Baserow Count Field - Auto-Count Linked Table Rows

The Count field automatically tallies how many rows are linked to the current record through a Link to table field , and it refreshes that number the moment a link is added or removed. This article covers what a Count field is, the prerequisite you need before creating one, how to set it up with a customers-and-orders example, how to sort and filter by the count, and how it differs from a Rollup field .

What is a Count field?

A Count field only works after you have set up a Link to table field . It looks at that link and displays a number representing how many records are linked to that specific row.

This field is read-only, meaning you cannot type a number into it yourself. It is an automatic calculation that updates every time a record is added to or removed from the linked Link to table field .

How to create a Count field

Prerequisite

You must have an existing Link to table field in your table before you can create a Count field.

Steps

1. In your table, click the plus sign + to add a new field .
2. Give the field a name, for example “Total orders” or “Task count”.
3. Select Count from the field type dropdown menu.
4. From the Select a link row field dropdown, choose the Link to table field you want to count. If you have several links, pick the one that matches the records you want to total.
5. Click Create.

The new read-only field is populated immediately with the total count of linked records for every row.

Example: customers and orders

Say you have two tables and you want to see the total number of orders each customer has placed, right inside your Customers table.

1. The Customers table holds Customer name and Email.
2. The Orders table holds Order ID and a Link to table field called [Link] Customer.

Solution: in the Customers table you would:

1. Create a Count field named “Total orders”.
2. Configure it to watch the [Link] Customer field, which shows up in Customers as a link to Orders.

The “Total orders” field now automatically displays a number - say, “3” - for each customer, showing exactly how many orders they are linked to.

Sorting and filtering

A Count field is handy for sorting or filtering a table. For example, you could:

• Sort your Customers table by the “Total orders” field in descending order to surface your most active customers first;
• Filter your Tasks table so it only shows rows where “Subtask count” is greater than 0.

Frequently asked questions

What’s the difference between a Count field and a Rollup field? They look similar but differ in scope. A Count field only counts the number of linked records. A Rollup field can run other calculations - sum, average, minimum, maximum, or a count based on a specific field inside the linked records, such as “Sum of order amount” or “Average rating”. If all you need is “how many”, the Count field is the simplest and fastest option.

Why can’t I edit the number in a Count field? Because it is a read-only, automatic calculation rather than a manual-entry field. The number is a result of how many records are linked, not a value you set yourself. To change it, add or remove links in the associated Link to table field instead.

Does the Count field update automatically? Yes. As soon as you add or remove a link in the Link to table field, the Count field updates in real time to reflect the new total.

What’s next

Once you’re comfortable counting linked rows, check the Baserow field types overview to see how a Count field compares with its neighbors, read about the Rollup field when you need sums or averages instead of a plain count, or explore the lookup field to pull the linked values themselves rather than just a total.