# APITable — Open-Source Airtable Alternative with API-First Design

> A self-hosted spreadsheet-database hybrid that generates RESTful APIs automatically from every table you create.

## Install

Save as a script file and run:

# APITable — Open-Source Airtable Alternative with API-First Design

## Quick Use
```bash
docker compose up -d
# Open http://localhost:80 in your browser
# Or use the auto-generated REST API:
curl http://localhost:8081/api/v1/datasheets/<ID>/records
```

## Introduction
APITable is a self-hosted, API-oriented spreadsheet platform that combines the ease of a visual grid interface with the power of a relational database. Every table automatically exposes a RESTful API, making it a natural fit for internal tools and low-code workflows.

## What APITable Does
- Provides a real-time collaborative spreadsheet interface in the browser
- Auto-generates RESTful APIs for every datasheet without manual configuration
- Supports 20+ column types including attachments, lookups, and formulas
- Offers real-time collaboration with presence indicators and change history
- Embeds as a widget in other applications via iframe or React component

## Architecture Overview
APITable uses a Java Spring Boot backend with a React and Next.js frontend. Data is stored in MySQL with a flexible schema that maps spreadsheet columns to database fields dynamically. Real-time collaboration is handled via WebSocket connections and operational transformation. The API gateway layer auto-generates endpoints for each datasheet, translating REST calls into internal queries.

## Self-Hosting & Configuration
- Deploy with Docker Compose: clone the repo and run `docker compose up -d`
- Requires MySQL 8.0+ and Redis for caching and session management
- Configure environment variables for SMTP, S3 storage, and OAuth providers
- Set `API_MAX_RECORDS` to control pagination limits on API responses
- Supports Kubernetes deployment via the official Helm chart

## Key Features
- Automatic REST API generation for every table with filtering, sorting, and pagination
- Real-time multiplayer editing with conflict resolution
- Row-level and field-level permissions for fine-grained access control
- Mirror views, Kanban boards, gallery views, and Gantt charts built in
- Embed-friendly widget mode for integrating into dashboards and portals

## Comparison with Similar Tools
- **Airtable** — SaaS with vendor lock-in; APITable is self-hosted and open source
- **NocoDB** — similar concept but APITable offers richer view types and a widget SDK
- **Baserow** — Django-based alternative; APITable uses Java/Spring for higher concurrency
- **Grist** — Python-powered with formulas; APITable focuses on API-first workflows

## FAQ
**Q: What database does APITable use under the hood?**
A: MySQL 8.0+ is the primary data store. Redis is used for caching and pub/sub.

**Q: Can I import data from Airtable or CSV?**
A: Yes. APITable supports CSV import and provides migration scripts for Airtable exports.

**Q: Is there a row or record limit?**
A: No hard limit in the open-source edition. Performance depends on your MySQL instance sizing.

**Q: Does it support SSO?**
A: Yes, via OAuth 2.0 providers including Google, GitHub, and custom OIDC.

## Sources
- https://github.com/apitable/apitable
- https://apitable.com/docs

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Source: https://tokrepo.com/en/workflows/asset-dbfee4cd
Author: Script Depot