đź‘‹ Join the Adalo Community
Stay in the loop on everything Adalo! Subscribe today!
Links & Stuff
Copyright 2024 Adalo, Inc. All rights reserved.
Turn Excel into a Mobile App
Build mobile-friendly apps from your Excel spreadsheets—no code required
Connect your Excel files, design a custom interface, and publish to the Apple and Play Store in no time. Real-time sync keeps your data in perfect harmony.
Get started
14 day free trial • No credit card required
Build Any App You Can Imagine
From simple trackers to complex systems—if you can organize it in Excel, you can build it
Keep Your Data Perfectly Synced
Your team stays up-to-date automatically—no more version conflicts or manual data transfers.
Powered by real-time sync:
Automatic detection of columns and data types
Real-time or scheduled sync options
Two-way data flow: changes in your app update Excel, and Excel edits sync back to your users
Build Apps in Hours, Not Months
Skip the $40k development costs and 6-month timelines. Launch professional apps yourself—no coding required.
Powered by Adalo's no-code builder:
Drag-and-drop components (lists, forms, maps, charts, search bars)
Visual data binding to your Excel columns
Logic built with simple rules like "when status = Complete, send notification"
Reach Users Everywhere
Meet your users where they are—on phones, tablets, or desktop—with one beautiful app that works everywhere.
Powered by native mobile & mobile-first web in one build:
Launch a responsive mobile app
Publish native iOS and Android apps later, when you're ready
Reuse the same data and UI components across all platforms
One App, Any Device, Anywhere
Your team stays connected across the globe. Updates sync instantly across all platforms and devices in real-time.
Transform Your Excel Spreadsheet Into a Powerful App
Your data stays in Excel—you just add a sleek interface.
Same data, better experience → No migration needed
Start building your app
Excel vs. Adalo Mobile App: What Changes?
See how turning your spreadsheet into a mobile app transforms how your team works
Feature
Excel Only
Adalo Mobile App (Excel-Powered)
Mobile Experience
Excel mobile app is clunky, tiny cells require constant zooming and scrolling
âś… Mobile-optimized interface with large buttons, forms, and lists
User Access Control
File-level sharing only, everyone sees the entire workbook
âś… Role-based views: field staff see only their assignments, managers see everything
Data Entry Speed
Manual typing into cells, high error rate, validation requires complex formulas
âś… Guided forms with dropdowns, date pickers, and real-time validation
Offline Capability
Desktop Excel works offline, but syncing OneDrive/SharePoint files can conflict
âś… Works offline, auto-syncs when connection restored (with Adalo native apps)
Search & Filtering
Powerful filters and sorting, but requires Excel knowledge to use effectively
âś… Built-in search bars, multi-field filters, saved filter presets
User Training Required
Users need to understand Excel interface, formulas, and workbook structure
âś… Intuitive app interface: most users productive within 5-10 minutes
Notifications & Alerts
Requires Power Automate, VBA macros, or third-party tools
âś… Push notifications, email alerts, in-app messages (built-in)
Scalability
Slows down with large files, formula recalculation can freeze workbooks
âś… Same data limits, but app interface stays fast; easy migration to Adalo database later
Your data stays in Excel—you just add a better interface on top
Start building your app now
FAQ: Excel to Mobile App with Adalo
What are the steps to turn my Excel file into a mobile app?
Prepare Your Excel File - Organize data with clear headers in row 1, consistent types, no merged cells
Upload to Cloud Storage - Move your Excel file to OneDrive, SharePoint, or another cloud service for live sync
Sign Up for Adalo - Create free account and start a new project
Connect Excel - Use the Excel/OneDrive integration to connect and select your workbook
Design Your App Interface - Drag-and-drop components and bind them to Excel columns
Set Up User Access - Add authentication and role-based permissions (optional)
Test Your App - Preview in real-time and verify data syncs back to Excel
Publish Your App - Launch on web instantly, or publish to iOS/Android App Stores
Do I need coding skills to turn Excel into a mobile app?
No. Adalo is a no-code platform. You connect your Excel file, drag and drop components, define simple rules, and publish. No HTML, JavaScript, VBA, or mobile development required.
Will changes in my app update the Excel file?
Yes. With cloud-connected Excel files (OneDrive, SharePoint), you get two-way sync: changes in the app are written back to Excel, and updates in Excel can be reflected in your app. Sync frequency depends on your integration setup.
How is my Excel data kept secure?
Adalo connects to Excel files through Microsoft's OAuth 2.0 authentication when using OneDrive or SharePoint. You control which files Adalo can access, and you can revoke access at any time from your Microsoft account settings. Data transmitted between Excel and your app is encrypted in transit using HTTPS.
Can I control what different users see in the app?
Yes. Adalo supports user authentication and role-based access control. You can create different user roles (e.g., Admin, Manager, Field Staff) and show or hide specific screens, data, and actions based on who is logged in. For example, field technicians might only see their assigned jobs, while managers can view all jobs across the team.
Can I move off Excel later?
Absolutely. If you outgrow Excel, you can migrate to Adalo's built-in database or connect other data sources (like a data warehouse or external API) without rebuilding your entire app. The transition typically involves exporting your Excel data to CSV and importing it into Adalo's database, then reconnecting your app components—usually a few hours of work, not a full rebuild.
How long does it take to go from Excel to a working app?
Most teams can go from a well-structured spreadsheet to a functional prototype in 3-5 hours. A production-ready app with user authentication, custom branding, and refined workflows typically takes 1-2 weeks of part-time work—not the 6–12 months typical of traditional development. The key factor is how clean your Excel structure is: well-organized data with clear headers and consistent formatting speeds up the build significantly.
Can my app work with multiple Excel files or sheets?
Yes. You can connect your Adalo app to multiple Excel workbooks (e.g., one for customers, another for orders, a third for inventory). Each worksheet can become a separate data collection in Adalo, and you can create relationships between them (like linking an order to a customer). Multiple tabs within the same workbook can also be connected as different collections.
What happens if my Excel file gets too large?
Excel files can handle millions of rows, but performance degrades significantly above 100,000 rows, especially with complex formulas. If you approach performance limits, you have three options: (1) Archive old data to a separate workbook and keep only active records in your working file, (2) Split your data across multiple workbooks connected to the same app, or (3) Migrate to Adalo's built-in database, which scales to millions of records with better performance. Most small-to-medium businesses stay comfortably under Excel limits for years.
Do I need a paid Adalo plan to connect Excel?
You can start building and testing your Excel app on Adalo's free plan, which includes mobile app publishing on an Adalo subdomain. However, some advanced features like custom domains require a paid plan. Check Adalo's pricing page for current plan details and integration availability.
Can I add features my Excel file doesn't have, like photo uploads or GPS tracking?
Yes. Adalo apps can capture photos, record GPS locations, send push notifications, scan QR/barcodes, and more—features impossible in Excel alone. For example, a field service app can let technicians photograph completed work (stored in cloud storage), capture GPS coordinates (stored as lat/long in your Excel file), and attach both to a job record. Images can be stored as URLs in your Excel columns.
What should I avoid when preparing my Excel file for an app?
Avoid these common mistakes: (1) Merged cells—use single cells with clear headers instead, (2) Mixed data types in one column (e.g., numbers and text)—keep data types consistent, (3) Complex formulas in cells you want to update from the app—move calculated values to separate columns, (4) Multiple header rows—use a single header row in row 1, (5) Empty rows or columns that break data ranges, (6) Pivot tables or charts mixed with raw data—keep data tables clean and separate. A clean, flat table structure works best.
Can I use Adalo if my team already uses Microsoft 365?
Yes. Adalo works seamlessly with Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365). If your team already collaborates using Excel files in OneDrive or SharePoint, you can connect those files directly to Adalo. User authentication in your Adalo app can also leverage Microsoft Sign-In, allowing team members to log in with their existing Microsoft credentials.
What if I need more complex features like payment processing or email automation?
Adalo supports integrations with payment processors (Stripe, PayPal), email services (SendGrid, Mailchimp), SMS (Twilio), and hundreds of other tools via Zapier, Power Automate, or API connections. For example, you can build an app where new Excel rows trigger automated invoices in Stripe, or completed jobs send confirmation emails via SendGrid—all without writing code.
Is there a limit to how many users can access my Excel app?
User limits depend on your Adalo plan, not on Excel. Free plans typically support a limited number of users, while paid plans scale from hundreds to thousands of concurrent users. Your Excel file itself doesn't impose user limits on the app—you avoid the typical "file in use" conflicts because users interact through the app interface rather than opening the Excel file directly.
When would Adalo NOT be the right choice for my Excel app?
Adalo may not be the best fit if you: (1) Need to process 100,000+ rows of data with complex calculations in real time—consider migrating to a dedicated database first, (2) Require advanced Excel features like complex macros, pivot tables, or Power Query within the app interface—these are better handled in Excel directly, (3) Need millisecond-level real-time collaboration (like live co-editing)—sync happens in seconds, not milliseconds, or (4) Are building a consumer app expecting 100,000+ users—in that case, start with a scalable database from day one instead of Excel.
Sticky CTA
Ready to turn your Excel spreadsheet into an app?
Start your 14-day free trial today—no credit card required
Start Free Trial
