Knack
Knack is an online database software that does not require code for the basic functionality of a database. This platform comes with easily accessible help pages which allows individuals to get up to speed with the software.
Pros:
- Pretty much unlimited users. Each user account takes up one record of your allotted records. Cheapest option comes with 20,000 records for data and accounts.
- Cheaper option than other CRMs/ Databases
- Pretty easy to use Interface
- Comes with templates depending on the type of database you’re trying to create
Cons:
- Some limited functionality in terms of triggers
- Need to know languages like javascript/jquery if you want to customize (we never needed to)
- If you need help with your app, you get app consultation, but only in the Pro and Corporate subscriptions
For more information on pricing, click here.
Create a new object
An object in Knack is a way to separate your data into similar categories.
- You will need to add new objects whenever you have a new category of data.
A field in Knack is a specific attribute of an object. You can think of a field like a column in an Excel sheet.
- You are able to define fields when creating the object or add/edit them as you go
For additional information on Objects, click here.
For additional information on Fields, click here.
Add additional records (after the initial upload)
A record in Knack is a specific row of data.
You are able to add in records manually in Knack or via .CSV upload in the backend.
For additional information on Records, click here.
For more information on importing Records, click here.
Add User Roles
User and user roles in Knack are the key to managing permissions for your app.
Users can be created to define a specific group of people that will be using your app. Based on the user, you are able to limit what specific users can see and do within the app.
For more information on Users and Roles, click here.
Pages
Pages and views are used to build your live app. A view is a visual element like a form, table, calendar, menu, report, list, details or search that works with records in your database. A page is used to group multiple views into one web page. Both will show up visually in the live app.
The pages tab is broken into All Pages and User Pages.
The All Pages section shows all the pages associated with your app. If you click the dropdown next to All Pages, you will be able to filter the pages that are seen by each of the user roles.
The User Pages will show the pages that a user of the app will go to in order to change their account settings.
Editing Views is beneficial when you want to alter the types of fields shown and their arrangements.
For more information on pages, click here
For more information on views, click here.
Form Rules
When creating a Form view, Knack will allow you set conditions of the form in three categories of rules:
- Submit Rules: Rules that affect where the user is directed to after form submission.
- Display Rules: Shows and hides inputs based on form values
- Record Rules: Rules that can alter how the records are inserted or updated after the form is submitted.
For more information on forms, click here.
For more information on display rules, click here.
For more information on record rules, click here.
Building Reports
Reports display summary data in either pivot tables, charts, or graphs. Users can view these reports in different graphical displays as well as export specific data that makes up the report.
- Layouts and filters can be applied to the reports.
- All reports are built in the backend of Knack and automatically updated as new data is added.
For more information on reports, click here.