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Airtable Error States — Real Example & Microcopy Breakdown | Northbase

Systems
Airtable
Error States

Airtable - Error States

We analyzed 9 examples of how Airtable handles error states across their product, spanning 5 different approaches: inline validation, toast notification, modal dialog, in-context error, full-page error.

Inline Validation

Formula field configuration panel showing an invalid formula error. The user has entered '=INVALID(' in the formula editor, and Airtable displays a validation error below the input with a suggestion link. — Airtable — Grid view > Field configuration > Formula editor
Formula field configuration panel showing an invalid formula error. The user has entered '=INVALID(' in the formula editor, and Airtable displays a validation error below the input with a suggestion link.

Send record modal dialog with an inline validation error on the 'To' email field. The user attempted to send without entering a recipient, triggering a red validation message next to the field label.

Airtable — Grid view > Record > Send record modal

Send record modal dialog with an inline validation error on the 'To' email field. The user attempted to send without entering a recipient, triggering a red validation message next to the field label.

Automation trigger configuration panel showing an incomplete condition validation error. The trigger is set to 'When a record matches conditions' but the condition value field is left empty, producing a red error message below the conditions section. — Airtable — Automations > Trigger configuration > Properties panel
Automation trigger configuration panel showing an incomplete condition validation error. The trigger is set to 'When a record matches conditions' but the condition value field is left empty, producing a red error message below the conditions section.

Attachment upload modal using the Link (URL) source tab. The user entered a URL and attempted to upload, but the upload failed with a red inline error message displayed below the URL input field. — Airtable — Grid view > Attachment field > Upload from URL
Attachment upload modal using the Link (URL) source tab. The user entered a URL and attempted to upload, but the upload failed with a red inline error message displayed below the URL input field.

Modal Dialogs

Modal dialog displayed on the Home screen after a failed CSV import attempt. The dialog communicates that the CSV file contains invalid data and cannot be imported. — Airtable — Home > CSV import
Modal dialog displayed on the Home screen after a failed CSV import attempt. The dialog communicates that the CSV file contains invalid data and cannot be imported.

Modal dialog displayed on the Home screen when a user attempts to request access to a base they don't have permission for. The request itself has failed, producing a double error: the inability to access the base compounded by the inability to even request access. — Airtable — Home > Base access request
Modal dialog displayed on the Home screen when a user attempts to request access to a base they don't have permission for. The request itself has failed, producing a double error: the inability to access the base compounded by the inability to even request access.

Toast Notifications

File import modal with a local file upload area showing a toast-style error message at the bottom. The user attempted to upload a CSV file that exceeds the maximum allowed file size of 5 MB. — Airtable — Home > Import > Local Files upload
File import modal with a local file upload area showing a toast-style error message at the bottom. The user attempted to upload a CSV file that exceeds the maximum allowed file size of 5 MB.

Full-Page Errors

Airtable — Shared view link (public URL)

Full-page error displayed when accessing a private share link that has been revoked or deleted. The page shows only the Airtable logo, a headline, and an explanation paragraph on an otherwise blank white page.

In-Context Errors

Automation trigger test results showing a failure message after running a test step. The trigger condition was configured but no matching records were found in the table, resulting in a red error message with a help link in the Results section. — Airtable — Automations > Trigger configuration > Test step results
Automation trigger test results showing a failure message after running a test step. The trigger condition was configured but no matching records were found in the table, resulting in a red error message with a help link in the Results section.

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