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    The primary field
    • 17 Oct 2023
    • 1 Minute to read
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    Contents

    The primary field

    • Updated on 17 Oct 2023
    • 1 Minute to read
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    Article Summary

    Airtable fields contain details or metadata for each record in a table. Fields come in a variety of types, storing data in the form of text, single- or multi-selects, images, checkboxes, numbers, user tags, and more. This article details the primary field and how to use it effectively to improve your team and organization's work. 

    Introduction

    Plan availabilityAll plan types
    Platform(s)Web/Browser, Mac app, and Windows app
    Related reading
    Airtable terminology

    Primary field - The primary field is always the first column, or field, in any table. It represents a description of each record in the table and cannot be deleted, moved, or hidden. 


    Accessing and editing primary fields

    To access and edit a primary field:
    1.  Visit your Airtable homepage.
    2.  Open your desired base.
    3.  Click the primary field's field header. 
    4.  Select Edit field and click Save.

    Changing primary fields 

    To change a primary fields
    1. Visit your Airtable homepage. 
    2. Open your desired base. 
    3. Click the primary field's field header. 
    4. Click Change primary field. 
    5. Click the dropdown arrow under "Primary field" and select your desired primary field.
    6. Click Change primary field. 

    Duplicating information in primary fields 

    To create a new field storing your current primary field's information:
    NOTE 
    If you plan on editing the field type but still need what's currently stored there, we recommend creating a new field to host that information.
    1. Visit your Airtable homepage.
    2.  Open your desired base.
    3.  Click the primary field's field header. 
    4.  Select Duplicate field. 
      1. Allowing you to duplicate the name, cells, or both. 

    Supported field types in the primary field 

    Airtable current supports customizing primary fields as the following field types:

    • Single line text
    • Long text
    • Date
    • Phone number
    • Email
    • URL
    • Number
    • Currency
    • Percent
    • Duration
    • Formula
    • Autonumber
    • Barcode

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    FAQs

    Can I use formulas in the primary field?

    If your table requires more than a single primary field, change the primary field to a formula type and update the name of each record using values from the other fields in your table. You can read Using a formula in the primary field to learn more.

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