Inside this article
Import from 3rd-party applications with Packs
Importing text
Importing a Table
Tips for best results
Setting up an ongoing import with Zapier
One of the easiest ways to get started in Coda is with existing data from another app. Copy and paste may be your best bet, but you can also use Packs to import data from popular 3rd-party applications.
Import from 3rd-party applications with Packs
Coda Packs allow you to connect to applications you and your team use every day like Gmail, Google Calendar, Slack, Intercom, and more. Click on 'Explore’ in the toolbar (then ‘Packs’ in the menu) or read this article to get started with Packs.
Importing text
Want to import content from a document or wiki? Coda supports pasting text from a wide range of documents, and will preserve the core formatting of the content.
You can also easily import directly from Google Docs or Notion!
Importing a Table
If you're starting from data in a spreadsheet, simply select the specific table of data you want to import, copy it, and paste into Coda. If the spreadsheet has more than one table, copy each table one at at time.
And, to help you out, Coda understands the structure of your data, and automatically detects column headers and column widths.
What's more, it detects the type of data in each column and picks the right format to make your data shine. For example, dates automatically show a calendar picker, true/false values display as checkboxes, and columns with repeated values offer convenient dropdown menus.
If you're starting from another app, see if it supports exporting to a spreadsheet format, then copy from the spreadsheet export before pasting into Coda. You'll also see a few import helpers in the ‘Explore’ menu under ‘Packs’ if you scroll to the bottom of the list of Packs:
Tips for best results
In most cases, your data pastes as you would expect. In a few cases though, some simple steps before or after pasting can ensure your data comes in smoothly.
1: Prepare Your Data
Paste works best if you select only a single table of data. If a table has cells mixed in that aren't part of the data like explanations, comments, or group labels, it's best to move these out before copying.
2: Column Headers
If Coda can't automatically detect column headers, they may be in one of the first rows of the table. To set up headers, select that row, right click and choose Use as column headers.
3: Column Formats
After pasting, you can manually change the format for any column by clicking the format icon at the left of the column label. And, if you don't want to keep the formats that were set automatically, undo once after paste and the columns will revert to the default text format that you can customize as you see fit.
4: Formulas
If your source data had formulas, the value of the formula will be pasted into Coda. If you want to change a column to be a formula in Coda, click the column dropdown and choose Add column formula. That way your formula will automatically apply to every new addition in that column.
Setting up an ongoing import with Zapier
If you need to import data on a continual basis (e.g. customer feedback, deal status, JIRA issues, etc.), you can use Zapier to build a connection. To get started, check out our instructions. Or if you're looking for ideas, check out our blog post.