow Airtable to become a lightweight DAM client.
We also see huge potential for barcodes/QRs, dynamically created based on lookups. Hear, hear!
