NocoDB: Open-Source Airtable

NocoDB is an open-source Airtable alternative that turns any database into a smart spreadsheet.

It provides a rich user interface that allows you to create powerful database applications without writing code. NocoDB supports PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQL Server, and more, making it ideal for building internal tools and data management systems.

Quick Start

Pigsty provides a Docker Compose configuration file for NocoDB in the software template directory:

cd ~/pigsty/app/nocodb

Review and modify the .env configuration file (adjust database connections as needed).

Start the service:

make up     # Start NocoDB with Docker Compose

Access NocoDB:

• Default URL: http://nocodb.pigsty
• Alternate URL: http://10.10.10.10:8080
• First-time access requires creating an administrator account

Management Commands

Pigsty provides convenient Makefile commands to manage NocoDB:

make up      # Start NocoDB service
make run     # Start with Docker (connect to external PostgreSQL)
make view    # Display NocoDB access URL
make log     # View container logs
make info    # View service details
make stop    # Stop the service
make clean   # Stop and remove containers
make pull    # Pull the latest image
make rmi     # Remove NocoDB image
make save    # Save image to /tmp/nocodb.tgz
make load    # Load image from /tmp/nocodb.tgz

Connect to PostgreSQL

NocoDB can connect to PostgreSQL databases managed by Pigsty.

When adding a new project in the NocoDB interface, select “External Database” and enter the PostgreSQL connection information:

Host: 10.10.10.10
Port: 5432
Database Name: your_database
Username: your_username
Password: your_password
SSL: Disabled (or enable as needed)

After successful connection, NocoDB will automatically read the database table structure, and you can manage data through the visual interface.

Features

• Smart Spreadsheet Interface: Excel/Airtable-like user experience
• Multiple Views: Grid, form, kanban, calendar, gallery views
• Collaboration Features: Team collaboration, permission management, comments
• API Support: Auto-generated REST API
• Integration Capabilities: Webhooks, Zapier integrations
• Import/Export: CSV, Excel format support
• Formulas and Validation: Complex data calculations and validation rules

Configuration

NocoDB configuration is in the .env file:

# Database connection (NocoDB metadata storage)
NC_DB=pg://postgres:[email protected]:5432/nocodb

# JWT secret (recommended to change)
NC_AUTH_JWT_SECRET=your-secret-key

# Other settings
NC_PUBLIC_URL=http://nocodb.pigsty
NC_DISABLE_TELE=true

Data Persistence

NocoDB metadata is stored by default in an external PostgreSQL database, and application data can also be stored in PostgreSQL.

If using local storage, data is saved in the /data/nocodb directory.

Security Recommendations

1. Change Default Secret: Modify NC_AUTH_JWT_SECRET in the .env file
2. Use Strong Passwords: Set strong passwords for administrator accounts
3. Configure HTTPS: Enable HTTPS for production environments
4. Restrict Access: Limit access through firewall or Nginx
5. Regular Backups: Regularly back up the NocoDB metadata database

Related Links

• NocoDB Website: https://nocodb.com/
• Documentation: https://docs.nocodb.com/
• GitHub Repository: https://github.com/nocodb/nocodb
• Pigsty Software Template: https://github.com/pgsty/pigsty/tree/main/app/nocodb