Use data tables in FastField

Use data tables in FastField to manage lists that populate in FastField forms.

Create a data table with information like customer or project details. Then, use it as a dropdown list in forms. Whenever you update the data table, all forms with lists connected to this table automatically update.

You can also use Quickbase tables as the source of data tables. Learn more about syncing Quickbase tables with data tables.

Create a new data table

There are four ways to create a new data table in FastField:

From a Quickbase table

Beta
This feature is in closed beta in FastField. To request access to connect a data table to a Quickbase table, contact the FastField Support Team.

In the FastField Portal, go to Lists > Data Tables.
Select + New Table and then Connect to a Quickbase table.
Choose an existing Quickbase integration or create a new one. Then select the Quickbase app and table to use as the data table.
Choose one or more fields from your Quickbase table to include in your data table.
Choose the data type for each column, and whether it should be required or not.
Select a column to use as a lookup key. This determines if Quickbase tables will update data table records or add a new record.
Name your data table. You can also allow users to add new records to the data table list when filling out a form (like new customer or project details).

When your Quickbase-connected data table is set up, add it to your form in the FastField form builder.

From scratch

In the FastField Portal, go to Lists > Data Tables.
Select + New Table and then Create a table from scratch.
Enter a name, data type, and requirement status for each column in your table.
- Select + Add Column to create as many columns as you need.
To designate specific columns as unique, turn on the I prefer to use my own lookup keys toggle. Select + Add lookup key to select one or more columns. This ensures all entries in this column are unique so this column can be used as a lookup key.
Name your data table.
- Optional: Turn on the Button Alias toggle to rename the default Add New button. This button appears in the app and Portal when adding a new record to the table.
- Optional: Turn on the Allow users to add items within the app toggle to let users add new records to the table when filling out a form in the FastField app.

From an Excel or CSV file

In the FastField Portal, go to Lists > Data Tables.
Select + New Table and then Create a table from an Excel or CSV file.
Upload an Excel or CSV file.
Choose the data type and requirement status for each column.
- Select + Add Column to create more columns.
Validate that the data types selected match the data within each column. Correct any mismatches shown before continuing.
To designate specific columns as unique, turn on the I prefer to use my own lookup keys toggle.
- Select + Add lookup key to select one or more columns. This ensures all entries in this column are unique so this column can be used as a lookup key.
Name your data table.
- Optional: Turn on the Button Alias toggle to rename the default Add New button. This button appears in the app and Portal when adding a new record to the table.
- Optional: Turn on the Allow users to add items within the app toggle to let users add new records to the table when filling out a form in the FastField app.

From a Google Sheet

In the FastField Portal, go to Lists > Data Tables.
Select + New Table and then Connect to a Google Sheet.
Select an existing Google Sheets integration or create a new one. Then, choose the spreadsheet and specific sheet you want to use.
Choose the data type and requirement status for each column.
- Select + Add Column to create more columns.
Validate that the data types selected match the data within each column. Correct any mismatches shown before continuing.
To designate specific columns as unique, turn on the I prefer to use my own lookup keys toggle.
- Select + Add lookup key to select one or more columns. This ensures all entries in this column are unique so this column can be used as a lookup key.
Name your data table.
- Optional: Turn on the Button Alias toggle to rename the default Add New button. This button appears in the app and Portal when adding a new record to the table.
- Optional: Turn on the Allow users to add items within the app toggle to let users add new records to the table when filling out a form in the FastField app.

Add a data table list to a form

Go to the FastField Form Builder by editing an existing form or creating a new one.
Select Data Tables List from the Add Fields menu.
Under Data Tables Settings, choose the data table you want to use.

Data tables vs. lookup lists

Data tables and lookup lists are both tools used to manage data and create dropdown lists within FastField forms. They offer different levels of functionality, however.

Functionality	Data tables	Lookup lists
Updating	Update data tables directly No need to upload files Forms are updated in real time	Edit the CSV or XLS file and re-uploading it to update
Modifying individual rows	Edit, add, or delete individual rows via API services, mobile form submissions, or through the FastField Portal	Not supported
Integrations	Google Sheets Quickbase	Not supported
Loading time in the app	Faster loading time, even for large lists Only modified rows are cached for offline use	Slower loading time for large lists The entire file needs to be downloaded
Updating in the app	Users can add and update records directly in the field Sync changes when online	Not supported