Google Tables Shuts Down, Ending Its Airtable Rivalry
▼ Summary
– Google Tables, a work-tracking tool and competitor to Airtable, is shutting down and will not be supported after December 16, 2025.
– Users are advised to export their data to Google Sheets or migrate to AppSheet, depending on their workflow needs.
– Launched in 2020 from Google’s Area 120 incubator, Tables initially focused on project tracking with automation and later became an official Google Cloud product.
– Despite surviving earlier reorganizations and layoffs at Area 120, Tables is now being discontinued as part of Google’s product strategy.
– Google has provided migration tools and alternatives, including a new data experience within AppSheet launched in June 2023.
Google has announced the discontinuation of its work-tracking application, Google Tables, which will officially cease operations after December 16, 2025. The tool, designed to streamline project management through automation, entered the market as a direct competitor to platforms like Airtable. Current users are being advised to export their data to either Google Sheets or migrate to AppSheet, Google’s no-code development platform.
Originally launched in 2020, Tables emerged from Google’s experimental incubator, Area 120. The service quickly gained traction, transitioning from beta to an official Google Cloud product by 2021. It was positioned as a versatile solution for project tracking, IT operations, customer support, recruiting, and product development. The app was the brainchild of long-time Google employee Tim Gleason, who later shifted roles within the company before announcing his retirement.
Area 120 itself underwent significant restructuring in 2022, with half of its projects canceled and staff reductions implemented. The division was later dissolved entirely in 2023, though a select few projects, such as Aloud, a video dubbing tool, were integrated into core Google products. Despite these broader changes, Tables had been moved under the Google Workspace team and continued operating until now.
In communication with users, Google emphasized two migration paths. Those opting for Google Sheets can export their data directly and continue using tables and conditional notifications for workflow management. Alternatively, a dedicated migration tool is available for moving to AppSheet, which preserves data structure, including column types and relationships, and supports automation, detailed permissions, and deeper integration with Google Workspace.
Earlier this month, the company updated the Tables website with closure details and a FAQ section, highlighting that the team has developed a new data experience within AppSheet. This feature, introduced in June 2023, allows users to construct custom data models for apps and automated workflows directly in the platform, offering a continued path for automation-focused users.
(Source: TechCrunch)
