What Canvas can see

A canvas is connected to a single base. Canvas reads that base's structure (tables, fields, and how they link) and the data in its records. You don't need to describe your whole base. If you ask for a list of open requests and useful context lives in a linked table, Canvas can pull it in.

Canvas reads your data from Airtable when the canvas loads and doesn't keep its own copy, except in reports.

Read and write access by canvas type

• Apps read and write: People can add, update, and delete records if their base permissions allow it. Someone with read-only access to the base has read-only access in the app, and no Canvas setting changes that. Apps can upload files to attachment fields, up to 5 MB per file.

• Reports never write: A report is built from a copy of the data taken when it was generated, so nothing a reader does reaches your base.

• Slides read: A deck shows live data from the base when it opens.

Approving changes to your base from Canvas

Sometimes a request needs somewhere to put data that doesn't exist yet, such as a status field, a submissions table, or a link between tables. Canvas never makes these changes on its own. Instead, a Confirm base changes card appears in the chat listing exactly what would change, grouped by table.

• Click Approve to make the changes.

• Click Don't modify to decline them.

• Type a reply in the chat to have Canvas revise the proposal, for example to rename a field or use one that already exists.

Canvas can also fill a new table with sample records so you can see an app working before real data exists. This needs the same approval. Reports never change your base.

See where a canvas value comes from

1. Click Inspect in the top bar, next to Edit.

2. Select an element in the preview.

For a value that comes from your base, Canvas shows the table, field, and records behind it. Each element is labeled:

• Connected: The value comes straight from a field.

• Computed: The value is derived from your data, such as a total or percentage, and you can see what went into it.

• Static: The value wasn't registered for inspection when Canvas built the app. It might be example content, or it might be live data that Canvas calculated without registering it.

If a data element shows as static, check that it shows the correct data and updates the way you expect.

For people viewing a canvas

The app, report, or presentation you're viewing is built on your team's Airtable base. It isn't a copy someone updates by hand. Apps and presentations read the base as the page loads, so they're current. Reports show a snapshot from when they were made.

You only see what your base access allows. If something looks missing, ask whoever sent you the link before assuming it's a mistake.

FAQs