> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://zite.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Pull data with a lookup field

> Automatically display fields from related records without copying them manually.

## How it works

A lookup field **pulls information from a linked record**. When the source data changes, the lookup field updates automatically to stay in sync. In order to add a lookup field, you must first add a link to table field. Check out this [quick guide](https://www.zite.com/help/database/configure-database/link-records#link-records).

For example, you might have a table for tracking staff bonuses that links to a staff information table. To automatically display each employee’s department, you can use a lookup field instead of entering it manually.

### Common use cases

* **Company Directory:** Display an employee's department or email from a related record
* **Project Management:** Show project budget or priority level on related tasks or milestones
* **Customer Support:** Display customer tier or account status on support tickets
* **Sales CRM:** Pull in company size or industry details on leads and contacts
* **Education:** Show course details like credits or instructor on student enrollment records

## Lookup fields

<Steps>
  <Step title="Link records">
    If you haven't already, add a [Link to table field](https://www.zite.com/help/database/guides/link-records#link-records) first so your lookup field has related records to pull data from.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Link records">
    If you haven't already, add a [Link to table field](https://www.zite.com/help/database/configure-database/link-records#link-records) first so your lookup field has related records to pull data from.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add a new column">
    Click `+ Add field` and choose `Lookup`.

    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/zite/AhaL5_CExRGgOTLP/images/Screenshot-2026-05-07-at-7.26.01-PM.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=AhaL5_CExRGgOTLP&q=85&s=9f8e21bbf2b0c98480cce112ade20d77" alt="Screenshot 2026 05 07 At 7 26 01 PM" width="2241" height="1218" data-path="images/Screenshot-2026-05-07-at-7.26.01-PM.png" />
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set details">
    Name your column, then select `Relations` (your linked record field) followed by the `Field to lookup`. 

    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/zite/AhaL5_CExRGgOTLP/images/Screenshot-2026-05-07-at-7.23.38-PM.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=AhaL5_CExRGgOTLP&q=85&s=02fba901fa9cad1bea53dcaf52bb57e5" alt="Screenshot 2026 05 07 At 7 23 38 PM" title="Screenshot 2026 05 07 At 7 23 38 PM" style={{ width:"43%" }} width="791" height="537" data-path="images/Screenshot-2026-05-07-at-7.23.38-PM.png" />

    Then, click `Create`.
  </Step>
</Steps>