How to Build a Knack App with Data in Google Sheets

Hi there. My name is Dimitri from Knack. In this video, we’re gonna dive into a brand new feature update where we have actually made it so that you can integrate your Google Sheets data with Knack. Google Sheets offers convenience and ease of use for data sharing.

They may not provide the level of security and control required for sensitive or confidential information. Organizations should check data security requirements and consider using a dedicated no-code platform for sharing data with external stakeholders.

Google Sheets Limitations

Google Sheets itself offers some limited access control options compared to Knack. While you can share Google Sheets with specific individuals or groups, the granularity of access control is pretty minimal. This can lead to data exposure.

Google Sheets lacks the robust version control features compared to Knack. This can make it challenging to track changes and ensure data integrity, especially when multiple users are collaborating on the same sheet.

Google Sheets may not provide a comprehensive audit trail of data access and modifications, making it difficult to track who accessed or modified the data and when. This lack of transparency can be a concern for organizations that require strict compliance with regulations such as GDPR or HIPAA.

Knack’s Security Advantage

In comparison to Knack, Knack offers robust security measures including role-based access, data encryption, and audit trails—ensuring that sensitive data is protected from unauthorized access.

Additionally, Knack allows for granular control over user permissions, ensuring that only authorized individuals can access and modify data within the platform.

How to Import Data from Google Sheets

So in order to import data from Google Sheets, all you need to do is follow these steps:

Go inside of a Knack app like this custom CRM, press Next, and then you can either put a file or you can select Google Sheets. From there, click on your account, select a specific sheet like the SIGI Knack, and then map your columns to the data in the tables.

And then you’re done. It’s imported. As you can see right here, all of the data is within these tables and transferred over perfectly.

Building Apps Faster with Google Sheets Data

You can quickly build applications on Google Sheets and instantly import data from Google Sheets directly into Knack applications without the need to export to CSV first.

In minutes, builders can create rich user interfaces effortlessly, connecting your Google Sheets data directly into a new Knack app or within an existing app to streamline your workflow.

Effectively filter and organize your data for clear insights and improved accessibility. You can experience a transformation in data management productivity and efficiency when doing this.

It’s perfect for business owners, project managers, and anyone eager to enhance their data skills and boost productivity.

Easy Mapping and Flexible Import Options

Just as you can with any of your other apps, you can select specific tabs, map columns, and import data with ease—enhancing flexibility and efficiency in data management.

By importing data from Google Sheets, users can maintain data integrity and consistency across their applications, ensuring accurate and up-to-date information.

By harnessing the power of Google Sheets as a data source, users can accelerate Knack development timelines and reduce development costs.

Customization and Reuse of Existing Data

Our platform eliminates the need for manual data migration and conversion, allowing users to focus on building innovative applications that drive business growth.

Some of the flexibility and customization you’ll see is that Knack empowers users of all skill levels to create custom apps tailored to their unique needs.

With the ability to import data from Google Sheets, users can leverage their existing data assets to create dynamic, data-driven applications that enhance productivity and drive growth.

Even inside of my current data, I can add more from here using my Google account rather than going through that same process I showed previously, without needing to actually start from scratch.

No Timing Limitations for Import

We can mix and match datasets from different files—including Google Sheets. With Knack, as I was just getting across, building an app takes just minutes.

You can either connect your Google Sheets at the beginning, during an app already existing, and it’s going to be able to connect easily and be updated into this amazing UI once you set it up.

There’s no need to worry about at what stage you’re putting that Google Sheets data in. With this update, you can seamlessly bring in data from Google Sheets at any point during the creation process—whether it be from scratch or in the middle of it.

This eliminates the need to export to CSV or manually copy and paste data. In just minutes, builders can create user-rich interfaces like this with Knack, connecting Google Sheets data into new or existing apps.

Enhancing Apps with Pages and Permissions

Knack empowers you to customize your apps effortlessly to match your exact preferences, providing flexibility and control over your data.

As you can see here, the great part about this update is that you’re able to extend your Google Sheets into not just databases.

We have pages here—pages that connect to various clients, that then go into subpages and give great views with specific user roles, page roles, and permissions to manage different levels of access within your application.

You get tighter control over which data users can modify and view, ensuring security and compliance. This level of flexibility just can’t be found within Google Sheets in comparison.

Final Thoughts and Call to Action

Knack empowers users of all skill levels to leverage their existing data assets to create dynamic, data-driven applications that enhance productivity and drive business growth.

All of those apps that you’ve seen us have—and all the different use cases you see us talking about now on this channel and future ones—can utilize your data in Google Sheets, and we’re really excited for that to be the case for you.

With that being said, thank you so much for watching this video. It’s a very simple process of just adding a Google Sheet and mapping columns instead of needing to do it with a CSV or other dataset.

Thank you so much for watching this video. We appreciate you, and make sure to hit that subscribe button so you stay up to date with more content like this one from Knack.