---
title: "Create lookup fields"
slug: "creating-lookup-fields"
updated: 2026-04-29T16:20:47Z
published: 2026-04-29T16:20:47Z
canonical: "help.quickbase.com/creating-lookup-fields"
---

> ## 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.

# Create lookup fields

You may need to create a report that includes information from two different tables. First you [create a table-to-table relationship](/v1/docs/creating-table-to-table-relationships) between the tables, then to draw many values from the different tables together, you may need to enhance the relationship with ***lookup fields***.

You can create lookup fields:

- [By editing table-to-table relationships](/v1/docs/creating-lookup-fields#creating-lookup-fields-by-editing-tabletotable-relationships)
- [From within reports](/v1/docs/creating-lookup-fields#creating-a-lookup-field-from-within-a-report)
- [From the Report Builder](/v1/docs/creating-lookup-fields#creating-a-lookup-field-from-the-report-builder)

## Create lookup fields by editing table-to-table relationships

You must have an existing [relationship](/v1/docs/what-are-table-to-table-relationships), or [create a relationship](/v1/docs/creating-table-to-table-relationships) between two tables.

1. Open the app that contains the relationship you want to enhance with lookup fields.

If you created a relationship between tables in two different apps (a cross-app relationship), open the application that contains the child table.
2. Open the table.
3. Select **Settings**, then select **Table-to-table relationships**.
4. Select the relationship that you want to edit. The relationship properties appear:

![Relationship properties dialog with the Add Lookup Fields button in the Child Table section](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/editrelationship(1).png)
5. Select **Add Lookup Fields** at the bottom of the **Child Table**. A **New Lookup Fields** page appears.
6. On the New Lookup Fields page, select up to three lookup fields from the parent table that you want to display in the child table.
7. Select **Create** to save your changes.

To add more lookup fields, repeat the previous two steps.

Note: When you add a lookup field from within the Relationships list, it doesn't automatically appear on reports or forms. You'll need to add it yourself by [editing reports](/v1/docs/edit-a-legacy-table-report) or [customizing forms](/v1/docs/designing-legacy-forms).

## Create a lookup field from within a report

Note: This feature only exists in the legacy version of table reports.

Often you've displayed a report and you want to add a column of information to it.

To create a lookup field from within a report (and add it to the report):

1. Select the ![Report column menu button](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/rptmenu(1).png) button in the heading of the reference field that connects the child table to the parent table.
2. Within the menu that displays select **Add a column**.
3. Select a table related to Tablename and then choose the table from the drop-down. Quickbase displays a list of fields from the table you selected. ![Add a column from a related table dialog showing a list of related table fields](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/addrelated.png)
4. Select one or more fields and select **OK**. When you do so, Quickbase creates the lookup fields and adds them to the report.
5. To save the report, select **Save** at the top of the screen. If you select **Revert** instead, the report changes are not saved, but the lookup fields have still been created behind the scenes.

Note: When you add a lookup field to a report, it doesn't automatically appear on forms. You'll need to add it yourself by [customizing forms](/v1/docs/designing-legacy-forms).

## Create a lookup field from the Report Builder

There may be times when you're in the middle of [creating a report](/v1/docs/create-new-reports) and you realize that you want to incorporate a field from a related parent table.

To create a lookup field from the report builder:

1. Within the Report Builder, under the **Columns** section, select **Custom columns**.
2. Within the **Available** list that appears on the left, select **<Columns from a related table>**.

Quickbase displays a dialog box listing related tables and fields.
3. Select the table and field(s) you want to display in your report and select **OK**. Quickbase creates a lookup field and includes it in the report you're building.

Note: If the field you choose is part of multiple relationships, Quickbase first prompts you for more information. For example, say you're creating a report for the **Tasks** table and you choose the field **Company** from the **Resources** table. Quickbase displays a message telling you that the **Task Creator**, **Assigned To** and **Project Lead** fields all reference the **Company** field. The question you need to answer is: Whose company do you want to see -- the Task Creator's? the individual to whom the task is assigned? or the Project Lead? Make a choice and select **OK**.

Note: When you add a lookup field to a report, it doesn't automatically appear on custom forms. You'll need to add it yourself by [customizing forms](/v1/docs/designing-legacy-forms).