Importing Data

Whether you're migrating from another platform or pulling in data from an external service, Xano gives you multiple paths to get your data where it needs to be. Here's a breakdown of every import method available so you can choose the one that fits your situation best.

CSV Import

The quickest and easiest option is a native CSV import. From your table view, select Import Data and choose CSV. Xano will show you a preview of your data before anything is committed, giving you a chance to verify data types and adjust formatting settings. If you're importing into a new table, Xano builds the entire table structure for you automatically. If you're importing into an existing table, you'll map the incoming columns to your existing fields — Xano will try to match them for you, but always double-check before completing the import.

Copy and Paste from a Spreadsheet

If you already have data in a spreadsheet, you can copy it directly and paste it into a Xano table. You'll need to create the table first, then add a new record and paste your data into the first empty cell. Xano will prompt you to add the additional rows needed. Keep in mind this method isn't always perfect — differences between how a source formats data and what Xano expects can cause issues, so use it as a quick solution rather than a go-to method.

Import from an External API

If the service you're pulling from has an API, you can build a simple function stack in Xano to fetch and store that data. The typical workflow involves two steps: an API Request to call the external service, followed by an Add Bulk Records step to insert everything into your table at once.

If the data structure coming back from the API doesn't match your table's schema, you can use filters to reshape it. A common approach is to convert the JSON to plain text, use a Replace filter to swap out incorrect field names, then decode it back to JSON before inserting. It takes a little setup, but this pattern works reliably across most APIs.

Airtable Import

Xano has a dedicated Airtable importer built right in. You'll need to generate a personal access token from your Airtable account with two scopes: data.records:read and schema.bases:read. Once connected, you can select which table and view to import, handle attachments, map any relational references, and optionally auto-generate API endpoints for the new table. The import runs in the background and you'll be notified when it's complete.

Direct Database Connection

For advanced users, Xano supports connecting directly to external databases including PostgreSQL, MySQL, Oracle, and Microsoft SQL. You'll provide a connection string (or use the connection wizard to fill in credentials manually), write your query, and then use an Add Bulk Records step to load the results into your Xano table. This method gives you precise control and is ideal when migrating from a traditional database environment.