Well, it does work if you use the linkto variable. In gluon/sqlhtml.py around line 1310 there is a line which only works if linkto is set:
elif linkto and field.type.startswith('reference'): To make it show the referenced id plainly (without linkto) you can simply add another elif line further down: elif field.type.startswith('reference'): pass After you add the line, restart the web2py server (if necessary). My 'hack' might get you back on the road. But it would be better if someone who knows what there're doing takes a look. I notice that Mr Freeze's webgrid doesn't seem to work now either (in respect of referenced ids). -D