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How it works

You can fetch information from a database or service and add it to your form. This is possible even if your form is connected to one table but needs to fetch data from another table. This can be done using pre-fetch, which lets you:
  • Pull in related record data
  • Display external table values
  • Use fetched data in logic or personalization
Even when a form is set to create new records, this can still be done as long as pre-fetch is set up.
Pre-fetching data is available on the Fillout Business plan, and on Team and Enterprise. Zite Free, Pro and Business plans don’t include it for forms. See Fillout pricing. However, you can still make update forms that pre-fetch information on the Free plan, with this approach.
Pre-fetch can take some setup. If you want people to look up, view or update data from your database, a Zite app is often easier: describe what you need, and Zite builds an app that works with your data.

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How to pull external information into your form

Fillout lets you get data from Airtable, Notion, SmartSuite and webhooks to use in your form.
Using Zite Database? See Pre-fetch records for use in your form for the steps.
1

Select your integration

Navigate to the Integrate page from the top menu and choose Airtable, Notion or SmartSuite. To fetch data from any other service, use a webhook instead.
2

Add a pre-fetch record

Then, click + Add new under Pre-fetch pages.Screenshot 2025-12-16 at 6.05.44 PM.pngEnter a name for your record, then select a base and a table. Under Filter by, choose an Airtable field to match with a URL parameter, static text, or login fields (from the login page). In this example, we’ll select email.Screenshot of the Fillout form creation page
You can add up to 20 pre-fetches for each integration on a form.

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Pre-fetch data with a webhook

To fetch data from a service other than Airtable, Notion or SmartSuite, use a webhook. Fillout calls your endpoint every time the form loads.
1

Add a Webhook integration

Click Integrate on top followed by Webhook. If you only want to pre-fetch data, you can leave the Webhook URL empty.
2

Add a pre-fetch

Switch from Simple to Advanced at the top, then scroll down to Pre-fetch and click + Add new.The Pre-fetch section at the bottom of the Webhook integrationIn the popup, name your webhook response. This is just a label to help you find the fetched values in your form. Click Continue.The Setup pre-fetch hook popup asking for a webhook response name
3

Set up the request

Enter the URL of the endpoint to fetch from and choose the HTTP method. If your endpoint needs them, add a Body, URL Parameters, Headers or Cookies.The Setup pre-fetch hook popup with the request options and the Test fetch button
4

Test the fetch

Click Test fetch to pull a sample from your endpoint. This is how the form learns the structure of the response, so you can reference the fetched values. Then click Done.
5

Use the fetched values

Reference the fetched values in your form’s fields, for example as a default value. Fetched values can’t be used to load the options of a dynamic dropdown.

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When pre-fetch runs

Pre-fetch only runs when the form loads, so the form needs to know what to fetch before it opens.
  • Fetching based on a respondent’s answers. Use two forms. The first form collects the input and redirects to the second form, which fetches from your endpoint.
  • Integration logic. Conditional integration logic doesn’t apply to a webhook pre-fetch. Since it runs on form load, conditions in the form can’t restrict it.

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Use pre-fetched records in your form

Check out this article to see how you can display pre-fetched records, use the data to show or hide questions, branch to different pages, and more.
You can fetch records from the same database you’re working in, or a separate one in your account.

URL Parameters

Pass information to a form to support pre-filling.

Answer piping

Insert previous answers into upcoming questions or fields.

Use dynamic data

Display content to hide, validate and pre-fill fields.