Glide – Turn Google Spreadsheets Into Apps & Websites

No-code is a software development method that allows non-programmers or persons with little technical knowledge to create websites or applications without writing code.

Instead, you can carry out the procedure visually by using a graphical interface and settings.

It enables the creation of applications without the need for coding skills. No-code platforms use technology to enhance, rather than hinder, the potential of humans to create.

No-code is now extensively used across the world. The following are some of the features.

• It will save you months of labor since you can now construct a website without having to know how to code.
• It is easier and less expensive to create a website. Hiring developers will be expensive, but with no code, you will be able to save money.
• You can now design a website on your own that will offer value to your skill or business, regardless of your degree, occupation, or position within a company.
• Obviously, with no code, web developers would have less work on their hands and would be able to focus more on simplifying operations or developing new ideas.

Laced with all these features and more is a tool called Glide that can help developers in creating attractive apps without prior coding skills.

It is a simple piece of software that connects to your Google account and pulls data from Google Sheets. With Glide, you can create and deploy Google Sheets apps for both iOS and Android.

Let’s find out how it works, its benefits, drawbacks, and more.

What is Glide?

Glide can generate attractive apps from spreadsheets in minutes, requiring no coding or design knowledge.

You already have most of what you need to construct your app with Glide if you have data in a spreadsheet, whether it’s in a Google Sheet, Excel, or another data source.

Glide can transform that data into web and mobile apps in minutes, especially if you choose one of the pre-built templates and create a replica of an existing app that meets your use case.

Glide simplifies and enjoys the development process by providing a user-friendly interface that allows you to drag and drop components. You can customize the appearance and feel of your project, which comes with a stunning front-end design by default.

Updating your app is equally straightforward; changes to your spreadsheet are reflected in real-time in your app, and vice versa.

Who can use Glide?

Glide allows you to create apps for iOS and Android even if you don’t know how to code. You can’t have your program downloaded through the PlayStore or the AppStore for the free edition.

Thus you’ll have to provide a link straight from Glide to the client.

It is a simple no-code platform for anyone who wishes to quickly create basic apps for business, travel, pleasure or establishing personal objectives (such as fitness and savings).

It can assist a wide range of individuals, including educators, HR/operations professionals, startup employees, small company owners, foodies, and young parents, thanks to its innovative features.

Features

• Apps are intended to look great on iPhones, iPads, and Android phones, and tablets.
• When you have fundamental building blocks to present your data, you don’t require a sophisticated visual editor.
• Changes to your data are reflected immediately in your app, and vice versa.
• Data can be synced in the field in real-time, without conflicts or laborious processes.
• You can make an app for yourself just, or you can share it with friends or the entire world.
• Share your portal as a simple online link, and anybody with any device–mobile, tablet, desktop, and more–can access it.
• When you make changes to your data in Glide, it syncs back to your Google Sheets, Excel workbook, or Airtable base.
• If you wish to work on applications with anybody, add them to your team.

How to develop an app or website in 4 easy steps without coding?

There are simply four steps to creating an app without coding:

Step 0: Choose between app or web.

Step 1: Make a spreadsheet to organize your data.

Step 2: Configure the app’s functionality.

Step 3: Customize the app’s design

Step 4: Promote and share with others

Isn’t it true that it’s easier said than done?

Well, with a no-code app builder, a fantastic concept, and some elbow grease, it’s quite possible to create a completely working app with no coding in just a few minutes. And you can do it for free!

Step 0: Choose between app or web.

You just have to pick among them when you begin developing your app or website.

As a result, you will have the app view or web view and will be able to work more effectively. The rest of the process will be the same; the only variation will be in the layout.

Step 1: Make a spreadsheet to organize your data.

An app’s three essential components are:

• Data
• Functionality
• Design

Data is the core of every program since there would be no gasoline to drive functionality if it did not exist. The data is typically kept in a spreadsheet when developing an app without using code.

Google Sheets is often the most user-friendly and accessible spreadsheet software, and it also offers a great deal of customization through add-ons.

Your data is already in a spreadsheet. Assume you wanted to create an app that served as an employee directory.

All of the information required to power the app would be contained in a spreadsheet, with the top row containing all of the column headers:

• Name
• Title
• Email
• Phone
• Photograph

In its current configuration, the spreadsheet is theoretically usable as a directory, but it is tedious and difficult to access on mobile devices.

Glide lets you create an app that your coworkers will like and find useful.

Step 2: Configure the app’s functionality.

It’s now time to add layout and navigation to your app.

Consider one of your phone’s most-used applications, such as email—essentially it’s a collection of panels that display various kinds of information and enable you to go back and forth between them as required.

For the vast majority of programs, there are three primary layers to consider:

• Tabs
• High-level screens (lists)
• Detail screens

Tabs

An app’s principal navigation is via tabs. Tabs allow you to navigate between your top-level displays.

It has a tab for Staff, Locations, and Me in our employee directory app example.

You’ll also find instances of tabs in almost all of the apps you’re already using.

Open Instagram—can you see the tabs for your home feed, mentions, and profile? The idea is the same, except now you’re in command.

High-Level Screen

Tabs lead you to top-level displays that contain much of your functionality.

Top-level displays are often some type of list with summary data. When you open your email inbox, for example, you get a list of all your emails, along with information like the subject line, sender, preview text, and so on.

Each top-level screen you design will be linked to a different tab in your Google Sheet.

As a result, while these top-level displays are inherently lists, they don’t have to be boring lists.

You can change the layout depending on the type of app you’re making. Because photographs dominate our personnel directory app’s staff page, a grid-style (as shown in the screenshot) makes more sense.

Detail Screen

If a user notices anything on your top-level panel that piques their attention, they will tap it to be sent to a detailed screen. In our employee directory example, this would be a staff member’s profile.

From here, use your intuition to consider all of the potential activities a user would wish to perform once they reach this screen. This can be to email a coworker, phone them, find out where they are, and so on.

At this point, you should have a fully working program that offers the usefulness you intended for your consumers.

Step 3: Customize the app’s design.

You’ll want to polish the aesthetic if you want your consumers to feel a feeling of joy when using your app, which is crucial if you want them to keep using it.

Colors, typography, icons, and themes… There are nearly infinite methods to personalize your app.

Step 4: Promote and share with others.

When you’ve finished customizing your app, it’s time to publish it so you can add it to your phone’s home screen.

You’re done when you click the “Publish” button in the top right corner of the app builder screen.

Of course, apps are more enjoyable when others participate, so use the choices for sharing your app with others.

Glide Pros

• Apps that are easily deployed.
• It is user-friendly.
• Extensive library of pre-built app templates.
• App work can be kept inside its context for future editing.
• The program has cross-platform deployment functionality.
• Can add map features inside the program based on the data in your Google sheet, as well as the ability to add pictures depending on the links added to the sheet.
• There is no prior coding expertise necessary, and it can be used by anybody.
• It takes less time to construct a basic application, which would have taken much longer if we had programmed it from the start using programming languages.

Glide Cons

• Themes for widgets, UI themes, and orientation are all limited.
• Not suitable for developing high-end apps with several functionalities.
• The free version includes a Glide-created tag, which is undesirable if we want to reveal it to a client.
• The free version of Glide lacks several features, requiring the purchase of the commercial version.
• It stutters a little when you open it and use the features.

Pricing

Pricing is available in two sections – Glide Apps and Glide Pages.

Glide Apps

You can start using it with its Personal App tier, which is entirely free. It also offers three premium tiers which are listed below.

• Pro App: $32/month.
• Private App: $40/month + $2/extra user.
• Enterprise: You have to contact them for more information.

Glide Pages

You can start using it with its Personal Page, which is entirely free. It also offers two premium pages which are listed below.

• Pro Page: $40/month + $2/extra user.
• Enterprise: You have to contact them for more information.

Get Started with Glide for Free

Conclusion

Glide is an excellent no-code builder that converts spreadsheets into sophisticated apps for professional or personal use.

Making apps or websites with Glide only requires basic spreadsheet skills. Moreover, deploying the apps is also incredibly simple.

For developers, it is a great time saver. For non-developers, a great starting point to build your own apps with coding skills.

I highly recommend exploring Glide and flexing your creative (and no-coding) muscles.