Why I ditched Microsoft Access and started using Airtable
- Tara Hodgson
- Feb 19, 2019
- 3 min read
I’ll start by saying that yes I used Microsoft Access 2007 for years. Probably since around 2010 when I got into using spreadsheets and databases to organise things because it made a lot of sense to me as a Tiny Human. Over the years I’ve tried different apps and websites but none of them seemed to stick until now.
Image by Tim Wilson on Flickr found here
Then it all changed when I started using Airtable earlier this year. It wasn’t a hassle to filter and to colour code and to see everything neatly in one table. It also had the benefit of creating other views (which have been life-changing for me).
What is it?
Part spreadsheet, part database, and entirely flexible, teams use Airtable to organize their work, their way. From Airtable’s home page
It’s a spreadsheet crossed with a database that allows for so much customisability while using it. I started off with the intention to just try it out and see how using it as a to-do list would work and have ended up using it for planning out what I have for a hobby but it can be used for much, much more. There are so many templates that have it all set up for you already, and you can go and customise them more yourself it’s so easy.
I think I’ll give it a miss – I’m no good with technology
Whatever you want it can be used for pretty much and to do all of this you don’t need to be good at technology. I get by, I know enough to maintain a blog like this on a site that everything is pretty much done for you at the click of a button and Airtable is the same.
Creating different views and filtering have never been easier. Adding records and customising what you can see on the table has never been easier. It’s all clear and intuitive in design and I wouldn’t recommend anything else before this if you’re looking for something that doubles as a database. Google Sheets is my recommendation for anything spreadsheet-y but if you’re looking to go a litlle more complex, this is where it’s at.
I really like this and want more features…
Well you’re in luck: you can add different “blocks” which can be anything from “send emails to contacts in table” to “visualise records on a timeline” if you’re using it as a Personal CRM or to track progress. Although this is a Pro feature and isn’t available on the free version – if you’re working on something where you need to quickly update multiple records or do anything like this it may be useful!
So Stars, what do you use it for exactly?
I use it for things like my “Impossible List”. If you don’t know what that is then I highly suggest you check out College Info Geek and specifically this page.
Put simply, the impossible list is an ever-evolving list of experiences that build upon each other, help others as well as yourself, and implore you to take action. This is mine, which is, of course, ever-evolving.
I’ll definitely do a more in depth blog post about the idea of the Impossible List later and why it’s a good idea to create one, but, this is a great example for why Airtable works well for creating and managing an ever changing and ever growing list.
Below is a brief look at my Impossible List with the fitness heading selected to view, followed by other examples of my bases. You can see that each ‘type’ is colour coded and organised and within those sections I can add in new records of information. I’ve kept mine simple to start with and haven’t updated the status yet or changed the “Link” option back to text. But, I can say when I completed each task, keep adding to it as I see fit and customise it the way that I like. The last of the images is a base that I’ve yet to modify but look forward to using!
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