Using Record Preview in HubSpot

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Overview

The Record Preview function allows you to quickly view information from related records without leaving your current page. Accessed via the "eye" icon that appears when hovering over associated record cards, this feature is essential for efficient navigation between Projects, Services, and Companies.

When to Use Record Preview

Use Record Preview when you need to:

Check related record details without fully navigating away from your current work
Navigate between Projects and Companies (using Service as the bridge)
View associated records to understand relationships and context
Access recent activities from related records quickly

How to Access Record Preview

Step 1: Locate the Associated Record

In the right sidebar of any HubSpot record (Project, Service, Company), find the "Associations" section showing related records.

Step 2: Hover Over the Record Card

Move your cursor over the record card you want to preview. An "eye" icon will appear in the top-right corner of the card.

Step 3: Click the Eye Icon

Click the eye icon to open the Record Preview panel, which slides in from the right side of your screen.

What You Can See in Preview

The Record Preview panel displays:

Record properties - Key fields like status, owner, product type, package
Associated records - Other records linked to this one
Recent activities - Latest notes, emails, tasks, and interactions
AI Summary (for Company records) - Generated overview of recent activity
Quick action buttons - Links to open playbooks or navigate to full record

Common Navigation Patterns

Project → Company (Viewing Client Communications)

Purpose: See Account Manager interactions with the client

Steps:

From your Project record, click the eye icon on the Service card (right sidebar)
In the Service preview, scroll to "Associated Companies"
Click the eye icon on the Company card
The Company preview opens in the same panel, showing client communications

Result: You can now view recent client interactions without leaving your Project

Company → Project (Reviewing Specialist Work)

Purpose: See recent optimization notes and specialist activities

Steps:

From the Company record, click the eye icon on the Service card
In the Service preview, scroll to "Associated Projects"
Click the eye icon on the Project card
The Project preview opens, showing recent specialist work

Opening Full Records from Preview

To open the full record from any preview panel, simply click the record name/title at the top of the preview.

Tips for Efficient Use

Keep Multiple Tabs Open

Center-click (mouse wheel click) on record links to open them in new tabs while keeping your preview panel accessible in the original tab.

Use Preview for Quick Context

Before starting an optimization, use Record Preview to quickly check:

Company activities for recent client communications
Service details for package and spend information
Previous project notes for historical context

Combine Preview with Playbooks

On Optimization Projects, you can open your Optimization Notes Playbook directly from the preview panel, allowing you to view Company activities and document your work simultaneously.

Navigate Efficiently

Remember: Projects and Companies are NOT directly associated. Always navigate through the Service record as the bridge.

Common Questions

Q: Can I edit information in the Record Preview?

No, Record Preview is view-only. To edit record details, you must open the full record.

Q: Why don't I see the eye icon?

The eye icon only appears when you hover your mouse over an associated record card. Ensure you're hovering over the card itself, not just near it.

Q: Can I preview multiple records at once?

The preview panel shows one record at a time, but you can navigate between related records within the same panel by clicking eye icons on associated records.

Q: Does closing the preview panel lose my place?

No, closing the preview panel returns you to your original record exactly where you left off.

Key Takeaway

Record Preview is your fastest navigation tool in HubSpot. Master the eye icon and the Service-as-bridge navigation pattern to minimize clicks and maximize your time in advertising platforms where optimization work actually happens. Use preview for quick context checks, use full records for detailed work.