Reference fields (linking tables)
A Reference field links a record to one or more records in another table. This is how you build relationships: an Order belongs to a Customer, a Task belongs to a Project, an Invoice line points to a Product.
Create a Reference field
- Open the table that should hold the link (usually the “child”, for example Orders).
- Click + Column → Reference.
- Configure it:
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Property name | For example Customer |
| Source Table | The table to link to, for example Customers. The built-in Users table is also available. |
| Column to Show | The field of the linked record that’s displayed, for example Name instead of the Id |
| Sort | The order of records in the picker (Auto by default) |
| Allow Multiple References | Lets one record link to several records |
| Custom Dropdown Layout | Choose which fields of the linked table appear in the dropdown, for example Name and Email |
| Data Filter → + Add rule | Limits which records can be picked, for example only Active customers |
| Common settings | Mandatory, Editable, Unique Records, Tooltip, Drill-down, Advanced rules |
- Click Save.
What happens next
- In the record form, the field shows a Select record… picker with search. Users can also click + New table name in the picker to create a linked record without leaving the form.
- The linked table automatically gets a Related Table field (for example Related Orders on Customers), so the relationship is visible from both sides.
- You can now summarize child records on the parent with a Rollup field.
- The relationship appears in the Entity Relationship Diagram in Command Centre → Plan.
Best practices
- Put the reference on the “many” side: many Orders → one Customer.
- Keep Allow Multiple References off for most transactional links, such as an order that has exactly one customer.
- Choose a readable Column to Show (Name or Order Number) so pickers aren’t a list of IDs.