How to build and customize an interface in Airtable

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TL;DR

• Airtable is great for storing and organizing data, but its spreadsheet-style grid isn't the friendliest way to share that data with your team, clients, or partners.
• There are three common ways to build an interface on Airtable data: Softr, Airtable's native Interface Designer, and extensions from the Airtable Marketplace.
• Softr's interface builder turns your Airtable base into a real, secure app with custom design, logins, and role-based access for external users, which goes well beyond what Airtable Interfaces can do.
• You can start by describing your app to the AI Co-Builder, pick a template, or build from scratch, then connect Airtable (or 17+ other data sources, including Softr Databases) and publish in minutes. [.blog-callout]

Airtable is a great way to manage, store, and organize data, but from an interface perspective, a spreadsheet and database hybrid isn't the most welcoming experience, especially for less technical users. If you want to hand a clean dashboard to your team, give clients a portal, or let partners update records without poking around your base, you need a real front-end on top of that data.

This step-by-step guide shows you three ways to build an interface page for your Airtable data:

• How to build an interface on Airtable data with Softr;
• How to build an interface with the Airtable Interface Designer;
• How to build an interface with extensions from the Airtable Marketplace.

If you'd rather skip the build and start from something ready-made, you can grab a free template and connect your own data.

How to build an interface on Airtable data with Softr

The fastest and most flexible way to build an interface for your Airtable data is to connect your base to Softr.

Softr is a full-stack, no-code platform for building business apps. It combines an interface builder, native Softr Databases, and Softr Workflows for automation, plus an AI Co-Builder that can scaffold an entire app from a plain-language description. You can use it to turn Airtable data into client portals, internal tools, and dashboards that look and behave like a real product.

Building a custom interface takes around 10 minutes and is free to start on Softr's free plan. Where Softr really pulls ahead is what you can do after the data is connected. You get fine-grained control over design, you can apply users and permissions so the right people see the right records, and you can share with external users who don't have an Airtable account. That last point is one of the biggest gaps in Airtable's native Interfaces, which we'll cover later.

"I find Softr very intuitive and easy to navigate, which is great for someone who is not a programmer by nature. It integrates very nicely with Airtable and other databases we are already using, making it nice that it just sits on top of the systems we have. I also love the ability to control access globally, which is really important for data security and privacy." - Natalie S., Director of Operations, G2 review

Follow the steps below to create an interface on Softr based on your Airtable data. If you want to move even faster, you can describe your app to the AI Co-Builder and it will scaffold the pages, user groups, and layout for you, or you can start from a template like we do here.

Step 1: Log in to Softr

Airtable users can easily link up with Softr. Log in to your Softr account, or create an account for free.

Step 2: Click on “New application”

First, let's create an app with Softr. You have three ways to start: describe what you need to the AI Co-Builder and it builds a complete app for you (the fastest path), pick a pre-built template, or start from a blank canvas. The AI Co-Builder asks a few clarifying questions, lets you choose your authentication and theme, and then scaffolds the database, user groups, and pages instantly.

For this example, we chose to start from a template that gives us a ready-made Airtable base to work with, along with a matching app on Softr.

Step 3: Select a template

You can use the search bar to lookup layout options or browse the available templates.

For this example, we chose to use the Employee Directory template.

This interface page design helps organizations view and manage their company and employee information in one place.

Step 4: Click on “Use Template”

Let’s get started with our employee directory. Click on the template to get started with your new interface.

Step 5: Choose Airtable as your data source

Softr supports 17+ data sources. You can use native Softr Databases, or connect Airtable, Google Sheets, HubSpot, and many more, including a REST API connector for custom systems. For this guide we're building on Airtable, so click Airtable and then Continue.

Step 6: Choose your authentication method

An authentication option will appear next.

You have the choice between using a personal access token or your API key.

Follow the steps on the screen or the next few sub-steps below to get your Airtable API key.

Step 6.1: Go to your Airtable Account

Login into your Airtable user account.

Click on your icon in the top corner of the right hand side of your screen. Then click on “Account.”

Step 6.2: Go to the Airtable developer hub

From your account page in the “Overview” tab, click on the “Go to developer hub” button.

Step 6.3: Copy your API key

Select and copy your API key, a string of letters that will allow you to connect your Softr and Airtable data.

Step 6.4: Paste your API key on Softr

Head back to Softr, paste the API key to the relevant field, and click on “Continue.”

Step 7: Click on “Copy base to your Airtable account”

Copy the Airtable base that is part of the Softr template onto your Airtable account.

This will redirect you to Airtable.

Step 8: Choose the workspace on which to add the Airtable base

Use the drop-down list menu to choose which visible workspace you’d like to add the Airtable base to.

Then click on “Add base.”

Step 9: Your interface is now synced with your Airtable data

You've done it!

Changes in your Airtable data will be visible in your new interface created with Softr.

Step 10: Customize your Softr interface page

With Softr, you can do much more with your Airtable data, including customizing your new interface visualization to your liking.

Here are examples of easy edit options that you can use to build a custom interface page.

Step 10.1: Add new blocks to your interface page

As it stands, your new interface is based on a template, but you have the freedom to change a lot in edit mode.

Softr lets you adapt the appearance of your interface page by adding dynamic or static blocks, including:

1. Interface forms;
2. Table layouts;
3. Lists;
4. Charts;
5. Kanban boards;
6. and more.

To add a block, click Add block and pick what you want from the panel, or ask the AI Co-Builder to add it for you by describing what you need in plain language.

These native blocks cover the vast majority of business app needs. For the rare cases where you want something fully custom, the Vibe Coding block lets you generate unique, AI-built UI with no design limits, so you're never boxed in by a fixed set of components.

Step 10.2: Set end user permissions for each block

This is where Softr really separates itself from native Airtable Interfaces. With Softr's users and permissions, you can give external users their own secure logins and control exactly what each person sees, all without anyone needing an Airtable account. You can set up user groups based on a role field in your data, restrict pages to specific groups, and even limit which records a user can see down to the row level.

By clicking on an individual block, select the Visibility tab and choose which user groups can access that content. This matters most when you're sharing a sensitive data source with people outside your company.

In our example, an HR manager and an employee shouldn't see the same information. We set up the permissions so each user group gets its own access level, which keeps salary data and other private fields hidden from people who shouldn't see them.

Step 10.3: Publish your interface

Whenever you’re ready to make your interface page live, click on “Publish” in the top-right corner.

Softr will offer the option to set up a custom domain and/or subdomain. Once you’re set, hit “Publish” again.

Your interface is live!

How to build an interface in Airtable with the Airtable Interface Designer

A straightforward way to create an interface page for your Airtable data is to use Airtable’s native feature: the Interface Designer.

Airtable's Interface Designer is directly accessible from Airtable and allows you to create a front-end interface page using the data in your Airtable base, including:

1. Dashboards and progress updates;
2. Charts and graphs built from your base data;
3. Record galleries, lists, and Kanban boards;
4. Other data visualizations across single or multiple tables.

The interface creation process takes around 5 minutes, and the feature is included in Airtable's free plan. Keep in mind that some options (such as permissions settings and other advanced controls) are only available on Airtable's paid plans, which start around $20 per seat per month. This is also where the native Interface Designer hits its limits for external sharing, since every collaborator you invite counts toward your seat costs and there's no easy way to give clients or partners a separate, locked-down view.

Follow the next steps to learn how to create an interface using the Interface Designer.

Step 1: Select your Airtable base

In Airtable, click on the underlying base of your choice.

We will build an interface using the data from that specific base. For this example, we’ve selected a Sales Dashboard we recently built with Softr and Airtable.

Step 2: Click on “Interfaces”

In Airtable's underlying base, select the “Interfaces” tab at the top of the screen.

Step 3: Click on “Start building”

Read the description provided by Airtable, and whenever you’re ready, click on the button to start building your interface page.

Step 4: Name your interface

Give a name to your interface page, assign it an icon, and click on “Next” to go to the next step.

Step 5: Choose your interface layout

You have several choices of default layouts to build your interfaces.

Some of the layout options offered by Airtable include:

• List, a layout to organize and prioritize items;
• Gallery, an image-first visualization of your records;
• Kanban, a column-based visualization for project management;
• Calendar, a time-focused structure including calendar month, week, or day;
• Timeline, a linear time-based project visualization;
• Dashboard, an interface to show numbers, charts, and visualizations;
• Form, to collect and organize input from users;
• Record review, to review details of many records at a glance from one table;
• Record summary, to get detailed overviews of one single record;
• Blank interface, to start with a clean canvas.

For this tutorial, we chose to go with a Kanban layout for our interface visualization.

Once you’ve made your choice, click on “Next.”

Step 6: Connect your layout to a table

Select which table of your base should be displayed in your interface page.

In this example, we want to showcase the deals in our database on a Kanban board in order to have a bird’s-eye view of where our deals stand.

When you’re ready, click on the “Finish” button.

Step 7: Get more from your Airtable interface

The first iteration of your interface home screen is ready, but you can do a lot more.

Here are a couple of examples of actions you can take with your Airtable interface.

Step 7.1: Customize your interface

This is a great way to take your interface page to the next level. It's especially useful when working with end users that are clients or external stakeholders.

Upon clicking on elements of your interface, use the edit option to modify your design.

This includes changing the design or table layout, changing the types of fields displayed, adding filters, and more.

Step: 7.2: Add a page to your interface

Your interface doesn’t have to be a single-page front-end.

By clicking Add page in the right-side panel, you can add more pages and data layers, repeating the process of choosing layouts, elements, and tabs.

Step 7.3: Generate a preview

As you build your Airtable interface, you can visualize what the final result will look like for end users once published.

To do so, click on “Preview.”

Step 8: Click on “Publish”

Once you’re happy with your interface page, click on “Publish” in the top right corner of the screen.

You’ll be invited to share the interface for more collaboration.

How to build an interface in Airtable with extensions from the Airtable Marketplace

Another option to create an interface in Airtable is to find an extension in the Airtable Marketplace that allows you to do it.

Note: These Airtable extensions are free but are sometimes dependent on another tool that requires a subscription, so be mindful when getting started.

Adding an extension to your Airtable from the marketplace is straightforward and should take around 5 minutes to set up.

Step 1: Go to the Airtable Marketplace

Head to the Airtable Marketplace to find a list of extensions.

Step 2: Search for an extension

Sort through the visible categories or enter a keyword in the search field to look up an extension for your base.

For this example, we chose to go with the Miro extension, which helps you visualize your records in the collaborative whiteboard tool.

Step 3: Add the extension

On the extension page, feel free to read the description to see if it matches your use case.

When you’re ready to get started, click on “Add extension.”

Step 4: Select your base and click “Add extension”

Select the underlying base that you want to create an interface page for.

Step 5: Add the extension to your base

Once you’ve gone over the fine print and are ready, click on “Add Extension.”

Step 6: Set up the extension

The process to set up the extension will be different for each.

In the case of our example, it involves logging in to Miro and adding a board to Airtable.

Start by clicking on “Add a Miro Board.” You’ll be redirected to Miro.

Step 6.1: Select which Miro board to embed

Once redirected to Miro, you’re invited to select which of your Miro boards to embed.

Choose a layout or create a new one.

Step 6.2: Set permissions level and embed board

Select the permission level for visitors and end users (whether they can edit, view, or need to request access to the board), and then click Embed board.

Step 6.3: Your Miro board is now embedded

You can access your Miro board directly from the “Extensions” tab on the right of your table in Airtable.

Step 7: Take advantage of your newly created interface

The extension panel will be on the right side of your screen.

In our example, we added a Miro interface using our Airtable data related to sales. Now salespeople can use this interface page to keep the customer journey in mind when checking their KPIs. Use the share button to collaborate or hand over to end users.

Each extension will bring different benefits, so ensure you browse the Airtable Marketplace to find the one that fits your needs.

Pick the right interface for how you'll share it

The best option depends on who needs access. If your interface stays inside your Airtable workspace and everyone already has an account, the native Interface Designer or a Marketplace extension can do the job in a few minutes.

But the moment you need to share with clients, partners, or vendors who don't use Airtable, or you need real control over design and permissions, Softr is the upgrade. It keeps your Airtable data in sync while giving you secure logins, role-based access, and a polished app you'd be happy to put your brand on.

"I use Softr to build a customer portal, and it helps us streamline both customer-facing and internal record-keeping. The interface looks great, and the integration with Airtable makes it easier." - Ruby H., G2 review

Ready to turn your Airtable base into a real app? Start building with Softr from a free template, or describe your idea to the AI Co-Builder and watch it come together.