Do you use a regular spreadsheet (like Google Sheets or Excel) to store information? We get it. Not only are they the tried-and-true tools of data storage, but they've also been around forever.
But what if you need something…more actionable? For example, you might want an easier way to move your data from your spreadsheets into other apps—without the copying and pasting.
Most spreadsheets aren't designed for automation out of the box, so it's easy to run into roadblocks. That's why Zapier Tables was built for automation, letting you store, move, and take action on your data so you can go far beyond traditional spreadsheets. Take a look.
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Move your data to other apps automatically
Let's face it: spreadsheets aren't made to natively connect to other apps.
They're great for storing your information, but in a mostly static way. If you want to move your data into (or out of) a spreadsheet, you have to copy and paste it, import it manually, or use a third-party automation tool (like Zapier's workflows).
But Tables acts as a built-in hub that lets you manage data flow in every direction. Because it has access to Zapier's ecosystem of 7,000+ apps, you can create automated workflows—all from within your table—that connect to the rest of your tech stack.
You can gather information from multiple sources (like leads from Typeform or tasks from Asana) and send it to your table—automatically. Then you can take action on that data directly inside your table, like sending leads to your sales team in Slack or sending emails to project members via Gmail.
From buttons that trigger Zaps (what we call automated workflows) when you click them to Zaps that trigger when a specific column is updated in your table, you can manage your data in a way that works best for you and your team.
Did you know? Zapier actions used in Tables don't count toward Zapier's task usage limit. They don't affect your overall Zapier task quota, allowing you to automate more processes without worrying about exceeding your plan's limits.
Manage entire processes on one platform
Tables doesn't just connect with Zapier's ecosystem of 7,000+ apps. It also integrates seamlessly with the rest of our core platform.
That means you can connect it to Interfaces, Zapier's no-code forms and landing page builder, and any chatbots you create, to automate entire processes across different departments.
After all, most internal processes can be complex, but by using these tools together, you can collect the data you need—then store and take action on that data in Tables.
Picture this: You've spun up an Interfaces form to collect lead information. You've embedded that form in a landing page along with a handy chatbot that helps answer any questions your prospect has. Now, any interested lead who fills out a submission—or interacts with your chatbot—lands neatly in your table, along with their contact details.
You can do this for pretty much any process that requires human intervention, too. From onboarding employees to approving software requests, you can build an all-in-one platform that works seamlessly. You can forget about cobbling together solutions between multiple apps.
Want to find out more about Zapier Tables? Check out our step-by-step guide.
Get more control over your data with AI
Lots of spreadsheets are used to store customer data. In fact, some teams even use it as their go-to CRM.
You might log information like customer phone numbers, job titles, subscriptions, or messages you've received from them in your spreadsheets. While that's a great way to keep track of that information, actually doing something with it is a whole other bag. If you want to summarize messages or create meeting transcripts, you'll have to do it yourself, manually.
But not with Tables. You can actually create AI fields that do those sorts of tasks for you.
The possibilities are endless. You could create an AI column that writes a sales email for you—based on a lead's details. Or you could have the AI field summarize a business based on the website. It could translate text into another language, analyze the sentiment of a message, or even determine the country based on a phone number.
What AI does is reference each data column in your table, and then populates a record with its AI-generated outcome. (That's a fancy way of saying the AI fills out a record with its response, like an email.)
Get rid of traditional formulas
A couple of weeks into my first ever job, my boss told me I needed to learn how to use Excel—and fast. Mastering those advanced functions would have made my work a lot easier, especially when it came to adding up sales figures and expenses or looking up product prices.
The only problem? I was terrible at math and the sight of those Excel cells erroring daily made me break out in a cold sweat. To this day, I've never actually made it past a simple SUM function. That is, until the onset of AI.
Fortunately, with Tables, if you do need to run calculations or functions, you can use AI to do it for you. By adding another AI field to your table, you can just tell that field in plain English what you want that column to do—from simple calculations to looking up values—without tinkering with cells or adding custom scripts.
Needless to say, traditional spreadsheets require a more hands-on approach, which might not fit the ease or speed of what you're looking to do with your data. In that case, using AI to perform functions can help you pull together a solution without the technical know-how.
Build unbreakable systems with Tables
Even when you pair spreadsheets with automation, they can become fragile and unbreakable when something gets updated.
But with Tables, you can make changes without disrupting your operations, connect your database to thousands of apps, and ultimately have more control over the data that powers your Zaps.
If you want to start making your data more actionable, ditch the spreadsheets and give Tables a go.
