--- title: "FastField channel" slug: "fastfield-channel" updated: 2026-04-29T16:41:01Z published: 2026-04-29T16:41:01Z --- > ## 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. # FastField channel > *Go to the*[*Channels*](https://team.quickbase.com/nav/main/action/pipelines/channels)*page to learn more about what plans have access to this channel. Sign into Quickbase, and then go to Pipelines > Channels.* FastField is a cloud-based data entry solution that helps businesses of all sizes gather data, create forms, and collect information via tablets and smartphones. Primary features include question branching, collaboration, version control, text editing, dispatch, form routing, and duplicate detection. Learn more about FastField [FastField help center](https://mergemobile.zendesk.com/hc/en-us). ## Connect with the FastField channel To connect the FastField channel: 1. In the Pipeline Designer, add a step that uses the FastField channel. 2. In the new step, enter your FastField information to connect to FastField. This includes the FastField token, API URL base, and API subscription key. 3. Select the **Connect** button to authorize pipelines in FastField. ![FastField channel connection dialog showing fields for FastField Token, API URL Base, and API Subscription Key](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/24074313644180.png) About the fields: **FastField Token**—The way that FastField authenticates your account. To find your token in FastField: 1. In FastField, go to My Profile. 2. On the Security tab, select the **Manage API Tokens** button. 3. Select the **Add API Token** button, and then enter a name. For example, *Quickbase Pipelines Token*. 4. Save your token. This creates a token, which you can copy from FastField and paste into Quickbase. **API URL Base**—The API Base URL against which the requests will be done. By default, the Prod API URL Base is used (https://api.fastfieldforms.com) **API Subscription Key**— - You will need to have a FastField developer account. If you already have such an account - skip this step - If you don't have an account, you need to request a developer account. For information on how to do this, see [Looking for an API Key or API Documentation?](https://mergemobile.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/201081199-Looking-for-an-API-Key-or-API-Documentation-). - Log in to your FastField developer account: - [FastField developers account for Prod API](https://developer.fastfieldforms.com/) - In the top right corner, select your **Name → Profile** - In the **Your subscriptions** section, Select **Show** next to your Primary key, copy the value and paste it into the **API Subscription Key** field in the connect dialog of the channel. ![FastField developer portal showing the Your subscriptions section with Primary key and Show button](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/19806756216852.png) After you connect, you see the channel's steps: ![FastField channel steps list showing available actions after connecting](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/20908800958612.png) ## Reconnect the FastField channel You may need to reconnect your account to a channel. Reasons may be (but not limited to): - If you need to connect a different account. - Authorization updates, such as a changed password. - Editing the access rights that Pipelines has to the channel. To reconnect: 1. Select a pipeline that already has this channel in it. 2. Open a step that contains this channel. 3. Under account, select **Connect (or reconnect)** and follow the process above, [Connect with the FastField channel](/v1/docs/fastfield-channel#connect-with-the-fastfield-channel). ![Pipeline step showing the Connect (or reconnect) option under the account section](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/19393582759956.png) ## Steps The steps you can use with FastField include categories like Forms and Form Dispatches. | TYPE | NAME | DESCRIPTION | | --- | --- | --- | | Forms | | Query | Search Forms | Searches all Forms based on your search criteria. Returns a list of Forms each represented by ID and Name | | Form Dispatches | | Action | Dispatch a Form | Sends assignment (single-use form) to specific users or user groups, along with instructions, pre-filled data, etc. | | Action | Recall a Dispatch | Recalls a dispatch by given **ID**. | ## Limits The maximum file attachment size is 19.5MB when sending emails through the workflow. ## Dispatch a Form step This section discusses more about the **Dispatch a Form** step. ### Dynamically set merge fields When configuring the dispatch a form step, you can choose to dynamically set merge fields. By default, this option is set to *No*, meaning you manually select merge fields to pre-fill from the Merge Fields dropdown. Learn more about selecting [merge fields](/v1/docs/fastfield-channel#merge-fields-options-field). If set to *Yes*, this option allows you to dynamically fill the Form ID and form fields, using merge field IDs and values stored in your Quickbase records. ![dynamically-set-merge-fields.png](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/39547054115732.png) For example, you may have multiple FastField forms that you want to dispatch based on specific conditions. You can use this setting to dynamically dispatch forms based on the Form ID, field IDs and values you select. To configure this setting: 1. Set up a Quickbase table to store the FastField merge fields. Each record should contain a separate merge field, with fields for the merge field ID and corresponding merge field value. [Learn what values are allowed](/v1/docs/fastfield-channel#values-allowed-in-the-merge-field-value-field). ![merge-fields-table.png](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/39547008287764.png) 2. Create a pipeline and select the Dispatch a Form step. 3. In Dynamically Set Merge Fields, select **Yes**. 4. Set a Quickbase field to populate the Form ID. You can use a Jinja reference, rather than specify a specific value. 5. In Merge Fields, select the Quickbase fields that store the Merge Fields IDs and Merge Fields Values you want to include in your form. ![merge-fields-list.png](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/39547054119956.png) #### Values allowed in the Merge Field Value field | **Merge Field Type** | **Merge Field Value Format** | **Example** | | --- | --- | --- | | Text | String | "test text" | | Long text | String | "test long text" | | Static text | String | "test static text" | | Numeric | Number | 10 | | Formatted numeric | Number | `3591234567` Note: If the display mask is set to (###) ###-####, then the value will be interpreted as: (359) 123-4567 | | Rating | String | `"2"` Note: "1" is for rating 1, `"2"` is for rating 2, and so on … "-1" is for rating NA | | Option List (single select) | String | `"option 1"` | | Option List (multi select) | List of strings | `["option 1", "option 2"]` | | List (single select) | String | `"option 1"` | | List (multi select) | List of strings | `["option 1", "option 2"]` | | Global List (single select) | String | `"option 1"` | | Global List (multi select) | List of strings | `["option 1", "option 2"]` | | Lookup List (single select) | String | `"option 1"` | | Lookup List (multi select) | List of strings | `["option 1", "option 2"]` | | DataTable List (single select) | String | `"option 1"` | | DataTable List (multi select) | List of strings | `["option 1", "option 2"]` | | Date/Time | String | `"2025-07-24T00:00:00+03:00"` | | Yes/No/Na | Number | `1` Note: `0 `for No `1 `for Yes `-1` for NA | | Switch | Boolean | `true` | | Location | Object | `{  ` `  "latitude": 38.418129,  ` `  "longitude": -121.393257}` | | Subform | List of list of objects | `[[  ` `  {  ` `  "fieldKey": "alpha_1",  ` `  "value": "some text 1 here in subform"  ` `  },  ` `  {  ` `  "fieldKey": "alpha_5",  ` `  "value": "some text 1 here in subform"  ` `  } ` `]]` | ### Merge fields options field The Merge Fields options field lists all the available (currently supported) merge fields that the customer can select for pre-population before dispatching the currently selected form. > [!NOTE] > Note > > Only the enabled merge fields are listed in the Merge Fields options field. After the merge fields are selected in the options field, a new Merge Fields section appears in the mapping of the step: ![Merge Fields options field showing available merge fields selected for pre-population](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/19526258646676.png) Once the merge fields are selected in the options field, a new Merge Fields section displays in the mapping of the step: ![Merge Fields section appearing in step mapping after merge fields are selected in the options field](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/19526258654484.png) ### Supported FastField merge field types These are all the FastField merge field types that are currently supported for pre-population in the **Dispatch a Form** step in Pipelines: - Single Photo - Document Viewer - Text - Long Text - Static Text - Numeric - Formatted Numeric - Rating - Option List - List - Date/Time - Yes/No/NA - Switch - Location / GPS - Data Table - Subform For more information about the FastField field types see [Form Field Types](https://mergemobile.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/sections/200430453-Form-Field-Types). ### Information about the different FastField merge field types This table explains different FastField merge field types. | **FastField merge field type** | **Field type in Pipelines** | **Supported custom properties** | **Example of the field** | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | For all **currently supported** field types | | **Enabled, Required, Default** | | | **Single Photo** | Nested Field | | ![Single Photo field type as a nested field in the Pipelines Dispatch a Form step](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/38264103339028.png) | | **Document Viewer** | Nested Field | | ![Document Viewer field type as a nested field in the Pipelines Dispatch a Form step](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/38264103341460.png) | | **Text** | String | | ![t1.png](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/19526446582036.png) | | **Long Text** | String | | ![t2.png](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/19526453020820.png) | | **Numeric** | Number | | ![t3.png](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/19526505867796.png) | | **Static Text** | String | | ![Static Text field type as a string field in the Pipelines Dispatch a Form step](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/24307285648404.png) | | **Formatted Numeric** | Number | Display Mask The Display Mask is represented as a placeholder value in the field and it is also displayed as a description under the field. The value is sent as a raw number. | ![t4.png](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/19526505874836.png) | | **Rating** | Single-select List | Allow NA It is represented as an additional NA value that is available for select Show Labels It is represented as labels next to the values in the drop-down | ![t5.png](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/19526519985812.png) | | **Option List** | Single-select / Multiple-select List | Allow Multi Select By default, this field is represented as a single-select list, but if this option is selected in FastField, the field will be represented as a multiple-select list | ![t6.png](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/19526548572692.png) | | **List** | Single-select / Multiple-select List | Allow Multi Select By default, this field is represented as a single-select list, but if this option is selected in FastField, the field will be represented as a multiple-select list | ![t7.png](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/19526890866452.png) | | **Date/Time** | DateTime | | ![t8.png](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/19526979618836.png) | | **Yes/No/NA** | Single-select List | Allow NA It is represented as an additional NA value that is available for select | ![t9.png](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/19527011437716.png) | | **Switch** | Boolean | | ![t10.png](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/19527011447828.png) | | **Location / GPS** | Nested field - Number | | ![t11.png](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/19526979637012.png) | | **Data Table** | Single-select / Multiple-select List | | ![Screenshot 2025-06-17 at 11.35.11.png](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/38521968081684.png) | | **Subform** | Nested field | | ![image-20231005-144350.png](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/19807031086740.png) | ### Working with multiple subform instances You can pre-fill multiple instances of a subform in the Dispatch a Form step. To do so, fill in the subform's fields with Jinja expressions that reference previous query steps and return arrays of objects. [See an example](/v1/docs/fastfield-channel#prefilling-multiple-subform-instances) of this use case. **Limits for pre-filling multiple instances of a subform:** - The maximum number of subform instances that can be pre-filled is 100. - The maximum size of the pre-filled data in each field of the subform is 1 MB. - It is not possible for a subform field to be pre-filled with a textual representation of an array, or for this value to be parsed as an array. Meaning, it is not possible for the elements of a textual representation of an array to be mapped to the subform instances. Any value other than a Jinja reference of a previous query step will be parsed as a single value and will be repeated in all subform instances. ### Dispatch details In the pipeline, specify dispatch details in these fields: - Title - Description - [Dispatch To](/v1/docs/fastfield-channel#dispatch-types) - Due date - Project - Status - Priority - Reference ID - [Location](/v1/docs/fastfield-channel#location) Learn more about these fields in the [FastField documentation](https://mergemobile.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360046362732-Dispatch-a-Single-Task). #### Dispatch types There are four different options for dispatching a form: Account User, User Group, External Party, and Multiple Account Users. Account User and External Party expect a single email address to be supplied. Use Account User when the email address belongs to a person who has an account in FastField. Use External Party for someone who does not have an account in FastField. User Group expects the name of a User Group to be defined in FastField. ![dispatch.png](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/19527202075028.png) As their names suggest, Multiple Account Users via User ID and Multiple Account Users via Email address dispatch a form to multiple people who have an account in FastField. Multiple Account Users via User ID expects a list of User IDs while Multiple Account Users via Email address expects a list of Email addresses. The list can be the result of a previous step, for instance, the Search Records step from the Quickbase channel, or it can be constructed manually, by supplying multiple email addresses/user ids separated by a new line. > [!NOTE] > Note > > The option to send an email along with the dispatch is only available when dispatching to one of Account User, Multiple Account Users via Email address, or External Party. For more information about the FastField Dispatches, see [Dispatches](https://mergemobile.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/categories/360005066592-Dispatches). #### Location Specify a location where the task is to be completed by using the Address, Latitude and Longitude fields. > [!NOTE] > Note > > If the Address field is empty, FastField displays the Latitude and Longitude. If the Latitude and Longitude are empty, FastField attempts to use the Address field to determine the coordinates. ![Screenshot 2025-06-17 at 11.35.59.png](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/38521944995604.png) ## Use cases Here are some use case examples to help you understand how to use the FastField channel. ### Dispatch a form In this example, we dispatch a form to inspect a Job Site when a Safety issue is found. ![ff.use.1.png](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/19592975552532.png) ### Pre-fill multiple subform instances In this example, we use the data in each record to pre-fill a separate instance of a subform when dispatching a form. ![prefill-subform-data.png](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/34145939837588.png) We create the pipeline using these steps: ![dispatch-a-form-workflow.png](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/34145939845780.png) 1. A **Search Records** step that queries the records from our table. We don't need the loop that is generated after the query step. It can be deleted. 2. A **Dispatch a Form** step. The Subform fields should be filled in using the fields from our table: ![merge-fields.png](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/34145939849492.png) These jinja references provide all of the data that is contained in the corresponding column of the table. In this case: name, age, address, and job title. ![merge-fields-code-view.png](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/34145910104084.png) This results in subform instances being pre-filled with data from each record in the table, for example: - The first subform instance is pre-filled with the data: name1, 12, street1, job1 - The second subform instance is pre-filled with the data: name2, 13, street2, job2 ### Schedule maintenance tasks In this example, we schedule maintenance tasks on equipment on a specified cadence. First, we set up a check to see if any equipment needs to be examined: ![ff.use.2.png](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/19593445701140.png) Then we set this check to occur on the first of every month: ![ff.use.2b.png](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/19593447976596.png)