Three ways to start

A new workspace holds no tables of yours. Its first screen reads This database is empty and Start from an app, or create a table by hand. It lists apps you can start from, and under them, after or, offers Table and Import CSV. Pick whichever is closest to what you have. You can mix them later: install an app and import your own rows into its tables, or add your own tables beside it.

The apps are offered only in the workspace's built-in database, and only to people who may add tables there. Anyone else sees This database is empty with nothing to choose.

1. Install an app

Choose this when your job is close to one an app covers: a CRM, a commission plan, a product catalogue with an order form, a fruit trial. An app makes its tables, views, pages, forms and roles in one step, with sample rows so you can see it working. Everything it makes is yours to change.

1. Choose an app on the first screen, or See all 4 apps. Later, the apps are in the workspace menu, at the left of the top bar, under Apps.
2. On the app's page, read This will create and look at the preview.
3. Choose Install.

Choosing an app never installs it straight away: its page always comes first. See Apps.

2. Import a spreadsheet

Choose this when you already keep the list in Excel, Google Sheets or another program.

1. Save or export the sheet as a CSV file, with the column headings in the first row.
2. Choose Import CSV on the first screen, or in Data choose New › Import CSV, and pick the file.
3. Check the preview. Choose the table's name at the top to change it, and choose a column to change its field name or type.
4. Choose Import.

A new table is made from a CSV file only. An Excel file (.xlsx) can be imported into a table that already exists: see Tables.

3. Build a table yourself

Choose this when you are starting from nothing, or want to lay a table out your own way.

1. Choose Table on the first screen, or in Data choose New › Table.
2. Give it a Name. Under Start with, choose A Name column and a Notes column or A Name column only.
3. Choose Create, then add the fields you need and your first records.

See Tables and Fields.

What comes next

• Show a table another way, or total it: Views. Data's New menu makes both, as Dynamic table and Summary.
• Work figures out from other fields: Calculations.
• Build a dashboard or a form and publish it: Pages and Forms.
• Bring your team in: Invite your team.