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Transitioning from spreadsheets to Airtable

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IN THIS ARTICLE

Prepare for import Three ways to import Best practices after import Terminology Do more in Airtable

Prepare for import

1. Clean your tabs

Each tab should contain one type of information and should have uniform rows and columns throughout.

2. Create consistent columns

Each column should be holding the same type of information for all of the rows in your sheet.

3. Add a header row

Your sheet should contain headers in the first row with the name of each column captured in the header.

Three ways to import

Create a new base from import

Click the new base icon, to open a new, empty base. From the right-hand sidebar, select "CSV / Other". For more detailed instructions view this article.

Import a table into an existing base

Click the add or import icon, select “Import Data”, then select “CSV file", find your file, and import.

Add new records or update records

Use the CSV Import Extension from the Extensions marketplace (Pro and Enterprise plans only).

Best practices after import

After you import you'll see a table comprised of single-line text fields. To get the most out of Airtable, we highly recommend that you take the time to convert fields from single line text fields to other field types, such as:

  • Changing a field containing numbers into a number field
  • Changing a field containing lists of tags into a multiple select field
  • Changing a field containing defined options into a single select field
  • Changing a field containing long paragraphs of text into a long text field
  • Changing a field containing values that are important enough to warrant their own table into a linked record field (which will create a new table)

Terminology

Spreadsheet = Base

Each spreadsheet is organized into its own spreadsheet file. In Airtable, each spreadsheet will become its own base.

Tabs = Tables

Spreadsheets contain tabs for different data sets. In Airtable, each type of data is organized into its own table.

Rows = Records

Spreadsheets contain rows of information. In Airtable, those are called records.

Columns = Fields

Spreadsheets contain columns of data. In Airtable, those are called fields, and there are dozens of field types to add formatting to your data.