Grist

Grist is a modern relational spreadsheet that combines the flexibility of spreadsheets with the structure and robustness of a database. It’s designed for building collaborative, spreadsheet-like data apps with strong data modeling, views, and access controls.

Key Features

• Relational tables with typed columns and references between records
• Spreadsheet-style formulas with full Python syntax and access to the Python standard library
• Multiple views and dashboards, including charts, card views, calendar widgets, and linked widgets
• Import/export tools (including CSV and Excel formats) and incremental imports for updating existing datasets
• Built-in forms that write directly into tables
• REST API, outgoing webhooks, and support for external/custom widgets
• Granular sharing and access control, including rules for rows, columns, and tables
• Portable document format based on SQLite for easy backup and migration

Use Cases

• Replace complex spreadsheets with a structured, collaborative system for operational data
• Build lightweight internal tools (CRMs, inventory trackers, project trackers) with no-code layouts
• Collect data via forms and produce dashboards and reports for teams

Grist is a strong fit for teams that want spreadsheet familiarity while gaining relational modeling, safer collaboration, and integration-friendly workflows. It can be self-managed for tighter control and supports a broad range of data-driven workflows without requiring a full custom app build.