Why Airtable Keeps Adding Extra Fields When Linking Records

You have two tables.

The first is Properties, where you keep all the details about the properties you manage.

The second is Contacts, where you store information about people such as property managers, electricians, and cleaners.

In the Properties table, you add a linked record field called “Property Manager” that points to the Contacts table.

Then you add another linked record field in Properties called “Electrician” and point it to the same Contacts table. Later, you add “Cleaner” in the same way.

When you look at the Contacts table, you notice something odd. Airtable keeps adding new fields you did not create. One says “Properties (Property Manager)”, another says “Properties (Electrician)”, and so on.

Linked Records Are Always Two Way

This happens because Airtable linked records always work in both directions. When you link Table A to Table B, Airtable automatically creates a matching linked record field in Table B.

If you only had one link between Properties and Contacts, there would be just one matching field in Contacts.

When you create multiple linked fields from the same table, Airtable treats each one as a separate relationship. That is why each gets its own field on the other side.

Why These Extra Fields Matter

It may seem like these extra fields are redundant, but they are essential because each one represents a different type of relationship.

For example:

• “Properties (Property Manager)” shows the properties this contact manages

• “Properties (Electrician)” shows the properties where they are the electrician

• “Properties (Cleaner)” shows the properties they clean

If you delete one of these fields from the Contacts table, you break that specific relationship in both directions.

How to Keep Things Clear

The best way to handle this is with clear naming. In the Contacts table, rename the fields so the role is obvious. For example: “Properties Property Manager,” “Properties Electrician,” and “Properties Cleaner.”

Now, when you open a contact record, you can instantly see what they do for each property.

To summarise, these extra fields are not Airtable clutter. They are the map of your relationships. Once you understand why they appear and give them clear names, they become one of the most useful parts of your base.