---
title: Lookup and Create References within Records
slug: lookup-and-create-references-within-records
docTags: 
createdAt: 2025-08-11T11:13:46.000Z
---

You can select which field(s) to reference from within a record. A reference field on a record, whether single-select, multi-select, or grid, is accompanied by a New and Lookup button adjacent to the reference field.

For more information about reference fields in general, see [Reference](https://docs.swimlane.com/ty6_-reference).

## Creating a New Record to Reference

To create a new record to reference:

1. From within an open record, locate the reference field, and then click **+**, or Add New.
   A record editor for the target application opens.

::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/511c8QBH-VHiwWnyzIwUb/caujS_hMmSUlb5oWstIL-_create-new-ref-rec.png" size="58" width="826" height="139" darkWidth="800" darkHeight="134" position="center" indent="2" showCaption="false"}

2. Fill out the target record data.

## Looking Up References within Records

To lookup and create references within records:

1. Click within the field, or click the Lookup (Search) icon. Enter a keyword or search term and then press Enter to begin the search.

::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/511c8QBH-VHiwWnyzIwUb/L-uKbJQ4WWko3bddxhDaI_lookup-results.png" size="30" width="399" height="583" darkWidth="800" darkHeight="1168" position="center" indent="2" showCaption="false"}

:::Paragraph{indent="1"}
The reference lookup searches for records within the referenced target application.
**Note:** If your application contains many records, this search can take some time.
:::

2. Once the search has completed, review the results and select the record(s) you want to display.

::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/511c8QBH-VHiwWnyzIwUb/nzxQPYXQorTRS5ZdDSjUv_add-ref-records.png" size="66" width="1384" height="576" darkWidth="800" darkHeight="333" position="center" indent="2" showCaption="false"}

2. Review the selected records, then click **Add Records** to add them to your reference.

::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/511c8QBH-VHiwWnyzIwUb/G3ankJUIMqBu_eXi2qmtV_ref-grid-view.png" size="62" width="898" height="310" darkWidth="800" darkHeight="276" position="center" indent="2" showCaption="false"}

:::hint{type="info"}
Reference lookups use the same search/keyword functionality as Swimlane global record searches. For more information, see [Search Record Data](docId\:gPdJwBCXe0wNwQnsszJsa).
:::

## Opening a Referenced Record

On a record form, clicking a **reference** value typically opens the related record in a side drawer. Starting in **Turbine 26.3.0**, you can open that referenced record in a **new browser tab** instead.

1. Open a record that includes a reference field (or reference grid) with a linked record.
2. Hold **Command** (macOS) or **Ctrl** (Windows/Linux) and click the referenced record.
3. The referenced record opens in a **new tab**. A normal click (without Command/Ctrl) continues to open the record in the side drawer.

:::hint{type="info"}
Use Command/Ctrl+click when you need to keep the current record open and work with the related record side by side, or when the drawer is hard to dismiss in your layout.
:::