Bring in your data

Import files, pasted tables, web addresses, Google Sheets, outside databases and APIs, keep them fresh on a schedule, and tidy them as they come in.

Besides your Ellibo apps, you can bring in data from almost anywhere. Each import becomes a table in a workspace. Rows you bring in count toward your plan's rows.

Where data can come from

Open a workspace and choose Add data.

File - Excel (.xlsx) or CSV, on every plan.
Paste - copy a table from a spreadsheet and paste it, on every plan.
Web address - a CSV or JSON file at a web address, on every plan.
Google Sheets - a sheet shared by link, on every plan.
API - a web service that returns JSON, with your own key or token, on Standard and up.
Outside database - MySQL, PostgreSQL or SQL Server, on Professional and up. See below.

Check the columns

Before anything is saved you see the first rows and a type for each column: text, number, date, date and time, or yes/no. Change a type or a name, or leave a column out. A table can have up to 40 text, 30 number and 10 date columns.

Tidy the data as it comes in

Data prep steps run on every import and refresh, so you set them up once:

Trim spaces, and change case.
Fill blanks with a value, such as 0.
Read dates in your own format, such as "Jan-26" or 31/01/2026.
Find and replace.
Split one column into two, or join two into one.
Remove duplicate rows.

Replace, add or update

Each import or refresh can:

Replace - remove the table's rows and load the new ones.
Add to the end - keep the rows and add the new ones.
Update by key - match rows on one or more key columns, such as an order number. Matching rows are updated and new ones added.

Refresh on a schedule

Web addresses, Google Sheets, APIs and databases can refresh by themselves:

Daily or weekly at the hour you choose, on Standard and up.
Every hour, on Professional and up.

If a refresh fails three times in a row it stops, and the table's owner is told. Fix the source and choose Refresh now.

Outside databases

On Professional and up you can connect a MySQL, PostgreSQL or SQL Server database and choose a table or write a query. A few things to know:

Your database host must allow connections from our server. Many hosts block outside connections by default, so you may need to allow it in your hosting panel.
Use a database user that can only read. Analytics only reads, and runs one query at a time with a time limit.
The password is stored encrypted and is never shown again.

Import history

Each table has an Imports tab with every import and refresh: when, how many rows were added, updated or failed, and why. Failed rows show their first few problems, such as a date that couldn't be read.

Rows and your plan

An import that would take your business over its rows is stopped before anything changes, with a note of how many rows are left. Add rows to your plan, upgrade, or remove rows you no longer need. Data from your Ellibo apps and query tables never count toward rows.