I. Intro

Use Bitable to flexibly create lightweight databases to meet specific business management needs. You can display the same data source in grid view, Kanban view, gallery view, Gantt view, or form view to highlight different data dimensions, modify view configuration to manage field structure, and use the formula field to perform complex function calculations.

Basic concepts

•Fields and records

In a Bitable, every column is a field, and every row is a record. Once a field is selected, you will be able to insert the according type of data in that column. Example: If you enter a date in the date field/column, the formula in the formula field/column will be applied. Essentially, a Bitable is a database that looks like a sheet.

Bitable currently provides over ten field types. For a list of field types, see the III. FAQs section below.

•Views

You can create multiple types of view for a table to display one data source in different ways. (Think about the Rubik's Cube, where you can arrange the components in different patterns without the need to replace them.) Any edits in any views will be synced to all other views of the table.

•Use Grid view to entry information and data, quickly add, delete, and modify fields and records, allowing you to create a table from scratch.

•In Kanban view every record is a card, and grouped by conditions in multiple lines, useful when you need to group records for management.

•Use Gallery view to view spreadsheets with attachments. The gallery in Gallery view are files in the attachment field.

•Use Gantt view to check project timeline and drag timelines to edit start and end date.

•Use Form view to collect information from designated groups of people. After setting up questions and field types, create the grid view, then switch to the questionnaire-like format in form view.

Note: At present, form view is not supported in Docs. Refer to the following table (supported views are indicated with ✔):

View/Docs type	Bitables	Docs	Sheets
Grid view	✔️	✔️	✔️
Kanban view	✔️	✔️	✔️
Gallery view	✔️	✔️	✔️
Gantt view	✔️	✔️	✔️
Form view	✔️		✔️

II. Steps

•Web version

There are 3 ways to use Bitable in Docs.

1.Create a Bitable.

2.Insert a Bitable in Lark Docs.

3.Create a Bitable in Lark Sheets.

Create Bitable files

•Method 1: On the Docs homepage, hover your cursor over or click New in the upper-right corner > New Bitable.

•Method 2: On the Docs homepage, hover your cursor over or click + in the upper-right corner > New Bitable.

Insert a Bitable in Docs

Insert a Bitable

1.Hover your cursor over the left side of a blank row, then click + and select Bitable from the toolbar.

2.Select the view type to insert: Grid view, Kanban view, Gantt view, or Gallery view.

Note: The type of view you select doesn't have any effect on the functionality of the new Bitable. This only determines the default type of view of the Bitable.

Switch to grid view

1.Click the view name in the upper-left corner of the Bitable.

2.Click New view > select from Grid view, Kanban view, Gantt view, and Gallery view. Information will be presented in different view formats.

Note: Information modified in any view will be synchronized with content in other views.

Insert a Bitable in Sheets

Insert a Bitable

1.Click + to the right of the Sheet name, and select Create a Bitable.

2.Choose to create a Bitable template or a blank Bitable:

a.Select Start with a template to choose from the template gallery.

b.Select Grid view, Kanban view, Gantt view, Gallery view, or Form view to create a corresponding blank Bitable in that view.

Note: The type of view you select doesn't have any effect on the functionality of the new Bitable. This only determines the default type of view of the Bitable.

3.The created Bitable will be displayed as a new sheet.

Switch to grid view

You can add views for a Bitable to display the same data source in different ways. Different views of the same spreadsheet share the same data source. Any data updated in one view will be synced to all other views.

•Create a view: Click >> in the upper-left corner of the Bitable, then select New view.

•Edit a view name: Click >> in the upper-left corner of the Bitable, then double click the view name or click ... to the right of the view name to rename Bitable.

•Copy a view: Click >> in the upper-left corner of the Bitable, then click ... to the right of the view name and select Copy view.

•Delete a view: Click >> in the upper-left corner of the Bitable, then click ... to the right of the view name and select Delete view.

Add or delete fields and records

•Add a field: Click + on the right side of the Bitable, select field types to be added, then click Confirm.

•Delete a field: Right-click the field and select Delete field/column.

•Add a record:

◦Add one row: Click + in the lower-right corner of the Bitable.

•Add multiple rows: Right-click the cell and enter Number of rows to insert above/below.

•Delete a record: Select the record to delete, then right-click to select Delete record.

Bitable templates

To provide a more convenient user experience, we provide a wide range of Bitable templates to suit different scenarios and data management needs. In the Docs template gallery, filter Template type by Bitable to view all templates.

•Mobile app

Create Bitable files

On the Docs homepage, tap + in the lower-right corner and select Bitable to create a Bitable.

Create tables and views

Create a table: Tap the first button in the lower-right corner of a Bitable. In the panel that appears, tap New table to create a new table. The new table is shown in grid view by default.

Create a view for a table: Tap the first button in the lower-right corner of a Bitable. In the panel that appears, swipe left on the table name, tap +, and select the view type to create.

Switch tables and views

Switch tables: Tap the first button in the lower-right of a Bitable. In the panel that appears, tap the table to switch to and select the view to display.

Switch other views of the table: Tap the first button in the lower-right corner of a Bitable. In the panel that appears, select the view to switch to.

Copy, delete, and rename tables and views

Copy a table or view: Tap the first button in the lower-right corner of a Bitable. In the panel that appears, swipe left on the table or view name, and tap ... > Copy. The copied table or view will be saved under the original table or view.

Delete a table or view: Tap the first button in the lower-right corner of a Bitable. In the panel that appears, swipe left on the table or view name, and tap + > Delete.

Note: When a Bitable has only one table or a table has only one view, you can't delete this table or view.

Rename a table or view: Tap the first button in the lower-right corner of a Bitable. In the panel that appears, swipe left on the table or view name, and tap + > Rename.

Add or delete records

Add a record: Tap + in the lower-right corner of a Bitable to add one row of records.

Delete a record: Tap the record to delete. Then, tap Delete record at the bottom of the record card that appears.

Bitable templates

To provide a more convenient user experience, we provide a wide range of Bitable templates to suit different scenarios and data management needs. In the Docs template gallery, tap Type filter > Bitable > Confirm in the upper right corner to view all templates.

III. FAQs

What is the difference between Bitable on Docs and the independent Bitable product?

Bitable is available on Docs and as an independent product to meet the diverse needs of users. There is no functional difference between these two versions, and both are accessible by accounts and files.

Bitable on Docs: More suitable for users who wish to merge Docs, Sheets, and Bitables to allow collaboration across multiple document types.

Independent Bitable: Able to meet application needs better, allowing users to create and manage an application with Bitable.

What are the available Bitable fields?

Field/Column type	When to use	Primary column (First field column)	Other columns	Can be viewed on mobile app	Can be edited on mobile app
Multiline	Insert text into a cell	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️
Single option	Add one tag into a cell		✔️	✔️	Can make a new selection from existing options Can't add or delete options
Multiple options	Add multiple tags into a cell		✔️	✔️	Can make a new selection from existing options Can't add or delete options
Member	Mention one or multiple members in a cell		✔️	✔️	✔️
Date	Insert a specific date and time in a cell, and set reminders	✔️	✔️	✔️	Can edit dates Can't change format
Attachment	Upload attachments into a cell, such as images and PDFs Attachments will be shown as covers in gallery view		✔️	✔️	✔️
Number	Insert numbers into a cell, such as numbers and currency	✔️	✔️	✔️	Can edit numbers Can't change format
Checkbox	Insert a checkbox in a cell		✔️	✔️	✔️
URL	Insert a webpage URL in a cell	✔️	✔️	✔️
Formula	To display results of a calculation involving multiple cells in the current grid or across grids in the cell (Currently, only data from other grids in the same Bitable can be linked)	✔️	✔️	✔️
Find and reference	Quickly find and reference data from grids that meets specified conditions		✔️
One-way link	Add one-way link to records in another table in a cell (You can only link records from tables within the same Bitable)		✔️	✔️	✔️
Two-way link	Add two-way link to records in another table in a cell and the associated record will be linked back (You can only link records from tables within the same Bitable)		✔️	✔️
Created by	To show who created the record (Auto-generated and can't be modified)		✔️	✔️
Modified by	To show who's the last person to modify the record (Auto-generated and can't be modified)		✔️	✔️
Created at	To show when the record was created (Auto-generated and can't be modified)		✔️	✔️
Last updated	To show when the last modification happened (Auto-generated and can't be modified)		✔️	✔️

Can I insert a Bitable in Docs using the mobile app?

No, this feature is not supported for now.