> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://fillout.com/help/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Working with record pickers

> Set pre-fills or default values, reference fields from the chosen record, and more using a linked record picker with Fillout.

export const SupportBanner = () => {
  const titleId = React.useId();
  return <div className="support-banner" role="region" aria-labelledby={titleId}>
      <span className="support-banner__ring support-banner__ring--outer" aria-hidden="true" />
      <span className="support-banner__ring support-banner__ring--middle" aria-hidden="true" />
      <span className="support-banner__ring support-banner__ring--inner" aria-hidden="true" />
      <span className="support-banner__ring support-banner__ring--center" aria-hidden="true" />

      <div className="support-banner__content">
        <div className="support-banner__title" id={titleId} role="heading" aria-level="2">Still have questions?</div>

        <div className="support-banner__copy">
          <span className="support-banner__line">Our team is happy to help. Start a live chat using the</span>
          <span className="support-banner__line">
            chat bubble <span className="support-banner__chat-icon" aria-hidden="true" /> in the bottom right, or email us at
          </span>
          <span className="support-banner__line">
            <a href="mailto:support@fillout.com">support{'@'}fillout.com</a>
          </span>
        </div>

        <a className="support-banner__cta" href="mailto:support@fillout.com">Contact us</a>
      </div>
    </div>;
};

## What is a record picker?

A **record picker** links entries from one database to another, so you can see related information in one place. Think of it like linking two pieces of a puzzle, instead of copying data from one table to another, you just point to it.

For example, you have a Projects database and a Clients database. With a record picker, you can link a project to a client without retyping any client info. Everything stays connected and up-to-date automatically.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/fillout-005a867b/4lt59zW6_jZNENS7/images/Record-picker-definition.gif?s=e10c3fb48caf0645c7f29da7e5116539" alt="Record Picker Definition" width="3840" height="1020" data-path="images/Record-picker-definition.gif" />

Depending on the database you’re using, this feature may be called differently:

* **Airtable / SmartSuite / Zite** Database → Linked record field
* **Notion** → Relation
* **Monday** → Connected board column
* **Salesforce** → Master-detail relationship

## How it works

In Fillout, the **record picker field** enables respondents to:

* [Select existing linked records](https://www.fillout.com/help/select-linked-airtable-records)
* [Create new linked records](https://www.fillout.com/help/create-new-linked-records)
* [Edit existing linked records](https://www.fillout.com/help/linked-record-update)

This field is great for avoiding duplicate entries, keeping your data organized and making it easy to navigate between related records.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/fillout-005a867b/4lt59zW6_jZNENS7/images/Record-picker-main.gif?s=877628ebf9a1ac04e1b9e106f21c67b0" alt="Record Picker Main" title="Record Picker Main" className="mx-auto" style={{ width:"61%" }} width="1072" height="1080" data-path="images/Record-picker-main.gif" />

## How to pre-fill a record picker

You can [pre-fill](/help/prefill-fields) a record picker using the record's Airtable **Record ID.** In this video, we show how to pre-fill a record picker using a [URL parameter](/help/url-parameters).

<iframe width="100%" height="420" src="https://www.loom.com/embed/24945c50cd9a4fc7b3815e7fae10c1ad" title="How to pre-fill a record picker" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowFullScreen />

## Prevent respondents from changing the record picker

You can choose to always [conditionally hide](/help/conditional-hiding) the record picker.

<iframe width="100%" height="420" src="https://www.loom.com/embed/065000ec7101425888c59038225060f3" title="How to stop users from changing the record picker by hiding it" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowFullScreen />

## Reference fields from the chosen Airtable record

Personalize your form by referencing fields in your form.

<iframe width="100%" height="420" src="https://www.loom.com/embed/35d7a05424994030b4a54c25036c4c40" title="How to reference fields from the chosen Airtable record" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowFullScreen />

## Advanced customizations

In the right-hand panel, scroll down to **Advanced**. Here, you can customize how records are displayed and selected. You can set:

* **Fields to show** - select which fields are visible in the dropdown
* **Field to search by** - choose a different field to search by other than the primary field

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/fillout-005a867b/4lt59zW6_jZNENS7/images/Screenshot-2026-04-22-at-3.47.09-PM.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=4lt59zW6_jZNENS7&q=85&s=9e44705bbc0ac5a7b0e6b88903b9d270" alt="Screenshot 2026 04 22 At 3 47 09 PM" title="Screenshot 2026 04 22 At 3 47 09 PM" style={{ width:"36%" }} width="474" height="628" data-path="images/Screenshot-2026-04-22-at-3.47.09-PM.png" />

* [**Filters**](https://www.fillout.com/help/select-linked-airtable-records#enable-dropdown-filtering) - to limit which records can be selected in the dropdown
* **Limit to view (if database supports views)** - restrict records to a specific view from your table and keep that view’s sorting order
  <Note>
    Records follow your table’s order by default. This cannot be configured in Fillout. To change the sorting, **create a view in your database** with your preferred order.
  </Note>

## Related articles

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="Pre-fill fields" color="#FFC738" icon="fill" iconType="regular" href="/help/prefill-fields">
    Pre-populate fields based on previous inputs and more.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Hide fields" color="#FFC738" icon="eye-slash" iconType="regular" href="/help/conditional-hiding">
    Hide or show fields based on answers, URL parameters or data.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<SupportBanner />