New Field Type: JSON

[Michael_Walker]

It would be great to have a field type specifically for JSON (not just Long Text fields).

This would allow us to store more complex structures of data inside a single table, including custom properties that we may not know ahead of time. (For example, if we have Users who are sending us custom properties & values that they come up with).

I recorded a quick video to walk through the feature:

Descript

Video for Airtable Feature – JSON Fields - Descript

By Michael Walker, October 5, 2022

Thank you,
Michael

[ScottWorld]

Airtable employees don’t visit us here too often, so I would recommend sending your video & your feature request to support@airtable.com.

In the meantime, you might get some benefit from using the JSON extension:

Airtable

JSON editor - Apps - Airtable Marketplace

Edit JSON stored in long text fields on Airtable with the JSON editor app.

Or, you might enjoy the built-in JSON editor of On2Air Amplify:

On2Air | Airtable Apps for Your Business Operations – 16 Jun 21

On2Air: Amplify | On2Air

On2Air: Amplify is record editor and viewer. Create custom records by displaying or hiding fields, view documents or attachments in full-screen, and edit current records or create new records directly from the dashboard. On2Air: Amplify is an...

[Engjell_Sela]

Hi @Michael.Walker :wave:

I’m building nocodebase.xyz and it almost does what you’re looking for, it clones your Airtable database and turns into a JSON API.

Using JSON has made it possible to do multiple filters directly from URL, completely without code.

I’m currently building an integration with a website builder so no-coders can use it, but if you know some code, the API is ready.

If anything, don’t hesistate to reach out either here or on email ( eengjellsela@gmail.com )

Thanks!

[Karlstens]

I see that either having the Long Text field supporting formats such as JSON or XML would be extremely useful. Or alternatively, having extra functions within a Formula Field to output stringified Long Text to JSON or XML could useful too.

As a side note, I construct my own JSON output formula fields, they usually look something like this;

'{"name":"'   			& {Spaceship Name} 	& '",' & 
'"technology":{' 	&
IF( OR({Chassis} = "No Chassis"	, {Chassis} = BLANK()), "",
  '"chassis":"' & {Chassis} 			& '"') &
IF( OR({Core} = "No Core"		, {Core} = BLANK()), "",
  ',"core":"' & {Core} 				& '"') &  
IF( OR({Engine} = "No Engine"	, {Engine} = BLANK()), "",
  ',"engine":"' & {Engine} 			& '"') &  
IF( OR({Shield} = "No Shields"	, {Shield} = BLANK()), "",
  ',"shield":"' & {Shield} 			& '"') &
IF( OR({Armour} = "No Armour"	, {Armour} = BLANK()), "",
  ',"armour":"' & {Armour} 			& '"') &
IF( OR({Module Array} = "No Weapons"	, {Module Array} = BLANK()), "",
  ',"weapons":[' & {JSON Weapons Array} & ']') &
'}}'

 But then I have to validate the output in an external application - so it would be great if we could somehow validate a calulated JSON within an Airtable formula field.