Spreadsheets are useful, but we all know they’re awful to look at. When used on a daily basis, they also slow our progress by being difficult to interact with and navigate. Thankfully, there’s an app for that!
Glide is a no-code spreadsheet-to-app converter that lets you easily turn bland databases into rich and interactive apps for the web and mobile. Glide lets you build launch-ready apps within moments using Google Sheets, no coding required.
In this complete guide for beginners, we’ll cover the basics of how you can build powerful mobile and web apps from scratch using Glide. All you need is an internet-connected device, a properly formatted spreadsheet, and lots of curiosity!
Step 1: Planning and Ideation
Before you get building, there are a few things you’ll need for your business app. The first — an idea for your new app. Every good idea starts with a problem. For your app to be useful, there needs to be a problem that it’s trying to solve for a core audience.
For example, does your sales team need a better process for tracking the customer journey? Or perhaps you need an app to help you manage your remote team effectively? Every good app starts with an idea.
Step 2: Readying the Data
The second thing you’ll need is data to help you put that idea into action. Chances are, you already have a lot of previous data — such as customer interactions and project roadmaps — lying around in your spreadsheets.
Before you move on to the next step, though, you’ll want to make sure that the spreadsheet you’re about to base your app on is properly formatted. You can check out our spreadsheet optimization guide for more information on how to prepare your sheets for app-making.
Step 3: Creating an Account
The next step is to sign up for a Glide account. All you need to do is visit the Glide website and click on the Get Started button. You can create a new account by using your email or Google. Just follow the on-screen instructions to enter your necessary details and you’re good to go!
Up next, you’ll be greeted with the Glide Dashboard. Just click on New Project to get started! You can follow the on-screen prompts and link your Google Sheet to your Glide account to create your new app. Alternatively, you can also pick an existing template as a starting point.
Step 4: Creating the App
Once you’ve linked your Google Sheet, Glide will automatically turn it into a visually appealing user interface for your new app. You can customize this interface by dragging and dropping elements in the Layout tab. You can also edit the spreadsheet itself to alter your app data.
Every new app defaults to the Tiles view with an Item Detail page that users can access by tapping on the individual tiles. There’s an entire toolbox’s worth of elements that you can add to your app pages. You can even let app users input their own data using forms!
Step 5: Customizing the App
Glide’s Appearance tab gives you lots of different ways to customize your app. You can choose colors, add fonts, and insert your own logo. You can also adjust your app’s privacy settings and display your own user agreements.
But it doesn’t stop there! Glide lets you optimize your app’s appearance and design for different screen sizes (mobile, tablet) and platforms (web browser, Android, iOS) so that it looks good on every device. You can also use third-party integrations such as Google Analytics and Zapier.
Step 6: Publish the App
Glide is fully-optimized for business use. It comes with a range of options to publish your app and share it with your co-workers and customers. You can share your app by sending direct email invitations or by letting your users scan a QR Code.
You can also edit your permissions to change who has access to your app so that nobody can just walk in and start making changes to your data source. You can add users by email or even set a password to restrict access to your app.
Glide: The Coolest No-Code App Builder on the Planet
Glide is a no-code app builder that lets you quickly turn boring spreadsheets into powerful apps with attractive user interfaces. Glide apps help you optimize your workflow by making data easier to understand and navigate.
But, Glide is more than just an app builder. It’s also a bustling community of developers and users who are there to help you out should you feel stuck. We even have an extensive collection of community-made templates that you can import directly into a new project for free!
So, what are you waiting for? Sign up for a free account and bring your ideas to life using powerful mobile and web applications!
