Airtable declarative icon

Airtable declarative

A simple declarative node to create an Airtable Base

Overview

This node allows users to create a new Airtable base programmatically by specifying the base's name and its structure in JSON format. It is useful for automating the setup of Airtable bases with predefined tables and fields, which can save time when managing multiple similar projects or environments.

Practical examples include:

  • Automatically creating project management bases with custom tables and fields.
  • Setting up client-specific databases with tailored structures.
  • Generating test bases for development or QA purposes.

Properties

Name Meaning
Base Name The name of the new Airtable base to be created.
Base Structure The JSON-formatted structure defining the base's tables, their fields, and configurations.

The "Base Structure" property expects a JSON string describing the base layout. For example, it includes an array of tables, each with a name, description, and fields (with field names, types, descriptions, and options).

Output

The node outputs the response from the Airtable API after attempting to create the base. This typically includes metadata about the newly created base such as its ID, tables, and fields. The output is available in the json property of the node's output data.

No binary data output is produced by this node.

Dependencies

  • Requires an API key credential for Airtable Enterprise API access.
  • The node makes HTTP POST requests to the Airtable API endpoint for base creation (https://api.airtable.com/v0/meta/bases).
  • The user must have appropriate permissions in their Airtable workspace to create bases.
  • The workspace ID is retrieved from the provided credentials and included in the request body.

Troubleshooting

  • Invalid JSON in Base Structure: If the JSON string for the base structure is malformed, the node will fail. Ensure the JSON is valid and properly escaped.
  • Insufficient Permissions: Errors may occur if the API key does not have rights to create bases in the specified workspace.
  • API Rate Limits: Creating many bases in a short time may trigger rate limiting by Airtable.
  • Missing Required Fields: The "Base Name" is required; omitting it will cause errors.
  • Credential Issues: Invalid or expired API keys will result in authentication errors.

To resolve these issues:

  • Validate JSON before running the node.
  • Verify API key permissions and workspace access.
  • Handle rate limits by adding delays or retries.
  • Provide all required input properties.

Links and References

Discussion