---
title: "Add parent records from within child records"
slug: "adding-parent-records-from-within-child-records"
updated: 2026-04-24T15:58:45Z
published: 2026-04-24T15:58:45Z
canonical: "help.quickbase.com/adding-parent-records-from-within-child-records"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.quickbase.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Add parent records from within child records

Add a parent record while you add or edit a child record. This lets you stay on the form of the child record instead of navigating to another table.

For example, when you enter a record in an Orders table, you can create a new record in the related Customers table without leaving the order form.

This option is possible if:

- The parent and child tables have a one-to-many relationship.
- You have permission to create records in the parent table. If the parent table is in another app, you must have create permission in that app.

Learn more about [table-to-table relationships](/v1/docs/what-are-table-to-table-relationships).

> [!NOTE]
> Important
> 
> If your permissions in the parent table are granted because you are a member of a group, you are not able to add a parent record from within the child form.

## Add a parent record while adding or editing a child record

1. [Add or edit](/v1/docs/add-or-edit-a-record) a record.
2. Locate the reference field that links the child record to the parent table. This is the field containing values from the parent table, such as a list of customer names. It appears as a drop-down containing values from your parent table.
3. Open the reference field list, then select **Create a new record**. The word *record* changes to match the type of record in your table, such as *customer*.
4. Complete the parent record form, then select **Save**. Quickbase creates the new parent record and automatically populates the reference field's drop-down with the value.
5. Complete the child record form, then select **Save** to finish.