# Add Record

## Overview

A record refers to an experiment, a protocol, a file, et.al in Labii [Electronic Lab Notebook (ELN)](https://www.labii.com/electronic-lab-notebook-eln) and [Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS)](https://www.labii.com/laboratory-information-management-system-lims). [Labii](https://www.labii.com/) has developed many methods to smooth your user's experiments in creating records.

### Add from form vs. Add directly

Different records need to be added in different ways based on different requirements. In the [ELN (Electronic Lab Notebook)](https://www.labii.com/electronic-lab-notebook-eln), an entry is usually created directly. A record can be created quickly this way. For [LIMS](https://www.labii.com/laboratory-information-management-system-lims) or [Inventory Management](https://www.labii.com/inventory-management), where several attributions need to be collected before creating a record, a form must be filled out before the record can be created.

The administrators can control how a record is added by updating the `should_add_from_form` in the table settings (Settings -> Table -> Select a table). To ensure the user fills out a form before a record is created, set the value to `true`. Set the value to `false` to create a record without completing the form.

### Four ways to add a record

In [Labii](https://www.labii.com/), a new record can be added to a table in three ways:

* [**Add a blank record.**](/user-guide/add-record/add-a-blank-record.md) It will create a blank record without any data.
* [**Add a record from a template**](/user-guide/add-record/add-a-record-from-a-template.md) **or duplicate a record.** To reduce repetitive work, a template can be used to create a similar record. The created record will contain the same data (columns, sections, notes, signers) as the template.
* [**Add a record from one or many local files.**](https://github.com/Labii/labii-gitbook-docs/blob/gitbook/user-guide/add-record/broken-reference/README.md) In some tables, the record you create is a simple container of files, so you can use this method to upload files and create a record at the same time. The uploaded files will be inserted directly into the record's sections/notes.
* [**Import records.**](/user-guide/list-view/import.md) By using the import function, multiple records can be generated simultaneously.

## Execute workflows

Select workflows to execute upon submission of the form. Use this field if you want to create 5 vials when a sample is created.

Use this function when:

1. You want to execute workflows without triggers.
2. You want to execute workflows which already have a trigger but do not trigger when this form is submitted.

You should not select the workflow that already has a trigger when this form is submitted. The workflow will be executed automatically. If selected, it might end up running twice.

**This function applies to:**

* Add a blank record
* Add records in bulk
* Add a record from a template
* Add a template
* Import records


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.labii.com/user-guide/add-record.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.