Every powerful application is built on a solid data structure. In Saasio, the foundation of your data is built in Data Tables. Think of a Data Table as a spreadsheet or a database table. It’s where you define the “shape” of the information you need to store. For example, a
Users table would define that every user must have an email (Text), a password (Text), and a lastLogin (Date).
What is a Data Table?
A Data Table is a blueprint for a specific type of data in your app. It’s made up of fields (columns) where each field has a specific data type.Important: The “Data Tables” tab is for defining the structure of your
data. The actual data records (rows) are viewed and managed in the “App
Data” tab.
The Two Roles of a Data Table
In Saasio, Data Tables can serve two distinct but related purposes.For Storing Data
This is the most common use. You create a table like
Products or Users
to be your actual database. You will use workflows to create, read,
update, and delete rows in these tables.For Defining a 'Shape' (Pure Type)
This is a more advanced concept. You can create a table that will not
store any data itself. Instead, its only job is to act as a reusable
blueprint or a “shape” for your data. You can then reference this shape in
your State variables or API responses to ensure your data is always
structured correctly.
Creating Your First Data Table
Let’s create a simpleProducts table that will define the structure for products in an e-commerce store.
1
1. Navigate to the Data Tab
In the top navigation bar of the editor, click on the Data tab. You will land on the Data Tables sub-tab by default.
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2. Create a New Table
Enter a name for your new table in the input field (e.g.,
Products) and
click the “Create” button. Your new table will appear in the list.3
3. Add Fields (Columns) to Your Table
With your
Products table selected, you can now add fields to it. Click the ”+ Add new field” button.For each field, you need to define:- Field Name: A descriptive name for the column (e.g.,
productName,price,inStock). - Data Type: The type of data this field will hold.
Understanding Field Data Types
Choosing the correct data type is essential for a well-structured app. Here are some of the most common types:Text
For storing plain text, like names, descriptions, or emails.
Number
For storing numerical values, like prices, quantities, or ratings.
Boolean
For storing a simple
true or false value, like inStock or
isVerified.Date
For storing a specific date and time, like
createdAt or lastLogin.Relation to another Data Table
This is a powerful feature that allows you to link tables together. For
example, a
Products table could have a seller field that is a relation
to your Users table.List of items
Check this box if a field should hold a list (array) of values instead of a
single value. For example, a
productImages field could be a List of
Images.Products Table Structure:
productName(Text)description(Text)price(Number)inStock(Boolean)images(Image, List)seller(Relation toUsersTable)