---
ref: tool:airtable/update-records
name: Update records
company: company:airtable
workflows: []
access: [mcp, cli, api]
tags: [capability:manage-tables, category:database, has:api, has:cli, has:mcp]
docs: https://airtable.com/developers/web/api/update-multiple-records
updated: 2026-09-27
---

# Update records

Changes only the fields you pass on existing records, leaving the rest as they were, and returns the updated records.

A `PUT` to the same path clears every field you leave out, so use `PATCH`. On
the API, set `performUpsert` with `fieldsToMergeOn`, such as an email field,
to update the record that matches or create one when none does; the request
fails when several records match. The MCP tool and the CLI update records by
id and take field ids.

## 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 `update_records_for_table`.

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 update-records-for-table`.

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

### API (official)

- Base URL: https://api.airtable.com
- Endpoint: `PATCH /v0/{baseId}/{tableIdOrName}`
- Auth: send the header `Authorization: Bearer $AIRTABLE_TOKEN`
- Get a key: https://airtable.com/create/tokens
- Docs: https://airtable.com/developers/web/api/introduction

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.