Working with the Autonumber field

The Autonumber field automatically adds a unique, sequential number to every row, making it easy to create simple, human-readable IDs.

This guide covers what an Autonumber field is and its key properties, how to add an Autonumber field to your table, why gaps appear in the sequence, and how to re-number the field to create a clean sequence.

Learn more: Configure field types

Autonumber field in Baserow

What is an Autonumber field?

An Autonumber field automatically assigns a unique, incrementing number (1, 2, 3…) to each new row. The number is assigned based on the row’s creation date and time and will not change, even if you re-order your rows.

A key feature of this field is that it is non-editable. You cannot manually change the numbers, which ensures data integrity. It’s often used as a simple primary key or an easy way to reference records (e.g., “Ticket #”).

How to add an Autonumber field

  1. In your table, click the plus sign + to add a new field.
  2. Select Autonumber from the field type dropdown menu.
  3. Name the field (e.g., “Row ID”).
  4. Click Create.

The field will automatically populate for all existing rows and any new rows you create.

How to re-number rows

Autonumbering always begins at 1. If you delete rows, this will create gaps in the sequence (e.g., 1, 2, 4, 5). Baserow does not automatically refill these gaps, as the numbers are meant to be stable identifiers.

If you need a clean, sequential list again (1, 2, 3…), you have two options:

  1. Re-create the field: Delete the Autonumber field entirely. When you add a new Autonumber field, it will generate a fresh, clean sequence for all rows based on their current creation time.
  2. Convert the field type: Change the Autonumber field to a Single line text field (or another type). This “breaks” the autonumbering. Then, convert the field back to an Autonumber field to trigger a re-numbering of all rows.

Frequently asked questions

What’s the difference between an Autonumber and a UUID field?

They both create unique IDs, but serve different purposes. Autonumber is a simple, human-readable, incrementing number (1, 2, 3…). It is unique within that table.

UUID field is a 36-character, complex string (e.g., a1b2c3d4-...). It is globally unique, meaning it won’t conflict with records in any other database. Use Autonumber for simple internal references. Use UUID when you need a universally unique ID, especially for use with external systems or APIs.

Can I change the starting number?

No. The Autonumber field always starts at 1.

Why are there gaps in my numbers?

This is by design. Gaps are created when you delete rows. The field does not reuse numbers from deleted rows to ensure that a row’s ID, once assigned, never changes or gets re-assigned to a new record.

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