Introduction to tables in Baserow

Tables are where your data lives in Baserow. Baserow tables combine spreadsheet familiarity with database power; organize once, visualize many ways.

Views in Baserow image

Overview

A Baserow table stores and organizes your data in rows (records) and columns (fields). While tables function like spreadsheets with sorting, filtering, and aggregation capabilities, they go further by displaying the same data in multiple ways; grid, gallery, form, calendar, or kanban.

Tables live inside databases, which live inside workspaces, giving you a clear hierarchy for organizing projects and data.

What makes Baserow tables powerful

Like spreadsheet tabs, tables organize information into rows and columns, while offering multiple views, powerful filtering, and relationship capabilities that spreadsheets can’t match.

Feature Traditional spreadsheets Baserow tables
Data organization Single view per sheet 5+ view types per table
Field types Generic text/numbers 25+ specialized fields
Relationships Manual lookup formulas Built-in table linking
Collaboration File conflicts Real-time editing
Data validation Basic rules Field-specific validation
Customization Limited formatting Row colors, field configs

How tables work in Baserow

Hierarchy structure

To organize with multiple tables, store related but distinct information in separate tables within the same database. For example, a sales database might include:

Workspace (Your company/team)
└── Database (Project or department)
    ├── Table 1 (Customers – Contact information and company details)
    ├── Table 2 (Orders – Purchase records linked to customers)
    └── Table 3 (Products – Inventory and pricing information)
    └── Table 4 (Invoices – Billing documents linked to orders)

Tables contain:

  • Rows (records): Individual entries like a customer, order, or task
  • Fields (columns): Categories of information like name, date, or status
  • Views: Different ways to visualize and interact with the data
  • Filters and sorts: Customize what data appears and in what order

Use Link to table fields to connect related information across tables; like linking orders to customers or tasks to projects.

Multiple views, same data

Tables can be visualized in different ways without duplicating information:

Common use cases

Business operations

  • CRM & Sales: Customer databases, deal pipelines, contact management
  • Project Management: Task trackers, sprint planning, team assignments
  • Inventory: Product catalogs, stock levels, supplier information
  • HR: Employee directories, applicant tracking, onboarding workflows

Teams & collaboration

  • Team Check-ins – Track team feedback, suggestions, and project updates
  • Product Roadmap – Communicate priorities and strategic plans to stakeholders

Specialized workflows

Browse 50+ table templates in the template library or import from spreadsheets.

What you can do with tables

Data management:

Organization and filtering:

Customization:

  • Choose from 25+ field types (text, numbers, dates, files, formulas)
  • Configure field properties and validation rules
  • Adjust table settings like row height and appearance
  • Create personal views for individual workflows

Collaboration:

Frequently asked questions

What’s the difference between a database and a table?

A database is a container that holds multiple related tables. For example, a “Sales Management” database might contain “Customers,” “Orders,” and “Products” tables. This hierarchy keeps related data organized in one place.

How many tables can I create in a database?

There’s no hard limit on the number of tables per database. However, keeping tables well-organized improves performance and usability. Most databases work best with 5-15 tables. If you need more, consider splitting into multiple databases or consolidating similar data.

Yes, this is one of Baserow’s most powerful features. Use Link to table fields to create relationships between tables, like linking orders to customers or tasks to projects. Once linked, you can use lookup fields to display related information and rollup fields to calculate across relationships.

How are tables different from views?

A table stores your actual data (rows and fields). A view is a way to display that data with specific filters, sorts, or visualizations. One table can have multiple views, like a Grid view for editing and a Kanban view for workflow management; all showing the same underlying data.

Can I convert a spreadsheet into a Baserow table?

Yes, import CSV or Excel files directly into Baserow. The import process automatically detects column types and converts them to appropriate field types. After import, you can refine field configurations and add Baserow-specific features like formulas and relationships.

Related content

Advanced features:

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