ElasticTable Documentation

Overview

ElasticTable is a no-code data application builder. You create Apps — each app is a structured database table with custom fields, entries, and views. Apps can be shared with teammates, filtered, charted, exported, and even published as public intake forms.

Think of an App as a smart spreadsheet: columns are Fields, rows are Entries. Unlike a spreadsheet, every column has a strict type, every row can be searched and filtered instantly, and you can build charts or public forms on top of your data without writing a single line of code.

Creating an App

There are three ways to create a new app:

Importing Data

When you upload a file, ElasticTable reads the first row as column headers and infers field types from the data. You can also import into an existing app to append new entries — the columns are matched by header name.

Supported formats

Field Types

Every field in an app has a type that controls how data is stored, displayed, and validated. You can add, rename, reorder, and delete fields in App Settings → Fields.

Text

Numbers & Currency

Dates & Time

Selections

Special

Calculated Fields

Calculated fields let you derive a numeric value from other fields using a formula. The value is computed automatically when an entry is saved.

Formula syntax

Formulas are standard arithmetic expressions. Reference other fields by wrapping the field's value name in curly braces {field_name}.

Referencing List sub-fields

You can sum a sub-field across all items in a List field using the {list_field[:][sub_field]} syntax:

Backfill

When you add a calculated field to an existing app, previously saved entries won't have a computed value yet. Use the Backfill button (the refresh icon next to the field in Settings) to recompute and fill in values for all existing entries.

List Fields

A List field embeds a variable-length sub-table inside each entry. Think of it like a line-items section in an invoice, or tasks within a project. Each list item is a mini-record with its own typed sub-fields.

Sub-fields

After adding a List field, go to App Settings → Fields and expand the list field to add sub-fields. Sub-fields support: Single Line, Numeric, Currency (USD/KHR), Date Only, Single Select, and Multiple Select.

In formulas

Use {list_name[:][sub_field_name]} in a Calculated field formula to sum a numeric sub-field across all list items (see Calculated Fields).

In public forms

List fields are not shown in public intake forms — they are skipped automatically to keep public forms simple.

Entries

Entries are the rows of your app. Each entry holds a value for every field. You can add, edit, delete, and search entries from the main app table view.

Adding entries

Click the + New Entry button (or press N) to open the entry form. Fill in the fields and click Save.

Editing entries

Click any row in the table to open its detail drawer. Changes are saved on Save. The drawer respects your Internal Layout — fields are shown in the order and grouping you configured.

Deleting entries

Open an entry and click the trash icon, or select multiple rows and use the bulk delete option. Deleted entries are soft-deleted (marked inactive) and not shown in the table.

Entry links

Every entry has a shareable direct link. Copy it from the entry detail drawer to send a deep link to a specific record.

Filters & Queries

Queries (also called saved filters) let you apply one or more filter rules to an app and save that combination under a name. Switching between saved queries is instant.

Building a filter

Click the Filter button in the toolbar. Add a rule by choosing a field, an operator, and a value. Multiple rules are combined with AND.

Available operators

Saving a query

After building filter rules, click Save as Query, give it a name, and it will appear in the Queries sidebar for quick access.

Views (Header Sets)

Views (internally called Header Sets) let you save a specific column configuration — which columns are visible and in what order — so you can switch between different "lenses" on the same data without modifying the app.

Creating a view

Click the Columns button in the toolbar. Toggle fields on/off and reorder them by dragging. Click Save as View to name and save the configuration.

Switching views

Saved views appear in the Views panel. Click any view to instantly apply its column configuration. The active view name is shown in the toolbar.

Charts

The Charts view lets you build visual summaries of your data without any coding. Click the Charts tab to open the chart builder.

Chart types

X-axis (grouping)

Choose any field to group entries on the X-axis. Date fields are automatically sorted chronologically. Single Select fields group by choice label.

Y-axis (metric)

Choose a numeric, currency, weight, or calculated field to aggregate. Supported aggregations: Sum, Average, Count, Min, Max.

Saving charts

Configure a chart and click Save to give it a name. Saved charts appear in the Charts panel for instant access.

Layout Editor

The Layout Editor (App Settings → Layout) lets you control how fields are arranged in the entry detail drawer and in public forms. Drag fields into rows and columns to build a two-column form layout.

Internal Layout

Controls the field order and grouping in the entry detail drawer — the side panel your team sees when editing a record. Only top-level fields appear (sub-fields of List fields are not shown in the dropdown).

Public Form Layout

Controls the field order shown in your public intake form. You can choose to expose only a subset of fields publicly by including only those fields in the public layout. List and Calculated fields are always excluded from public forms.

Dropdown Colors

Every option in a Single Select or Multiple Select field can have a custom color. The color is shown as a colored badge in the table and entry drawer.

Assigning colors

Go to App Settings → Fields, expand a dropdown field, and click the color dot next to any option. A popover appears with:

• 12 preset swatches in a grid for quick selection
• A Custom button that opens the browser's native color picker for any hex color
• A Clear option to remove the color and return to the default gray badge

Public Forms

Public Forms let anyone submit a new entry to your app via a shareable link — no account needed. It's perfect for intake forms, surveys, feedback forms, and sign-up sheets.

Creating a public form link

1. Go to App Settings → Sharing.
2. Click Create Public Form Link. A unique token-based URL is generated.
3. Copy the link and share it with anyone — via email, Slack, your website, etc.

What submitters see

The public form is a clean, branded page at https://www.elastictable.com/form/<token>. It shows your app name and the fields defined in the public layout. After submitting, a confirmation screen is shown.

Field types in public forms

Required fields

Mark a field as required in App Settings → Fields. Required fields show a red asterisk (*) in the public form and block submission if left empty.

Revoking access

Delete the form link from the Sharing tab to revoke access. The token becomes invalid immediately.

Collaboration

ElasticTable is built for teams. You can invite other users to access specific apps with granular permissions.

Sharing an app

From App Settings → Sharing, enter a teammate's email and choose a role:

Person Name field

The Person Name field type lists all users who have access to the app. This lets you assign entries to team members.

Automations

Automations trigger actions automatically when something happens in your app. Currently supported triggers and actions:

Email notifications

Send an email notification when a new entry is created or a field value changes. Configure email automations in App Settings → Automations.

Export

Export your app data at any time from the toolbar. Your current filters and column visibility are respected — what you see is what you export.

Plan Limits

ElasticTable is free to start. The Free plan gives you everything you need to try the product. Upgrade to Pro for higher limits when you're ready.