> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.teable.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Import

> Import CSV or Excel files to create a new table or append data to an existing table.

Use import to initialize a new table or append new data to an existing table.

<Info>
  Excel files are limited to **5MB**. If you need to import a larger dataset, save it as **CSV** first and then import it.
</Info>

<Steps>
  <Step title="Choose an import method">
    To create a new table, click `+` at the top of the left directory and choose `From CSV` or `From Excel`. To append data to an existing table, choose `Import data` from the target table menu.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Upload the file">
    Select the CSV or Excel file you want to import. Excel files must be **5MB** or smaller.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Check field settings">
    Review the preview after upload. When creating a new table, you can adjust field types. When appending to an existing table, confirm how file columns map to target fields.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Start the import">
    Click **Import**. Teable processes the data in the background and notifies you when the import succeeds or fails.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  Before the completion notification arrives, do not delete the table being generated, delete fields, or change field types. These changes may affect the import result.
</Warning>

## Import Flow

Click `+` at the top of the left directory and select CSV or Excel according to your file type.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/teablecn/jEnUUdkBJLjaocXx/images/docs/base/2026-05-22-table-create-menu.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=jEnUUdkBJLjaocXx&q=85&s=2eb7e5752c8eaaeec4fd088b5182df69" alt="Import a new table from the menu" className="docs-screenshot" width="1600" height="888" data-path="images/docs/base/2026-05-22-table-create-menu.png" />

After upload, Teable predicts field types from the first 5,000 rows of data. You can adjust them before importing.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/teablecn/jEnUUdkBJLjaocXx/images/docs/base/2026-05-22-table-import-preview.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=jEnUUdkBJLjaocXx&q=85&s=4d1e683fb61c164ac392f88e347564b1" alt="Import preview and field settings" className="docs-screenshot" width="1600" height="1418" data-path="images/docs/base/2026-05-22-table-import-preview.png" />

To append data to an existing table, open the table menu, select **Import data**, and choose the file type.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/teablecn/jEnUUdkBJLjaocXx/images/docs/base/2026-05-22-table-import-data-menu.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=jEnUUdkBJLjaocXx&q=85&s=c0e0319546a30bb590747ebb2775a5ab" alt="Import data from the table menu" className="docs-screenshot" width="1600" height="1078" data-path="images/docs/base/2026-05-22-table-import-data-menu.png" />

After upload, map file columns to fields in the target table, then click **Import**. Teable processes the data in the background and notifies you when the import succeeds or fails.

## Notes

* **First row detection**: Teable treats the first row as the header row by default. Make sure the first row contains clear column names, not data.
* **Date format**: Teable can recognize common date formats such as `YYYY-MM-DD`. For unusual formats, standardize them before import, or import them as text and convert the field type later.