Home Educational Trends Create a Mobile App from Google Sheets in Minutes

Create a Mobile App from Google Sheets in Minutes

by Diana Benner

updated 04/29/19

Did you know that you can easily create a mobile app from one of your Google Sheets?

Glide is a service that lets you add information to a Google sheet, then quickly create an app from its contents, all without coding. Just pick one of your sheets and Glide assembles it into a polished app that you can customize, share with a link, and even publish to the app store.

Using Glide

It’s simple to use Glide. As a matter of fact, I can create an app in less than five minutes—and I know if I can do it, anyone else can. Follow these easy steps below:

  1. Go to the Glide website.
  2. Click on Create an App and sign in with your Google account.
  3. Click on New app and search for your Google sheet.
  4. Wait for your app to be created.

Customizing Your Mobile App

In addition, you can customize your app’s color, logo, and name. You can also create a URL for it. Most importantly, you can password protect it if you don’t want it to be public. If you need extra help, short, built-in videos will talk you through each step. In addition, the Glide Community Forum offers help and feedback on your apps.

Once you are done, you can share your app via its link or open it in a new window. When you do this, the app will appear on your web browser. You can view it there or  scan the QR code that is automatically generated. After scanning the code with your mobile device, add the app to your home screen.

Cost of Glide

Glide can be used for free. With the free version, you can create unlimited apps and share them using a link. There are also paid versions that allow you to remove the Glide branding, as well as push the app out via Apple’s app store and Google Play.

Types of Apps Being Built

Many different types of app can be built using Glide, from school directory apps to school project apps. If you are looking for ways Glide is being used, check out these samples.

For instance, the Objectives app allows you to track objectives or goals in order to keep everything aligned. Another example is an Employee Directory app which helps locate people quickly. You can even copy and customize these sample apps to make them your own. On Twitter, #madewithglide showcases the amazing apps people are making.

Be aware that users must be at least 18 years of age to use Glide, according to Glide’s Legal Terms and Privacy Policy.

Updating the App

A great thing about Glide is the two-way connection between the app and the Google sheet. The app automatically updates from your sheet, so you don’t need to do anything for it to work: it’s automatic. This means edits and changes to your Google Sheet update quickly and without the need to relaunch the app.

Give It a Try

I challenge you to try to create an app using Glide. You’ll be surprised at just how easy it is! Got a great idea or an example of how you use Glide? Let me know in the comments!

To learn even more about Glide, listen to the podcast by David Siegel, in which he explains the history and ideas behind Glide and be sure to follow @glideapps on Twitter.

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14 comments

Keturah Rush April 4, 2019 - 11:47 am

This is awesome! Love it! Just created our school staff directory.

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Lori Gracey April 4, 2019 - 12:54 pm

That is wonderful, Keturah. And it will be so much easier to update!

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Audrey Onsdorff April 9, 2019 - 11:10 am

Love it! I’m going to try to create a Library self check-out app! Thank you!

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Cheryl McKnight April 11, 2019 - 2:25 pm

I created a Family Tree using the app. My family loves it!

I am imagining it could be use for content vocabulary with definitions, images, and example, animal classifications, parts of speech, math formulas, and so much more!

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Sherry B Gerber April 18, 2019 - 10:27 am

Awesome app. I just used it to create a schedule for my UIL Regional Students. They could see time, building and room for their specific events. I also linked where they could see anyone else who should be competing in that same event. I shared this with all students and their coaches so everyone could keep up with their students’ schedules.

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Raul Ganteng May 25, 2019 - 1:12 pm

Amazing APP,I used it to create a schedule for my Family and staff. Thanks for information. Love it

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Bryce August 14, 2019 - 6:36 am

Love it! I manage large installation projects in our school district. I have already created two apps that the installers will use to know what and where to install things. They have links to my campus maps as well as the ability to take a photo of the install and it automatically adds a link to that photo in my spreadsheet.

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Diana Benner August 20, 2019 - 9:51 am

Fantastic, Bryce! I’m glad you found a way to use the app that will help you manage your installation projects.

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Steve October 9, 2019 - 6:31 pm

If you have a Google Sheet with built-in macros (scripts) – will Glide accommodate for those scripts and run them when triggered in the app? As you are likely aware, macros won’t run in Sheets from a mobile device. I’m looking for a solution that saves me from having to build an entire app just to trigger a few scripts in a spreadsheet…

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Diana Benner October 10, 2019 - 9:57 am

Hmm…I’m not sure, Steve. A quick Google search turned up this conversation- https://spectrum.chat/glideapps/help/triggering-onedit-in-google-sheets-when-edits-are-made-from-the-app~858a7b4c-18b2-4164-9d1e-39b6da8346b0. I would encourage you to join the Glide Community at https://community.glideapps.com/ and ask the question there before looking for another solution.

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Anita Brunson February 22, 2020 - 3:02 pm

I gave the Glide a try. It was easy set up! I would like to add a google doc at each title, but the link isn’t clickable. I haven’t been able to find in my search how to add a link in the app for people to click on. Have you tried this before?

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Diana Benner February 24, 2020 - 9:38 am

Hi Anita! You can find a video created by Miguel Guhlin about how to create links in glide at http://ly.tcea.org/glidelinks.

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Miguel Guhlin February 24, 2020 - 10:51 am

Anita, it’s a terrible video of me rambling, but I hope it’s helpful to you.

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codella.biz August 26, 2020 - 1:25 pm

I would like to add a google doc at each title, but the link isn’t clickable.

Reply

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