How to Import Data into Coda

Learn how to import CSV files and data from Notion, Airtable, Confluence, Trello, and Google Docs into Coda, including row limits and data mapping tips.

Quick answer

To import data into Coda, click the Insert menu in any doc, choose Table, then select Import to bring in a CSV file, or use the dedicated importers for Notion, Confluence, Airtable, Trello, and Google Docs. CSV files are capped at 10,000 rows, so split larger datasets before uploading or use Coda's API instead.

Steps at a glance

  1. Open your doc and click the plus icon to add content
  2. Select Table, then choose Import from the menu
  3. Pick CSV upload or a native source like Notion or Airtable
  4. Map columns to the correct data types
  5. Review the preview and confirm the import
  6. Clean up headers, formats, and duplicate rows
  7. Convert imported data into views or formulas as needed

Summary

Coda lets you bring in existing data through CSV uploads, native importers for tools like Notion, Confluence, Airtable, Trello, and Google Docs, or the REST API for larger and more complex migrations. Choosing the right method up front saves you from re-mapping columns or losing relational structure after the fact.

Step-by-step guide

  1. Step 1

    Decide which import method fits your data

    If your source is a flat spreadsheet under 10,000 rows, the CSV importer is the fastest option. If you're moving content from Notion, Confluence, Airtable, Trello, Quip, Google Docs, or a Markdown export, use Coda's native importer for that platform instead, since it preserves more structure than a flattened CSV.

  2. Step 2

    Open the Insert menu in your doc

    Open the Coda doc where you want the data to live, then click the plus icon or the Insert menu near the top of the page. If you don't have a doc set up yet, see /guides/coda/create-your-first-doc before starting the import.

  3. Step 3

    Choose Table, then select Import

    From the Insert menu, select Table and look for the Import option in the submenu. Coda will show you a list of supported sources, including CSV file upload, Notion, Confluence, Airtable, Trello, and Google Docs.

  4. Step 4

    Upload your CSV or connect the source

    For a CSV import, click Upload and select the file from your computer, keeping in mind the 10,000-row limit per file. For native importers like Notion or Airtable, you'll be prompted to authorize the connection and select which pages or bases to bring over.

  5. Step 5

    Map columns to the correct data types

    Coda scans your file and guesses column types automatically, but you should review each one before confirming. Set dates, numbers, people, and select-list fields manually if the guess is wrong, since incorrect types are the most common cause of messy imports. This step works the same way you'd set column types when you /guides/coda/add-columns-to-a-table manually.

  6. Step 6

    Preview and confirm the import

    Scroll through the preview Coda generates to check that rows, headers, and formatting look right. Once confirmed, the import runs and populates a new table in your doc with the original data intact.

  7. Step 7

    Clean up and build on the imported table

    After import, remove duplicate rows, fix any mismatched column types, and rename headers for clarity. From there you can /guides/coda/create-views, apply formulas, or connect the table to a /guides/coda/create-a-crm-system or project tracker setup.

Why this matters

You're switching from a spreadsheet, project tool, or another workspace and don't want to rebuild everything by hand. Importing correctly means your tables, column types, and relationships carry over cleanly, so you can start building views and automations immediately instead of fixing broken data first.

Frequently asked questions

  • What file formats can I import into Coda?

    Coda supports CSV file uploads directly, plus native importers for Notion, Confluence, Airtable, Trello, Quip, Google Docs, Asana, and Markdown files. For other formats or large-scale migrations, Coda's REST API gives you more control over how data is structured and mapped.

  • Is there a limit on how much data I can import?

    CSV imports are capped at 10,000 rows per file on the free plan. If your dataset is larger, split it into multiple files, import them separately, or use the API to handle bulk imports in batches.

  • Can I import data without a paid Coda plan?

    Yes, CSV uploads and native importers are available on Coda's free plan. Row and doc size limits still apply, but you don't need a paid subscription to bring in spreadsheet or third-party data.

  • Will importing a CSV overwrite my existing table?

    No, importing a CSV creates a new table in your doc rather than overwriting existing data. If you want to add imported rows to an existing table, use /guides/coda/add-rows-to-a-table after the import completes instead of running a fresh import.

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