How We Build Mini Portals for Clients Using Fillout + Airtable

Create a Mini Portal for Airtable: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you're looking to share limited access to your Airtable data without adding new users or building an extensive portal, a mini portal might be your ideal solution. This approach allows you to grant specific access with ease and efficiency. Let's explore how this works using login authentication through email or Google with Fillout.

Why Airtable Users Need a Mini Portal

Many Airtable users face the challenge of sharing access with external users who only need to make light edits or interact with data without being full Airtable collaborators. Building a comprehensive portal can be overkill, which is where a mini portal steps in—offering a simple yet effective way to share controlled access.

Building the Mini Portal: Step-by-Step

This guide demonstrates how to set up a mini portal using Fillout, starting with the creation of a user table in Airtable.

1. Create a Users Table: Store user emails and any essential record IDs for tracking.
2. Link to Tasks: Assign tasks to users to give them something to interact with in the portal.
3. Set Up Fillout: Use Fillout to create a form with login capabilities.
4. Authenticate Users: Employ email or Google login to secure access.
5. Integration with Airtable: Connect Fillout and Airtable to sync user actions with task updates.
6. Configure Webhooks: Set up webhooks to update task statuses automatically upon form submission.

This setup allows seamless management of the tasks users can view and update within your Airtable system.

Practical Tips for Success

• Use your own email to test the mini portal setup before inviting others.
• Ensure correct linking of tasks and user records to display the right data for each user.
• Filter task views so users only see what’s relevant to them.
• Consider automating task updates through Airtable automations and Fillout workflows to enhance efficiency.

Conclusion

Building a mini portal for Airtable can significantly streamline how you share access with others, ensuring that users have exactly the level of interaction they need. By following these steps, you can create a dynamic and efficient mini portal with minimal effort—allowing you to focus on what truly matters: expanding your workflows and optimizing your processes. Keep exploring what’s possible with Airtable and Fillout, and enjoy the simplicity and power of no-code tools in your toolkit.