Build apps
Tables and fields
A table holds one kind of thing, like Customers or Orders. Its fields are the pieces of information each record has. Build them under Build → Data.
#Add a table
Under Data, add a table and give it a name. A new table is empty: add the fields it needs. Each table has a display field that names its records in links and pickers; by default its first text-like field.
#Add a field
Give the field a name and pick its type. The field editor then shows only the settings of that type. Every field can also have:
- a description, shown as help under the field in forms;
- Required: a record can't be saved without a value;
- Unique: no two records may have the same value;
- Logic (for fields people fill in): a default value, a validation rule, and a show-if condition. See below.
#Settings by type
| Type | Settings |
|---|---|
| Text, long text | maximum length, placeholder; text can be filled by scanning a barcode or QR code |
| Email, phone, link to a website | placeholder |
| Number | decimals, minimum, maximum |
| Percent | decimals |
| Price | currency, decimals |
| Rating | the number of stars |
| Auto number | prefix and padding, e.g. JOB-0042 |
| Single select, multiple select | the options, each with a colour; rename options without losing data |
| Time | 12 or 24 hours |
| Duration | shown in minutes, hours or days |
| Link to another table | the linked table; Allow several for more than one |
| Person | Allow several for more than one person |
| File, image | how many files; for files, which types are allowed (like .pdf,image/*) |
| Location | the countries addresses are searched in |
| Button | the button's label and the automation it runs |
| Formula | the expression and its result type: text, number, date or checkbox |
#Logic: defaults, validation and show-if
Fields people fill in can have three expressions under Logic, each checked live on a sample record while you type:
| Setting | What it does | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Default value | fills a new record's form | TODAY(), USEREMAIL() |
| Validation + message | the record saves only when it's yes; otherwise the message shows | [End] >= [Start] |
| Show if | the field appears in forms only when it's yes | [Status] = "Lost" |
#Change anything later
Names, settings and even a field's type can change at any time. Data is stored under the field's fixed ID, so nothing is lost. Values that don't fit a new type are shown as they are, and come back if you change the type back.
#Removing never deletes data
Removing a table or field hides it; its data stays. Removed ones are listed under Removed: restore one to bring it back with all its data. A table can't be removed while other tables link to it: change or remove those link fields first.