Hi Softr team
As Softr apps grow in size and complexity, it becomes increasingly difficult to understand how data and logic are connected across pages, blocks, and automations. I’d like to propose a “Where Used” (Dependency / Impact Analysis) feature to make app maintenance and scaling safer and easier.
The Problem
Today, when modifying or deleting something like a data field, a data source, a block, or an action or automation. There’s no built‑in way to see where else it’s being used.
This often leads to:
- Manual page‑by‑page checking
- Missed dependencies (especially filters, conditions, or automations)
- Broken forms, logic, or UI after small changes
- Higher maintenance risk as apps scale
This becomes especially painful when:
- Renaming or deleting Airtable / database fields
- Cleaning up unused blocks or pages
- Inheriting or refactoring an existing Softr app
Requested Feature: “Where Used”
Add a Where Used (or Impact Analysis) option that shows all locations where an object is referenced across a Softr app.
Objects that would benefit from this
- Data sources
- Fields / columns
- Pages
- Blocks
- Filters
- Conditional visibility rules
- Actions & automations
- Custom code blocks
Example Use Cases
- “Before renaming a database field, show me every block, form, and filter that uses it.”
- “Can I safely delete this page or block?”
- “Why did this form break—what depends on this field?”
- “Help a builder understand how the app works.”
Why This Would Be Huge for Softr
For builders
- Safer changes
- Faster refactoring
- Fewer accidental breakages
- Easier onboarding to existing apps
For Softr
- Stronger support for large, production‑grade apps
- Fewer support tickets caused by broken dependencies
- Higher confidence for enterprise and operational use cases
- Parity with modern IDEs and advanced low‑code platforms
A Where Used / Impact Analysis feature would allow builders to safely evolve Softr apps by instantly seeing all pages, blocks, and logic that depend on a given object.
Would love to hear if this is on the roadmap or if others face the same challenge
-Doug