# 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.**](https://docs.labii.com/user-guide/add-record/add-a-blank-record) It will create a blank record without any data.
* [**Add a record from a template**](https://docs.labii.com/user-guide/add-record/add-a-record-from-a-template) **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.**](https://docs.labii.com/user-guide/list-view/import) 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