Connections provide access to data in a cloud app, service, folder containing CSV files, or Quickbase app. They enable you to bring data into a connected table in your Quickbase app and keep the data in sync.
App admins can change a connected table to use one of their own connections.
Why switch to a different connection?
You might want a connected table to use a different connection if the connection owner changes roles, leaves the company, or is not available to change the connection filter or add or remove connected fields from the table. You may also want to switch connections if another connection, with different access privileges, provides the data you need in the connected table.
Don't immediately switch connections if your current connection isn't working. In most cases, you can easily fix your connection. Start by testing and re-authorizing the connection.
Remember that you can switch the table from the current connection (yours or someone else's) to one of your connections. You can't switch a table to use someone else's connection. Only the connection owner can do that. For example, if you switch a table from using Pat's connection to your connection, then you can't switch the table back to using Pat's connection. Only Pat can switch to their connection, since they own it.
Before you get started
Connections provide access to data in a service. Make sure the connection you're planning to switch to has access to the data that is currently connected in Quickbase.
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In Quickbase, check which fields are connected to the service. To do this, open the connected table, click Settings and select the connection. In the Connected fields area on the Connection settings Details tab, select View fields.
The Fields page displays. If the Info column is not visible on the Fields page, select Advanced Options and display the Info column.
This column contains the name of the field in the service that the Quickbase field is connected to. Note which fields in the service are connected, so you can make sure that connection you're planing to switch to also has access to them.
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Log in to the service using the credentials associated with the connection you want to switch to.
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In the service, make sure you have access to the fields that are currently connected in Quickbase. If you don't, there are a few ways you can resolve this. See Troubleshooting table refresh errors.
- If you are switching to an existing connection, test the connection. To do this, select My preferences in the global bar. In the My Connections area, select the connection you want to test, and Test Connection.
Switch to a different connection
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Open the connected table and click Settings.
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Select the connection.
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Select Use different connection.
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The connection currently in use is highlighted. Select the connection you want to use and then click Use this connection.
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Click Yes if you want to switch to the selected connection. To refresh data in the table using the new connection, click Yes.
Tip: You can also create and switch to a new connection. After you select Use different connection, choose Create a new connection. Create the new connection, and select Yes when prompted to switch connections.
Use a different Quickbase app as the source
When a connected table’s source is another Quickbase table, you can also choose a different app and table as the source when switching the connection. The new table must contain the same field IDs used by the connected table. For example, if you create a copy of the original source app or table, you may want to switch the connected table to use the copy as the source instead.
Check field IDs
To check the new table contains the same field IDs as the original:
- In the connected table, select Fields from the sidebar to view the list of connected fields
- Review the Info column to find the names of the source fields in use
- Match those names in the original source table to the new table to identify the field IDs your connected table expects
Note: The field labels in the original and new source tables don’t need to match since connected tables rely on field ids.
Switch connection to a different table
To switch the connection to a different Quickbase table:
- In the connected table, select Manage connection from the sidebar
- In the Connection section, select Use different connection or table
The dialogue shows you your existing Quickbase connections. If you're the owner of the active connection, it's highlighted in the list. - Select the connection you want to use
If your connection is to the original source app, the dialogue highlights the table that's currently used as the source. - Select the table you want to use as the source
- Save your changes by selecting Done
After you've switched the connection, you can view what was changed in the connected table's history.
Identify missing sources
If the new source table is missing any field IDs, the connected table cannot refresh successfully, and a refresh error shows the missing ID(s). To get the table to refresh successfully, you must delete any connected fields that are missing a source.
To identify which fields are missing a source:
- In the connected table, select Fields from the sidebar to view the list of connected fields
- Review the Info column to find the names of the source fields in use
- If other connected fields contain information, but one or more say "getting connected field", that is most likely the connected field that's missing a source
Note: You may want to copy the field before deleting it, to retain any existing data.