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On this page
  • Types of Relationships
  • Why Use Relationships?
  • Using the Table Reference Field Type
  • Auto-Complete

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  1. The Database
  2. Database Basics

Relationships

Database Relationships are used to define related data between one or more tables.

Last updated 4 months ago

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Quick Definition

Database relationships show how different tables of data connect to each other - like how a customer's ID links their personal information to their complete order history. These relationships can be one-to-one (one person, one social security number), one-to-many (one customer, many orders), or many-to-many (many students can take many classes).

Types of Relationships

In Xano, there are three primary ways tables can be related:

1. One-to-One

This is like a person and their unique passport. Each data entry in one table relates to exactly one entry in another table.

2. One-to-Many

Think of a parent and their children. A single entry in one table can relate to multiple entries in another. For example, one teacher can teach many students.

3. Many-to-Many

Similar to students enrolling in various courses, any entry in one table can relate to multiple entries in another.


Why Use Relationships?

  • Data Consistency: Ensures all references are valid.

  • Reduced Redundancy: Minimizes repeated data.

  • Efficient Data Retrieval: Makes it easier to access related data.

Understanding these basic concepts can simplify how you view databases and highlight why tools like Xano are powerful for managing data.


When you add a table reference field to a database table, that field simply stores the IDs of the record(s) being referenced; the data is not actually duplicated. To access the actual data is typically done via an add-on as part of a function stack.

Auto-Complete

Auto-Complete allows you to configure how the referenced records look inside of other tables.

For this example, we have two tables: user and userRole

1

Navigate to the table you are referencing data from to adjust the Auto-Complete settings.

2
3

Click 'Customize' if this is your first time enabling Auto-Complete customization on this table.

4

Click 'Add Column' to add a new field that will appear on tables that reference this one.

Using the Table Reference Field Type

Click the icon and choose Auto-Complete

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