Airtable Builder Certification study materials
Airtable Builder Certification study resources

Airtable Builder Certification key terms

Airtable Builder Certification · Get comfortable with the vocabulary.

Base

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.

Related: Table, Workspace
Table

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.

Related: Record, Field
Record

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.

Related: Field, Primary Field
Field

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.

Related: Field Type, Record
Field Type

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.

Related: Field, Linked Record Field
Primary 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.

Related: Record, Linked Record Field
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.

Related: Filter, Grid View
Grid View

The default spreadsheet-style view of a table, showing records as rows and fields as columns. It supports inline editing, grouping, filtering, and sorting.

Related: View, Filter
Filter

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.

Related: View, Sort
Sort

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.

Related: View, Group
Group

A view setting that bundles records with matching values in a chosen field into collapsible sections. It helps summarize data without creating separate tables.

Related: View, Sort
Linked Record 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.

Related: Lookup Field, Rollup Field
Lookup 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.

Related: Linked Record Field, Rollup Field
Rollup 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.

Related: Linked Record Field, Lookup Field
Formula 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.

Related: Field Type, Conditional Field
Conditional 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.

Related: Field, Formula Field
Junction 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.

Related: Linked Record Field, Table
Many-to-Many Relationship

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.

Related: Junction Table, Linked Record Field
Synced Table

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.

Related: Table, Base
Interface

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.

Related: Interface Page, Interface Element
Interface Page

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.

Related: Interface, Interface Element
Interface Element

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.

Related: Interface Page, Interface
Interface Designer

The editing environment where builders create and arrange interface pages and elements. It provides layout controls, element settings, and preview options.

Related: Interface, Interface Page
Interface Permission

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.

Related: Interface, Collaborator
Record Detail Page

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.

Related: Interface Page, Record
Automation

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.

Related: Trigger, Action
Trigger

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.

Related: Automation, Action
Action

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.

Related: Automation, Trigger
Conditional Logic

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.

Related: Action, Automation
Automation Run History

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.

Related: Automation, Action
Collaborator

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.

Related: Workspace, Interface Permission
Workspace

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.

Related: Base, Collaborator
Form View

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.

Related: View, Record
Gallery 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.

Related: View, Grid View
Kanban View

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.

Related: View, Single Select Field
Single Select Field

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.

Related: Field Type, Kanban View
Attachment Field

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.

Related: Field Type, Gallery View
API Key / Personal Access Token

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.

Related: Base, Synced Table