Troubleshooting Lookup Issues in Table Columns

Richard S. · 2026-01-05T23:03:51.547Z

I'm trying to lookup single row in a other table with 2 columns (both are text fields). When i do the lookup, the 2nd column in the lookup table is not available in the cell details to add as a column. it only provides: • Created At • Updated At • Lookup value

Troubleshooting Lookup Issues in Table Columns | Clay

11 comments

· Sorted by Oldest

Clay Support
APP
·
·
When you do a lookup, you'll only see the matched row's data in the cell details if the lookup successfully finds data. If you're only seeing "Created At", "Updated At", and "Lookup value", it sounds like the lookup might not be finding the full row data from your target table. [1]
Try clicking into the lookup cell and check if there's actual data returned. If the lookup is working, you should be able to hover over any field in the cell details and click "Add as column" to map that data to a new column. [2]
Make sure your lookup is configured correctly with the right table, target column, and filter criteria. The lookup single row action should return all available data from the matched row. [3]
Clay Support
APP
·
·
Was that helpful?
Richard S.
·
·
the lookup cell shows an array that i expand, which only shows those 3 values i mentioned, not the 2nd column in the lookup table. It does show up in the dropdown for "Target Column" in the lookup function
Clay Support
APP
·
·
This sounds like the lookup is only returning metadata fields instead of the actual column data from your target table. The lookup should return all available data from the matched row, not just Created At, Updated At, and Lookup value. [1]
Try checking your lookup configuration - make sure you're using the correct filter criteria and that the lookup is actually finding and matching the right row. If the target column shows up in the dropdown but not in the results, there might be an issue with how the lookup is matching or the data in that specific row. [2]
Can you double-check that your lookup is successfully finding data and not returning empty results?
Richard S.
·
·
all rows have a record found and they all have Record {3} in cell details
Clay Support
APP
·
·
If you're seeing "Record {3}" in the cell details but can't access the actual column data from your lookup table, this suggests the lookup is finding records but not properly expanding all the available fields. [1]
Try this: Click into one of the lookup cells, and in the cell details panel, look for your second column's data within the record object. You should be able to hover over any field and click "Add as column" to map it out. [2]
If the data still isn't showing up properly, the lookup might need to be reconfigured or there could be an issue with how the data is structured in your target table. Can you check if the second column actually has data in the lookup table you're referencing? [3]
Richard S.
·
·
the second column has data, but only in some of the rows
Clay Support
APP
·
·
That explains it! When you do a lookup and the target column has empty/null values in some rows, those fields won't appear in the cell details for those specific records. [1]
The lookup is working correctly - it's just that empty fields don't get included in the returned data structure. You'll only see the second column data in the cell details for rows where that column actually contains values. [2]
For the rows that do have data in the second column, you should be able to hover over that field in the cell details and click "Add as column" to map it out. [3]
Clay Support
APP
·
·
Did that answer your question?
Richard S.
·
·
yes that worked, thank you
Clay Support
APP
·
·
Glad to hear that worked! If you have any more questions or need further assistance, just let me know.

Clay Support
APP
·
·
When you do a lookup, you'll only see the matched row's data in the cell details if the lookup successfully finds data. If you're only seeing "Created At", "Updated At", and "Lookup value", it sounds like the lookup might not be finding the full row data from your target table. [1]
Try clicking into the lookup cell and check if there's actual data returned. If the lookup is working, you should be able to hover over any field in the cell details and click "Add as column" to map that data to a new column. [2]
Make sure your lookup is configured correctly with the right table, target column, and filter criteria. The lookup single row action should return all available data from the matched row. [3]
Clay Support
APP
·
·
Was that helpful?
Richard S.
·
·
the lookup cell shows an array that i expand, which only shows those 3 values i mentioned, not the 2nd column in the lookup table. It does show up in the dropdown for "Target Column" in the lookup function
Clay Support
APP
·
·
This sounds like the lookup is only returning metadata fields instead of the actual column data from your target table. The lookup should return all available data from the matched row, not just Created At, Updated At, and Lookup value. [1]
Try checking your lookup configuration - make sure you're using the correct filter criteria and that the lookup is actually finding and matching the right row. If the target column shows up in the dropdown but not in the results, there might be an issue with how the lookup is matching or the data in that specific row. [2]
Can you double-check that your lookup is successfully finding data and not returning empty results?
Richard S.
·
·
all rows have a record found and they all have Record {3} in cell details
Clay Support
APP
·
·
If you're seeing "Record {3}" in the cell details but can't access the actual column data from your lookup table, this suggests the lookup is finding records but not properly expanding all the available fields. [1]
Try this: Click into one of the lookup cells, and in the cell details panel, look for your second column's data within the record object. You should be able to hover over any field and click "Add as column" to map it out. [2]
If the data still isn't showing up properly, the lookup might need to be reconfigured or there could be an issue with how the data is structured in your target table. Can you check if the second column actually has data in the lookup table you're referencing? [3]
Richard S.
·
·
the second column has data, but only in some of the rows
Clay Support
APP
·
·
That explains it! When you do a lookup and the target column has empty/null values in some rows, those fields won't appear in the cell details for those specific records. [1]
The lookup is working correctly - it's just that empty fields don't get included in the returned data structure. You'll only see the second column data in the cell details for rows where that column actually contains values. [2]
For the rows that do have data in the second column, you should be able to hover over that field in the cell details and click "Add as column" to map it out. [3]
Clay Support
APP
·
·
Did that answer your question?
Richard S.
·
·
yes that worked, thank you
Clay Support
APP
·
·
Glad to hear that worked! If you have any more questions or need further assistance, just let me know.