Can You Export Airtable Data to PDF? (5 Methods Explained)

Yes, you can export Airtable data to PDF using several methods, from native functions to powerful third-party tools. The right approach depends on your specific needs for formatting, automation, and volume.

By exporting to PDF, you can create essential documents like:

• Invoices and receipts
• Certificates and diplomas
• Project reports and proposals
• Product catalogs

This guide walks through five proven methods to help you choose the best one for your workflow.

Export Airtable to PDF Using Built-in Print

The fastest way to export a simple PDF from Airtable is by using your browser's native print function. This creates a direct snapshot of your current view, making it perfect for quick, internal-use documents.

Simply open the view you want to save and press Cmd+P (Mac) or Ctrl+P (Windows), then select "Save as PDF".

• Best for: Quick, one-time exports where custom formatting is not a priority.
• Limitation: It only captures what's visible on your screen and offers no design control.

Using Airtable Page Designer for Custom PDFs

Page Designer is Airtable's native app for designing single-page documents from your records. It gives you drag-and-drop control over the layout of your fields.

This tool works well when you need a custom design for individual items and plan to export them manually.

• Best for: Creating custom-designed, single-record documents like certificates, badges, or event tickets.
• Key Limitations: It only supports single-page outputs, lacks automation, and cannot handle multi-page reports.

The Airtable community shares those negative feelings. Here is a screenshot from an Airtable expert sharing his experience with Page Designer.

Export Airtable to PDF via CSV (Excel/Google Sheets)

For a free method that handles multiple records in a simple table, you can export your data as a CSV file. You can then open this file in a spreadsheet program to create a PDF.

The workflow is straightforward:

1. In your Airtable view, click the view name and select "Download CSV".
2. Open the downloaded file in Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets.
3. Use the "Print" or "Export to PDF" function within the spreadsheet program.

This method is excellent for creating simple data tables or data backups without needing custom branding.

Using Third-Party Tools to Generate PDFs from Airtable

When you need automation, custom branding, or bulk PDF generation, third-party tools provide the power that native options lack. These tools generally fall into two categories.

Integration Platforms (Zapier and Make)

If you already use platforms like Zapier or Make, you can connect them to a document generation app to create PDFs. This approach is best for users who are already comfortable with these tools, as the learning curve and cost can be high for new users.

Dedicated PDF Generation Tools

Tools like Typeflow and Documint are built specifically for document automation. They integrate directly with Airtable to generate complex, branded PDFs with dynamic data and images.

While both are powerful, their main difference is the template builder. Documint uses a proprietary drag-and-drop editor, whereas Typeflow uses the familiar interface of Google Docs. Feel free to compare Documint and Typeflow here.

How to Automate PDF Generation from Airtable with Typeflow

Typeflow automates the entire PDF generation process by connecting your Airtable data to templates you build in Google Docs. No coding is required.

You can trigger PDF creation with a button click, on a schedule, or automatically when a record is updated. Here's how easy it is to set up:

1. When you connect for the first time, you need to connect your Airtable.
2. Then, you select a new template. You can choose one of your Google Docs from your Google Drive. You can also start with one of the pre-built templates. When building your template, ensure you put variables/placeholders in place. We will use them to replace them with Airtable data to generate PDFs.

3. Select your Airtable base and table. Then, choose the field attachment for the PDFs.

4. If you use a date, you can choose how to format it.

5. Map your Google Docs variable to your Airtable data.

6. You can map data from another table if you have line items (or a loop in Typeflow).
7. Once you complete the mapping, you can generate a PDF for the test.

8. If it works well, copy the link to your Airtable base as a formula or button. You must click this formula or button to generate a PDF for each record.

Comparing PDF Export Methods: Which Should You Choose?

With several options available, this quick guide will help you decide which method is right for your business.

Consider these factors when choosing:

• Volume: How many PDFs do you need to create each month?
• Formatting: Do you need a simple table or a fully branded document?
• Automation: Is a manual process acceptable, or do you need a hands-free workflow?

Author Bio

Kevin Rabesaotra is a growth engineer and automation specialist with over 8 years of experience building no-code solutions. As the Founder & CEO of TypeFlow, he helps businesses automate document generation from their Airtable data.

His work focuses on creating intuitive tools that streamline complex workflows, saving businesses hours of manual effort.