How To Move Data Between Multiple Bases With Airtable Sync (2 Methods)

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Published in Use cases on 12/09/2022, last updated 18/08/2023.

While Airtable is one of the most powerful database tools out there, it comes with an inherent problem. Because building a base is so easy, you’ll probably end up with a workplace full of one-shot bases, all with little bits of data that could probably be more useful elsewhere. So how do you make sure that you have the right information in the right place, at the right time? You build an Airtable Sync.

There are two main methods for doing that. One is using Airtable’s own Airtable Sync feature, and the other is building your own with Unito.

First method: use the Airtable Sync feature

Airtable has a built-in way to sync data between bases which they call, appropriately, Airtable Sync. In just a few clicks, it’s possible to pick a source table, create a destination table, and get your data flowing automatically. It’s pretty reliable too; your Airtable Sync will check for changes every five minutes or so. Here’s how you can build your own.

Start by picking the Airtable base you want to sync data from. Here’s one I built with just enough information to serve as an example.

Once you’ve picked your base, you want to hit Share view and pick Create a shareable grid view link.

You’ll then get a window showing you the view’s shareable link. But if you look closely, you’ll see an option labeled Allow data in this view to be synced to other bases. Check that option.

When you do that, you’ll see a new option pop up: Sync this view to another base.

Click on it to set up your Airtable Sync. Here’s what you’ll see.

You have a few options here. First, you can choose the workspace where you want this data to end up. Maybe it’s the same workspace, maybe a different one.

After choosing your workspace, the next dropdown will give you a list of bases in that workspace. You can then choose an existing base to sync your data to, or create a brand new one.

Once you’ve selected the right base, you have two options. You can either create a synced table within this base or copy the data into a new, editable table. The main difference between these two options? With the first, you won’t be able to edit the data you sync in the destination base, but it will be kept up-to-date as changes happen in the original base.

With the second option, you won’t actually sync data over. You’re essentially just exporting the data to work with it elsewhere. It won’t be kept up to date.

So let’s pick the first option and hit Create table.

And just like that, we have a new base, complete with the data from our source base. The little lightning bolt next to Grid view is how you know the data is synced with another base.

Limitations of this method

You can set up an Airtable Sync pretty quickly, but there are some situations where “quick” doesn’t mean “best.” Here’s why:

• You (might) have to pay for it: If you’re using a free Airtable plan, you’ll only get one Airtable Sync for your entire workspace. Worse, it won’t automatically sync data unless you’re on a paid plan. You’ll have to manually trigger the sync each time you want an update.
• It’s one-way: Airtable Sync only sends information from one base to another, not back. That means you can’t add or delete records in the destination base or edit information in synced fields.
• It only works in Airtable: Airtable is probably not the only tool in your stack that could benefit from a way to sync data back and forth.

Airtable Sync is super simple to use, and that’s a strength all on its own. But some workflows can benefit from a different method. Something more robust.

Second method: build your own Airtable sync with Unito

Unito is a no-code workflow management solution with the deepest two-way integrations for some of the most popular tools on the market, like Airtable, Asana, Trello, and more. With a Unito flow, you can automatically sync Airtable records between bases and keep everything updated without any extra work.

Here’s why Unito is the best method for building your own version of an Airtable sync:

• You get more bang for your buck: Yes, Unito is a paid service. But where Airtable might force you to bump up your plan just to sync data between bases, when you get a Unito plan, you get a lot more.
• It’s two-way by default: Do you need to sync data back and forth between your Airtable bases? With Airtable Sync, that’ll be forever out of your reach. Not so with Unito.
• It works with the rest of your stack: Want to sync Airtable records to Jira? What about Asana tasks? Maybe you want to build a database of specific Slack messages in Google Sheets? With Unito, you can do it all.

Here’s how easy it is to set up your first Airtable two way sync with Unito.

Building a flow that syncs Airtable bases

And that’s it! Once you’ve mapped your fields, you can launch your Unito flow and watch as your Airtable bases sync automatically.