Airtable Builder Certification key terms
Airtable Builder Certification · Get comfortable with the vocabulary.
- Base
- Related: Table, Workspace
A single Airtable database file that holds a set of related tables, views, records, and the collaborators who can access them. It is the top-level container for an app.
- Table
- Related: Record, Field
A collection of records that share the same fields, similar to a spreadsheet sheet. Each table typically represents one kind of thing, such as projects or contacts.
- Record
- Related: Field, Primary Field
A single row in a table, representing one item such as one customer or one task. Records hold values for every field defined in that table.
- Field
- Related: Field Type, Record
A column in a table that holds one type of data for every record, such as text, number, date, or link. The field type controls what values are allowed and how they display.
- Field Type
- Related: Field, Linked Record Field
The data format assigned to a field, such as single line text, number, date, checkbox, attachment, or linked record. Changing the type can convert or reject existing values.
- Primary Field
- Related: Record, Linked Record Field
The first field in a table, used as the display name for each record when records are linked or referenced elsewhere. It cannot be deleted and is often a text field.
- View
- Related: Filter, Grid View
A saved way of looking at a table's records, showing only selected fields and filtered or sorted rows. Views do not change the underlying data and can be shared or locked.
- Grid View
- Related: View, Filter
The default spreadsheet-style view of a table, showing records as rows and fields as columns. It supports inline editing, grouping, filtering, and sorting.
- Filter
- Related: View, Sort
A view condition that hides records not matching specified field rules, such as status equals Active. Filters affect only the view's display, not the stored records.
- Sort
- Related: View, Group
A view setting that orders records by one or more fields, ascending or descending. Sorting changes display order only and does not alter record data.
- Group
- Related: View, Sort
A view setting that bundles records with matching values in a chosen field into collapsible sections. It helps summarize data without creating separate tables.
- Linked Record Field
- Related: Lookup Field, Rollup Field
A field type that connects records in one table to records in another table, creating relationships. Links can allow one record to reference many records in the other table.
- Lookup Field
- Related: Linked Record Field, Rollup Field
A read-only field that pulls a value from a linked record in another table, such as showing a client's email on a project. It follows the link and displays the referenced field.
- Rollup Field
- Related: Linked Record Field, Lookup Field
A read-only field that aggregates values from linked records, such as summing hours or counting tasks. It applies a function like SUM, COUNT, or MAX across the linked records.
- Formula Field
- Related: Field Type, Conditional Field
A computed field that calculates a value from other fields in the same record using Airtable's formula syntax. Results update automatically when source values change.
- Conditional Field
- Related: Field, Formula Field
A field whose visibility depends on conditions met by other fields in the same record. It lets builders show relevant inputs only when certain criteria are true.
- Junction Table
- Related: Linked Record Field, Table
An intermediate table used to connect two tables in a many-to-many relationship by holding links to both. It is common when records on each side can relate to many on the other.
- Many-to-Many Relationship
- Related: Junction Table, Linked Record Field
A relationship where records in one table can link to many records in another and vice versa, such as students and courses. It usually requires a junction table to model correctly.
- Synced Table
- Related: Table, Base
A table that mirrors data from another base, keeping a read-only copy that refreshes on a schedule. It lets teams share data without granting access to the source base.
- Interface
- Related: Interface Page, Interface Element
A customizable page or app layer built on top of a base, presenting selected data and actions to specific audiences. Interfaces control layout, permissions, and what users can see or edit.
- Interface Page
- Related: Interface, Interface Element
A single screen within an interface that groups related elements, such as a dashboard or a record detail page. Pages can be linked together to form navigation.
- Interface Element
- Related: Interface Page, Interface
A building block placed on an interface page, such as a grid, chart, form, button, or text block. Each element is configured to display or collect specific data.
- Interface Designer
- Related: Interface, Interface Page
The editing environment where builders create and arrange interface pages and elements. It provides layout controls, element settings, and preview options.
- Interface Permission
- Related: Interface, Collaborator
A setting that controls what a user or group can see and do within an interface, such as view-only or edit access. It works alongside base-level permissions.
- Record Detail Page
- Related: Interface Page, Record
An interface page type that displays a single record's fields in a custom layout. It is often opened from a list or grid so users can view or edit one item.
- Automation
- Related: Trigger, Action
A rule that runs automatically when a trigger occurs, performing one or more actions such as creating records or sending notifications. Automations run without manual intervention once enabled.
- Trigger
- Related: Automation, Action
The event that starts an automation, such as a record being created, a field changing, a schedule firing, or a form submission. Each automation has exactly one trigger.
- Action
- Related: Automation, Trigger
A step an automation performs after its trigger, such as updating a record, sending an email, or creating a record in another table. Automations can contain multiple ordered actions.
- Conditional Logic
- Related: Action, Automation
Rules inside an automation that decide whether actions run, based on field values or prior step results. It lets one automation branch or skip steps for different records.
- Automation Run History
- Related: Automation, Action
A log showing each time an automation fired, which records were involved, and whether actions succeeded or failed. It is used to troubleshoot errors and confirm behavior.
- Collaborator
- Related: Workspace, Interface Permission
A person invited to a base or workspace with an assigned permission level, such as owner, editor, commenter, or read-only. Their role determines what they can change.
- Workspace
- Related: Base, Collaborator
A container that groups bases and controls who can access them at the organization or team level. It helps manage sharing and permissions across multiple bases.
- Form View
- Related: View, Record
A view that presents fields as a fillable form for collecting new records, with options to require fields and redirect after submission. It can be shared publicly or internally.
- Gallery View
- Related: View, Grid View
A view that displays records as large cards, often with attachments and selected fields. It is useful for visual browsing of items like products or photos.
- Kanban View
- Related: View, Single Select Field
A view that arranges records into columns based on a single select or linked field, letting users drag records between stages. It suits tracking work through statuses.
- Single Select Field
- Related: Field Type, Kanban View
A field type that lets users pick exactly one option from a predefined list, such as status or priority. Options can be color-coded and used for grouping and filtering.
- Attachment Field
- Related: Field Type, Gallery View
A field type that stores files such as images, documents, or PDFs with each record. Attachments can be previewed and are often shown in gallery or interface layouts.
- API Key / Personal Access Token
- Related: Base, Synced Table
A credential that lets external tools authenticate to Airtable's API and read or write base data. Access is scoped to specific bases and permissions.