---
title: "Cross-app subtables"
slug: "xl-docs-configurator-cross-app-subtables"
updated: 2026-10-09T18:15:47Z
published: 2026-10-09T18:15:47Z
canonical: "help.quickbase.com/xl-docs-configurator-cross-app-subtables"
---

> ## 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.

# Cross-app subtables

The **Table** list in the XL Docs Subtable Configurator shows the tables in the app you opened the Configurator from. Sometimes the records you want in a data table live in a **different app**. XL Docs can read a data table from another app; you just point the data table at that table's ID by hand.

## Before you start

- The other app must be on the **same user token** that XL Docs uses for your app. If it isn't, XL Docs can't read the table's fields or records, in the Configurator or when it creates documents.
- Authorize the other app for XL Docs in the Extensions Portal. See [Extension tiles and pages](https://help.quickbase.com/quickbase-extensions/docs/en/add-on-tile-info).

## Set up a cross-app data table

1. **Create the data table with a placeholder table.** In the XL Docs Configurator, on the **Data Tables** tab, select **Add New Data Table**. On the **Table/Fields** tab, set **Table** to any table in the list—you'll swap it out in a moment. Set **Excel Sheet #**, and enter a clear **Description** you'll recognize later, for example *Cross-App Table Test*.
2. **Save and close.** Select **Save**. When you see *Settings saved successfully.*, close the pop-up.
3. **Find the other table's ID.** In the other app, open the table you want. Its table ID appears in the browser's address bar while you're on the table, after *table/* (or after *db/* in older links). Copy it. See [Find your Client ID, table IDs, and field IDs](https://help.quickbase.com/quickbase-extensions/docs/en/find-client-id-table-ids-field-ids).
4. **Edit the data table record.** Back in your app, open the Document Templates record. In its list of Document Subtable Excel records, find the one with your description and edit it. Replace the value in the [dbid](https://help.quickbase.com/quickbase-extensions/docs/en/xl-docs-document-subtable-excel-table#dbid) field with the other table's ID, and save the record.
5. **Reopen the Subtable Configurator.** Select the **XL Docs Subtable Configurator** button on that record (or **Edit** on its row in the Data Tables tab). The Configurator loads the other app's table and its fields. Map the cells, then set up the **Data-Grid Settings**, **Query**, and **Subtotal/Group** tabs as usual (see [Configure a data table](https://help.quickbase.com/quickbase-extensions/docs/en/xl-docs-configurator-configure-a-data-table)).

> [!WARNING]
> Important
> 
> Don't pick a table in the **Table** list after you've entered the other app's table ID. Choosing a table there replaces the cross-app table ID with the table you choose, and clears the cell mapping. In the Data Tables grid, the **Table Name** for a cross-app data table may show the table ID instead of a name.

## If it doesn't work

- If the table's fields don't load, or you see an error, check that the other app is on the same user token as your app and is authorized for XL Docs.
- Check that the **dbid** value is the table ID, not the app ID.
- If you still have questions, [submit a technical support case](https://help.quickbase.com/docs/get-help-from-quickbase-technical-support).

See also [XL Docs Configurator messages and troubleshooting](https://help.quickbase.com/quickbase-extensions/docs/en/xl-docs-configurator-troubleshooting).