How to create a dependent dropdown in Airtable?

Discover a hands-on guide to crafting dependent dropdowns in Airtable. Get step-by-step instructions, tips, and best practices along the way. Streamline data entry and boost workflow efficiency for smoother processes.

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Overview

Setting up a dependent dropdown in Airtable means creating fields that change automatically based on what's picked in other fields. It makes data entry smoother by shrinking the list of options as choices are made. Important steps? Configuring tables, linking records, and setting up lookup fields to make those dependencies work. Planning well and structuring everything right is super crucial to get these dropdowns working properly and keep the data clean. Knowing how Airtable features like linked records and conditional logic function is key to pulling off this setup.

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How to create a dependent dropdown in Airtable?

Step 1: Create Your Base and Tables

Open your Airtable workspace and create a new base, or just open an existing one.
Make two tables: one for the main categories (Table 1) and another for the dependent items (Table 2).

Step 2: Set Up Main Categories

In Table 1, create a new column named "Category" and fill it with your main categories.
Make sure the column type is set as Single Line Text.

Step 3: Set Up Dependent Items

In Table 2, create two columns: "Category" and "Item."
The "Category" column should also be a Single Line Text and the "Item" column is where you'll input dependent items.
Fill the "Category" column in Table 2 with the same categories used in Table 1, mapping each item to the right category.

Step 4: Link the Two Tables

In Table 2, change the "Category" column to a Link to another record type and link it to the "Category" column in Table 1.
This makes sure each item in Table 2 is correctly associated with a category from Table 1.

Step 5: Create a Form for Data Entry

Go to the Form view in your base.
Add a dropdown field for your primary category by selecting the "Category" field from Table 1.
Add another dropdown field for your dependent items by selecting the "Item" field from Table 2.

Step 6: Configure Conditional Logic

Head over to the Form view settings.
Enable conditional logic to show the dependent item dropdown based on the selection made in the main category dropdown.
Set up rules so that if a specific category is picked in the first dropdown, only the relevant items in the second dropdown are shown.

Step 7: Test Your Form

Preview your form and select a main category.
Make sure the dependent items are filtered correctly based on the category chosen.
Adjust any settings if needed to ensure the dropdowns work as expected.

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