How to Use Packs in Coda

Learn how to find, install, and use Packs in Coda to connect external tools like Gmail and Slack directly to your docs.

Quick answer

To use Packs in Coda, open your doc, click Insert, then select Packs from the menu. Browse or search for a Pack like Gmail or Slack, click it, then select Try it or Install. Authenticate your account, then add a Pack action, formula, or sync table to your document.

Steps at a glance

  1. Open the Insert menu in your Coda doc
  2. Click Packs and browse the directory
  3. Select a Pack and click Try it or Install
  4. Connect your account by signing in
  5. Add a formula, action button, or sync table
  6. Configure the Pack settings for your data
  7. Use the connected data in tables and views

Summary

Packs are Coda's built-in connectors that link your doc to outside services like Gmail, Slack, GitHub, and Google Calendar. Instead of copying data between tools, a Pack lets you pull external data into a table, trigger actions from a button, or run formulas that talk to another app directly inside your doc.

Step-by-step guide

  1. Step 1

    Open the Insert menu

    Open your Coda doc and click the 'Insert' button in the top toolbar, or type '/' on a blank line to bring up the insert menu. This is the same menu you use to add tables, pages, or embeds, so it's worth getting familiar with it early.

  2. Step 2

    Navigate to the Packs directory

    From the Insert menu, select 'Packs' to open the full directory of available connectors. You can scroll through categories like productivity, communication, and developer tools, or use the search bar to find a specific service such as Gmail, Slack, or Jira.

  3. Step 3

    Choose and add a Pack

    Click on the Pack you want to use to open its details panel, which shows what formulas, actions, and sync tables it offers. If you're on a free plan, click 'Try it' to add the Pack to your doc; otherwise click 'Install' or 'Add Pack'.

  4. Step 4

    Connect your account

    Most Packs require you to authenticate with the external service before they'll work. Click 'Sign in' or 'Connect account' on the Pack, then follow the prompts in the popup window to log in and grant Coda permission to access your data.

  5. Step 5

    Insert a Pack formula or action

    Once connected, click the add icon where you want to use the Pack, then choose from its available formulas or actions — for example, 'Send email' in the Gmail Pack. You can combine these with basic formulas to pull in data from elsewhere in your doc.

  6. Step 6

    Turn a Pack action into a button

    For actions you'll repeat often, like sending a notification or updating a record, wrap the Pack action in a button so anyone in the doc can trigger it with one click. See how to create action buttons for the exact setup.

  7. Step 7

    Sync external data into a table

    If the Pack offers a sync table, like a list of Slack channels or GitHub issues, add it to your doc and set the refresh interval. This pulls live data into Coda the same way you would when you import data into Coda from a spreadsheet.

Why this matters

You're tired of switching tabs to check Slack messages, send emails, or update a CRM while working in Coda. Connecting a Pack lets you pull that data into your doc or trigger actions without leaving it, saving time and keeping your whole workflow in one place.

Frequently asked questions

  • What exactly does a Pack do in Coda?

    A Pack connects Coda to an external service in up to three ways: sync tables that pull outside data into your doc, formulas you can call from a cell or button, and actions that push data back out, like sending a message or creating a record.

  • Are Packs free to use in Coda?

    Many Packs, including popular ones like Gmail and Google Calendar, are free to connect and use with core features. Some advanced Packs or higher sync frequencies may require a paid plan, which is noted on the Pack's details page before you install it.

  • Can I build my own Pack?

    Yes, Coda offers a Pack-building SDK for connecting to services that don't have an official Pack yet. This is a developer-focused process separate from simply installing and using existing Packs from the directory.

  • How are Packs different from automations?

    A Pack supplies the connection and the building blocks, such as formulas and actions, while automations decide when those actions run, like on a schedule or when a row changes. You can combine the two by using a Pack action inside an automation rule.

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