Read more about Keys & Unique IDs, Unique Identifier, and Row IDs in our docs.
Why Use Unique Identifiers?
Unique Identifiers allow each row to have a totally unique column, making each line of data distinct and distinguishable from each other.
Not all data sources generate unique identifiers automatically. In Google Sheets, for example, rows are usually identified by their position, which can change as rows are added or deleted. This can disrupt Glide app components like Comments or Relations that depend on fixed row locations.
Issues with Row Numbers
Relying on row numbers for identification can cause problems. If rows are deleted or moved, components that reference these row numbers directly will start referencing incorrect data or fail to function as intended.
Implementing Unique Identifiers with Row ID
To prevent these issues and maintain reliable data references, use a Row ID in Glide. This method assigns a permanent, unique identifier to each row regardless of changes in the table.
To create a Row ID column in Glide:
Open the Data Editor in your Glide app.
Go to the table you need to modify.
Add a new column.
Select “Row ID” as the type.
Glide will automatically populate this new column with unique identifiers for each row.