Combining exported data in Airtable

In this guide you will learn how to reconcile data from related forms exported from Coreo by using Airtable.

To make this easier to follow, we have supplied some sample data which forms the basis of this guide, but the same principles should work with your own records.

Export your data from Coreo

For this example, download the sample data but you can always export your own data from Coreo go try (see Exporting records for a guide on how to do this).

Unzip the source file and you should have two CSV files, one for each form:

• export-example-site-3.csv
  • contains our site records, including geospatial data
• export-example-species-records.csv
  • contains our species records as a sub-form of the site form

Import your data into Airtable

Open Airtable and add a new base.

Select ‘+ Add or import’

Choose ‘CSV file’ from the list of options.

Upload the file ‘export-example-site-3.csv’, choosing the defaults for now. Once imported, you should have a view on the Sites data.

Select ‘+ Add or import’ again, and choose ‘CSV file’ from the list of options as before.

This time upload the ‘export-example-species-records.csv’ file. You should be asked during the import where you want to import into. We want this to create a second table, so select ‘Create a new table’ and press ‘Next’.

Accept the defaults and complete the import.

You should now have two tables – one for each form’s records.

Combine the records

Make sure the table containing species is selected. This should be the second table you imported and will be labelled ‘Imported table 2’.

Locate the column titled ‘species subform’. This contains the parent site form reference that enables us to link the tables. Select ‘Edit field’.

Change the field type to ‘Link to another record’ – it should be at the top of the list, or you can use the search to find it.

You will then be asked to select a table to link records from. Select ‘Imported table’.

Accept the defaults, and the warning that you want to change the field type.

You will then be asked which fields from the Imported Table you want to include.

Select:

• lat, lng and geometry

Add the 3 fields.

You should now see the imported fields for lat, lng, and geometry included in the species data table, with a label in the column indicating they are from another table.

The important takeaway is identifying the cell(s) that reference the ID of the parent form, which then allows you to link data in other tables against that ID to use the data in other tables or reports.