Interface layout: Form

Interface layouts are the design space framework within a given interface page, filled in with elements. Airtable offers prebuilt layouts containing a set of elements targeted toward certain workflows. Think of layouts as a recipe that you can adjust to fit your individual needs. In this article, we will cover the Form layout.

Introduction

Form layout components

1. Text element - This is the title given to the form during the configuration process. 
2. Field elements - During the configuration of the layout, you'll choose fields to include in or hide from the interface form. We cover more specifics about configuring field elements in the next section.

Configuring a form layout

This layout has additional configuration options worth mentioning:

1. Most field types - Text-based, select, and number/currency fields all have similar configuration options. You can rename or delete the field element from the spillover menu ¹, choose a different field to display ², require this individual field to be filled in order to Create the record ³, and also adjust the appearance of the field ⁴ (size default or large).
   
2. Linked record fields - There are some additional configuration options with linked records in interface forms. The first option ¹ is the ability to allow users to select All records, just the Records in interface, or Specific records. The appearance option ²  is slightly different than other field types. You can configure whether linked records appear as a Card or a Pill.
   

Form layout considerations

• Certain elements also allow you to add form functionality, but there is not a standalone form element. To create an interface form, you can either:
  • Create a full-screen form using the new form layout. This should be available any time you create a new page in an Interface.
  • Add forms to existing pages that include a Record List or a Record Picker. Select either of these elements and toggle “Allow users to create new records” in the properties panel. From there, you can configure your form modal.
• As a reminder, in underlying bases there is the option to add a Form view which allows you to create a form share link. Choosing which option to use depends largely upon your individual workflow's needs. 
• In general, a form layout helps key stakeholders quickly create new records. You may consider adding a button element to another page that will link users to the interface page where the interface form is.
• Linked record fields included in an interface form will allow users to select existing linked records, but they won't be able to create new linked records. For that, users would need to create the linked record in another interface form first and then reload the interface page to select the newly created linked record.