Can I use custom IDs as primary keys in Airtable?

Other Questions Airtable
1

Hey everyone!

I’m working on an Airtable base and I’m stuck. My table has company names and their own unique IDs. Here’s what it looks like:

Organization | Custom_ID
-------------|----------
CompanyX     | AB1
CompanyY     | CD2
CompanyZ     | EF3

The problem is Airtable keeps adding its own Record ID field. But I want to use my Custom_ID as the main identifier. I’ve tried a few things but I can’t seem to get it right without messing up my existing data.

Is there a way to make Airtable use my Custom_ID field as the primary key instead of creating a new Record ID? Any tips or tricks would be super helpful. Thanks!

2

yo man, i feel ur pain. airtable’s stubborn bout those IDs, huh? wat i do is just roll with their system n use my custom field for everything else. like, make it the main thing in views, sorts, n filters. it aint perfect but gets the job done. keep pushin!

3

While Airtable doesn’t allow custom primary keys, there’s a workaround I’ve used successfully. Keep your Custom_ID field, but set it as a ‘Single Line Text’ type and enable the ‘Unique’ option in field settings. This ensures each entry remains distinct. You can then use this Custom_ID as your reference point across your base, in formulas, and for external integrations. It’s not a perfect solution, but it maintains data integrity and allows for easy identification of records without relying solely on Airtable’s auto-generated IDs. Just remember to always input the Custom_ID when creating new records to maintain consistency.

4

I’ve encountered this issue before. Airtable does not permit replacing its system-generated Record ID with a custom field because the Record ID is essential for internal operations and syncing. In my experience, the best solution is to continue using your Custom_ID field as a unique identifier by ensuring it is formatted as single line text and enforcing a uniqueness rule. You can incorporate the Custom_ID into your formulas, lookups, and integrations. Although it doesn’t replace the primary key functionality, this method allows you to maintain your desired structure while working within Airtable’s limitations.