Dynamic Form Filters in Airtable

Understanding Dynamic Filters in Airtable

Are you interested in effectively filtering information on a form in Airtable? You've arrived at the right place! This guide will familiarize you with the process of dynamically filtering information that people can connect to in a form using a relatable example of States and Cities.

What Are Dynamic Filters in Airtable?

Dynamic filters are applicable when we are connecting two different places (Thing One and Thing Two), and we want to view Thing Two connections that are specifically relevant for Thing One. Don't worry if this seems slightly nebulous; we'll walk you through a real-life example of States & Cities to make this concept crystal clear.

An Example of Dynamic Filters in Airtable: States & Cities

Let's take an example on a first table called 'States', consisting of different U.S states such as California, Florida, and Texas. These states are linked to several cities. For instance, each state connects to five distinct cities which are found in our second table titled 'Cities'. The linking back pattern reflects the dynamic filter feature of Airtable. In simpler terms, when a user picks a city, they only see its associated state.

How to Build Dynamic Filters in Airtable

Now, let's dive into building these dynamic filters in Airtable! Start by constructing tables for Thing One (States) and Thing Two (Cities). Then, create a third table for form submissions where data will be collected through user submissions. This data connection will facilitate dynamic filtering of information.

How to Implement Dynamic Filters in Airtable

Once the tables are constructed, establish a dynamic filter to control the information that appears in 'Cities'. This is easily accomplished by setting conditions for filtering in the field settings for 'Cities'. For the greatest flexibility, use Airtable's advanced feature which matches the state listed in submissions with those in the cities table.

Building a Form in Airtable

Up next is building a form that will ask both Thing One and Thing Two related queries, i.e., about States and Cities. This form is constructed on the newly created submissions table. A selection in the 'State' field will trigger the display of cities associated with that particular state.

Ensuring Accurate Data Collections

To prevent erroneous data collection, visibility rules are employed on the form. These rules ensure that the 'City' field does not appear if a user has not selected a 'State'. The form settings allow the creation of such a conditional visibility rule via the 'Change' option in the Visibility rulings.

Conclusion: Harnessing the Power of Dynamic Filters in Airtable

In a nutshell, dynamic filters in Airtable allow you to capture and filter data dynamically based on user inputs. The implementation of such a feature not only enhances data integrity but also provides a flexible and efficient way of data collection and display.

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