---
ref: tool:airtable/search-records
name: Search records
company: company:airtable
workflows: []
access: [mcp, cli]
tags: [capability:manage-tables, category:database, has:cli, has:mcp]
docs: https://airtable.com/developers/agents/mcp/tools
updated: 2026-09-27
---

# Search records

Finds the records in a table whose searchable fields match a keyword, such as a company name.

Use it for free-text or fuzzy lookups on large tables; to match exact field
values, filter with `list_records_for_table` instead. Pass
`ALL_SEARCHABLE_FIELDS` as the fields to search every indexed field. Date,
rating, checkbox and button fields are not searchable.

## Set up

Use the first option your agent supports.

### MCP (official, remote)

Add this server to your agent's MCP settings, then sign in when asked.

```json
{ "mcpServers": { "airtable": { "url": "https://mcp.airtable.com/mcp" } } }
```

Call the MCP tool `search_records`.

Server URL: https://mcp.airtable.com/mcp

### CLI (official)

Install the command, then confirm it runs.

```sh
npm install -g @airtable/mcp-cli
airtable-mcp --version
```

Run `airtable-mcp search-records`.

Set `$AIRTABLE_TOKEN` in your environment first (get a key: https://airtable.com/create/tokens).

Before doing anything else, make one read-only call to confirm access.

## Rules

- Ask the user before anything that sends messages, costs money, or changes data.
- Never print API keys.