How to bulk modify checkbox values across multiple Airtable entries via API

[Sky24]

I need help with batch updating records in Airtable using their REST API

I’m trying to modify a boolean field across several database entries at once. My current approach fetches records from a view, processes the information, then sets a checkbox column to true for all those entries.

The main issues I’m facing:

• Getting rate limited (429 errors) even with delays
• Receiving 422 validation errors about invalid checkbox values
• Not sure if my request format is correct

function modifyEntry(entryId) {
  $.ajax({
    url: 'https://api.airtable.com/v0/myBase/MyTable/' + entryId,
    headers: {
      'Authorization': 'Bearer mytoken'
    },
    method: 'PATCH',
    data: {
      'fields': {
        'Complete Status': true
      }
    },
    success: function() {
      console.log('update successful');
    },
    error: function() {
      console.log('update failed');
    }
  });
}

$('#bulk_update_btn').click(function() {
  var delay = 0;
  $('.entry-item').each(function() {
    var entryId = $(this).data('entryId');
    
    setTimeout(modifyEntry(entryId, delay), delay);
    delay += 250;
  });
});

I’m displaying the records in a table first, storing their IDs as data attributes. The setTimeout approach isn’t preventing the rate limiting.

Is there a better way to handle bulk updates? Should I switch to a different approach or use their official JavaScript library instead?

[livbrown]

Your setTimeout is calling modifyEntry(entryId, delay) immediately instead of passing a function. That’s why all requests fire at once and you’re hitting rate limits. Fix it with an arrow function: setTimeout(() => modifyEntry(entryId), delay). But honestly, you’d be better off using Airtable’s batch update endpoint - it handles 10 records per request, which cuts your API calls way down. Those 422 errors are probably from missing headers too. Add contentType: 'application/json' and wrap your data in JSON.stringify(). If you keep running into problems, just use the official Airtable.js library. It handles rate limiting and all this header stuff automatically.

[emparker]

I’ve been down this exact rabbit hole with bulk Airtable updates. The problem isn’t just your setTimeout syntax - you’re making way too many API calls.

Switch to Airtable’s batch endpoint right away. Here’s what worked for me:

function batchUpdate(recordIds) {
  const chunks = [];
  for (let i = 0; i < recordIds.length; i += 10) {
    chunks.push(recordIds.slice(i, i + 10));
  }
  
  chunks.forEach((chunk, index) => {
    setTimeout(() => {
      const records = chunk.map(id => ({
        id: id,
        fields: { 'Complete Status': true }
      }));
      
      $.ajax({
        url: 'https://api.airtable.com/v0/myBase/MyTable',
        method: 'PATCH',
        headers: {
          'Authorization': 'Bearer mytoken',
          'Content-Type': 'application/json'
        },
        data: JSON.stringify({ records: records })
      });
    }, index * 300);
  });
}

This processes 10 records per request instead of individual calls. I learned the hard way that 250ms delays don’t work when you have 50+ records.

For the 422 errors - you’re sending form data but Airtable expects JSON. Always stringify your payload and set the content type header.

I ended up using their official JS library for production. The rate limiting logic alone saved me hours of debugging.

[JackWolf69]

Had the same headache with Airtable’s API last year. Your main issue is you’re not handling async requests properly. Skip the individual PATCH calls and use their batch update endpoint instead - it takes up to 10 records at once. Cuts your API calls way down and dodges rate limits. Those 422 errors? You’re sending form data when you need JSON. Add contentType: 'application/json' to your AJAX config and stringify the payload. For rate limiting, Airtable caps you at 5 requests per second. Even with your 250ms delay, you’ll hit that limit with lots of records. Exponential backoff works way better than fixed delays. When you get a 429, check the Retry-After header and wait that long before trying again. I ditched jQuery AJAX for fetch() with proper promise chaining. Much cleaner for error handling and async stuff.