How does auto-fill from external data work?

You give Formester a snippet of JavaScript that fetches a record from your external source. When the form loads, the code runs, the data comes back, and the matching fields populate automatically. To get going fast, start from a predefined template for Airtable, Google Sheets, or Notion instead of writing the fetch yourself.

Which sources have ready-made templates?

Formester ships predefined templates for Airtable, Google Sheets, and Notion. Pick one, point it at your record, and map the response to your fields — no fetch code to write. For anything else, write your own JavaScript to fetch from any source you can reach.

Do I need to know how to code?

Not to use the templates. The Airtable, Google Sheets, and Notion starters handle the fetch for you — you just map the response to your fields. If you want to pull from a source we don't template, you write a short JavaScript fetch, so a little technical help is handy there.

Can I choose which fields get auto-filled?

Yes. You map each value in the fetched record to a specific field, so you decide exactly what gets filled. Leave the rest of the form blank for the respondent to complete, and keep some fields manual if you prefer.

What if my external data changes after I set it up?

The fetch runs when the form loads, so it pulls the current record each time. Update the row in Airtable, Google Sheets, or Notion — or whatever your code reads — and the form shows the latest values on the next open.

Can respondents edit the values that get auto-filled?

Yes. Auto-filled values are editable by default, so respondents can confirm or correct what's there before submitting — giving you cleaner, verified data.

BusinessAuto-Fill From External Data

Pull a record in, the form fills itself

Start from a ready-made Airtable, Google Sheets, or Notion template — or write a short JavaScript fetch of your own. Formester runs it when the form loads, pulls the matching record, and drops each value into place. Less typing, fewer errors, faster submissions.

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autofill.js · Custom

AirtableGoogle SheetsNotionCustom

const id = values['employee_id']const rec = await fetch(`/api/staff/${id}`)return await rec.json()// just fetch & return — fields recall it with @

Trigger fieldEmployee ID· fetches when filled

app.formester.com · New employee

Each field's value is set with information recall — no mapping code

Employee ID

E-10472

Fetching record…

Full name

Jordan Reyes@Name

Work email

jordan@acme.com@Email

Department

Engineering@Department

Joining date

12 Mar 2021@JoinDate

Trusted by 56k+ teams worldwide

5/5

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What you can do

Everything you need to fill forms from your data

Start from a template for the source you use, or write your own fetch. Either way, you control how the record maps onto your fields and when it loads.

Templates

Predefined Airtable, Sheets & Notion starters

Skip the boilerplate. Pick the predefined template for Airtable, Google Sheets, or Notion, point it at your record, and the fetch is handled for you.

AirtableSelected

Google Sheets

Notion

Custom fetch

Write your own JavaScript fetch

Need a different source? Drop in a short JavaScript snippet that fetches a record from any endpoint you can reach — your CRM, database, or internal API — and returns it. Formester runs it for you; you place the data with information recall.

const rec = await fetch(url)
return rec

Information recall

Set fields with information recall (@)

No mapping code. Once the fetch returns the record, set any field's value with information recall — the Name field becomes @Name, Email becomes @Email. Mix recalled and freshly-collected fields however you like.

Name@Name

Email@Email

when a trigger field is filled

Runs on your trigger field

Pick a trigger field — say Employee ID. The moment a respondent fills it, the fetch runs and every field bound with @ fills in with their current record.

Record fetched when a trigger field is filled — 3 fields filled

Why teams use it

Stop retyping data you already have

3 sourcestemplated — Airtable, Google Sheets & Notion

Fewerfields to type from scratch

Liverecords, fetched fresh on every open

How it works

From an external record to a form that's already filled

AirtableGoogle SheetsNotion

const rec = await fetch(airtableUrl)
// map record fields below

Pick or write

Start from a template, or bring your own fetch

Choose the predefined template for Airtable, Google Sheets, or Notion — or paste a short JavaScript snippet that fetches from any source you can reach. The template handles the request for you; the custom route gives you the keys.

Information recall

Name

@Namerecalled

@Emailrecalled

Company

@Companyrecalled

Recall

Drop returned values into fields with information recall

No mapping code. The fetch just returns the record; in the form you set each field with information recall — the Name field becomes @Name, Email becomes @Email. Mix auto-filled and manual fields freely.

app.formester.com · Onboarding

jo@acme.com

Company

Acme Inc.

Plan

Pro

Fill

Fill the trigger field — the rest recalls itself

When a respondent fills your trigger field, the fetch runs, the record comes back, and every field bound with @ fills in. They confirm what’s there and answer only what’s new.

Real-life use cases

Where an auto-filled form saves the most time

Anywhere a respondent's details already live in a record, a fetch turns a blank form into a quick confirmation.

Sales & CRM

CRM record lookups

Open a quote or inquiry form with the lead's name, company, and contact details already pulled from your CRM record — so reps qualify and close faster.

ContactJo Patel

CompanyAcme Inc.

Fetched into form

Operations

Inventory & pricing

Pull the current SKU, stock level, or price straight from your Google Sheets or Airtable into an order form, so respondents see live numbers instead of stale ones.

SKUAC-2048

Price$129.00

From Sheets

Member data

Member & onboarding details

Fetch a member's record from Notion or your database to pre-load onboarding, renewal, or intake forms — they confirm what's there and fill only the gaps.

Jo Patel

TierMember

Testimonials

Teams build smarter forms with Formester

"I'm migrating my forms from Paperform, where I've been a user for over 4 years. Loving the software so far! I've already replaced Paperform form embed…"

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Organiser

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Volunteer

"I was searching for a long time for a product I could use to send newsletters and surveys to my database. I tried so many different types of software …"

Deanna Bugalski

Founder/CEO

"I really enjoy Formester. It’s clean and straight-forward and it does well, what it is supposed to do."

Thibaud Martinez

Organiser

"Formester's AI form generator transformed how quickly we build forms. The drag-and-drop builder paired with AI-generated templates means I can spin up…"

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Roger

Marketing Specialist

"Formester is one of the best underrated survey tools out there… It’s extremely customizable… Their support is awesome… I absolutely recommend this to …"

Ye Qi Lai

UX Designer

FAQ

Auto-fill from external data FAQs

Find answers to common questions below, or reach out to our team for more help.

Business plan

Let your forms fill themselves

Start from an Airtable, Google Sheets, or Notion template — or write your own JavaScript fetch — and watch the record load your fields automatically.

Get Started See pricing