What is Airtable?

Are you tired of using traditional spreadsheets? Or overwhelmed by complex database systems? No worries! Airtable is the best solution for you. This tool is changing how we think about data organization and collaboration.

In this blog post, we'll explain what is Airtable. We'll also mention Airtable's basic components, advanced features, benefits, and pricing. 

So, let's get started and utilize Airtable to boost your efficiency. 

What is Airtable?

Airtable is a unique blend of a database and a spreadsheet. It's designed to help organize, track, and manage various kinds of data. Imagine having a spreadsheet where you not only list details but also link different sheets meaningfully, store images, set up calendars, and even automate tasks.

For example, imagine you run a small business website. You can use Airtable to manage your inventory. You can create a base (like a big folder) with tables for each product category. In each table, you can track quantities, suppliers, prices, and even attach photos of the products. Airtable acts as an all-in-one No-Code tool for businesses.

Differences Between Airtable and Traditional Spreadsheets

Airtable and traditional spreadsheets, like Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets, have distinct differences that set them apart, primarily regarding functionality and data management capabilities.

Let's see them at a glance!

Airtable's Basic Components

Airtable's functionality is built around several core components that make it versatile and user-friendly. If you want to use Airtable effectively for various data management needs, you must understand these components. 

Let's learn them in detail! 

Workspace

A workspace acts like a digital room where you can store related projects. You can set up a workspace by signing into Airtable and following simple instructions. Each workspace can hold multiple bases, similar to folders, and is ideal for organizing various projects or aspects of work.

You will see all the workspaces once you land on your Airtable homepage. To create a new workspace, follow the below instructions:

That's it. You are done. 

Bases

A 'Base' in Airtable is like a standalone database or a project hub. Each Base is an independent entity containing its own set of tables, views, and records.

You can have different bases for different projects or purposes. For example, one Base is for managing your content calendar, and another is for operating your marketing campaign. 

You can build Bases from scratch or use pre-existing templates tailored for various tasks. Going with a template will be a good idea to get familiar with this tool. The templates are populated with sample data. You can modify them as you require. "Content calendar," "Marketing Campaign Tracking," "Event planning," and "Project Tracker"- are some examples of the pre-built Base templates.

👉 Related Read: How to Build an Event Website

Tables

Within each Base, 'Tables' are akin to individual spreadsheets or lists. They are where you organize and categorize your data.

Tables within a base represent different aspects or categories of the project. For example, think you have a Base called Marketing. So, you may have separate tables for various social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. Each table functions like a worksheet in a spreadsheet but with more advanced features.

In the screenshot below, we've created an Employee Onboarding database with three tables: Onboarding checklist, Team members, and Onboarding resources. 

Fields

'Fields' are the columns in a table. Each field is designed to hold a specific type of information.

In a 'Tasks' table, you might have fields for 'Task Name,' 'Due Date,' 'Assigned To,' 'Status,' etc. Each field can be set to a specific data type like text, number, date, checkbox, or even attachments.

In the Employee Onboarding table, the column containing emails is the Email Address field. 

Records

Records in Airtable are akin to rows in a spreadsheet. Each record represents an individual item or entry in a table, encompassing all its relevant details. The ability to link records across tables is a hallmark of Airtable's relational database structure.

Each record would be a specific task in the Tasks' table, with its details filled out in the respective fields.

In the table of Onboarding checklist shown below, each record is a different task, and that task’s relevant data, such as task name, When, Notes, Relevant resources, Point of contact, etc., are detailed in fields.

Views

Airtable offers different views to display data. Common views include Grid (like a standard spreadsheet), Calendar (for date-based data), Kanban (for a board-style view of tasks or stages), and Gallery (focusing on images or attachments). 

They allow you to customize how you see and interact with your records. These views provide flexibility in visualizing and interacting with data, catering to various user preferences and project needs.​

If you want to know more about the working process of Airtable, read our blog on How Does Airtable Work. 

Airtable Pricing

Now, you know what is Airtable. It's time to have a clear understanding of its pricing. Airtable offers 4 pricing plans. They are:

1. Free: It is suitable for individuals or very small teams who are getting started with Airtable. 

2. Team: This plan starts at $20 per seat/month (billed annually). It's good for teams who are building apps and want to collaborate on shared workflows. 

3. Business: This plan starts at $45 per seat/month (billed annually). It best suits the teams and departments who want advanced features along with basic administration. 

4. Enterprise Scale: For pricing, you have to contact the Sales department. It will be a good fit for organizations that want to build scalable and flexible apps. 

Airtable Rating and Reviews

G2 Rating: 4.6 out of 5 Stars

Capterra Rating: 4.7 out of 5 Stars

In the screenshot below, there are some user reviews from G2. People find this tool very useful and they also recommed it. Let's see what they say:

Is Airtable free?

Yes, Airtable offers a free tier with limited features. The free plan includes a certain number of records per base and essential features. 

What are the benefits of Airtable?

How is Airtable different from Excel?

Airtable differs from Excel by offering a blend of spreadsheet and database functionalities. On the other hand, Excel does not feature database functionalities. 

What are the Advanced Airtable features?

What are some other free alternatives to Airtable?

Here are some free alternatives to Airtable:

👉 Related Read: How to Use Notion AI

Concluding Words

As we wrap up our exploration of what is Airtable, it's clear that this platform is more than just a tool. It's a solution that brings a new level of efficiency and clarity to data management. 

Whether you're building a job board, orchestrating a marketing campaign, or simply trying to organize a myriad of tasks, Airtable stands out as a versatile and user-friendly option.

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