What's the difference between apps and tables, and how to use each one to manage processes
A table is where the data lives — a big spreadsheet organized into columns and rows —, while an app is the visual layer that decides how that same data is displayed: kanban, list, dashboard, or chart, with filters and conditionals a table alone doesn't offer.
Airtable, with bases and views, and Notion, with databases and views, follow this same logic of separating where data lives from how it's displayed, and that's where Jestor stands out: these apps are already born connected to the same platform's automations and integrations.
Why does understanding the difference between apps and tables matter?
Without that clarity, it's easy to try duplicating data into another table just to display it differently, when the same result could come from a new app built on the same data.
How do apps and tables work in Jestor?
- The table stores raw data in columns, with limited options for changing how that information is displayed right there.
- The app takes that same table and lets you view it in different ways: kanban, filtered table, list, Gantt, and more.
- A kanban card can show just name, priority, and owner from the outside, while the rest of the fields only appear once you open the card.
- The app also lets you visually filter data and use conditionals to show or hide information depending on the process stage.
| Structure | What it does |
|---|---|
| Table | Stores raw data, in columns and rows |
| App | Displays that data as a kanban, list, dashboard, or Gantt |
To create a table and app together:
- Create the table first, with the necessary columns.
- Create the app — kanban, list, dashboard — choosing which table it will display.
- Define which fields appear in each context (outside and inside the card).
Why choose Jestor to separate data from display?
Separating data from display lets you view the same information in several ways — a kanban for the operations team, a list for quick search, a dashboard for leadership — without duplicating any data between them.
Frequently asked questions
Does changing the app change the data stored in the table?
No, the app only changes how it's displayed; the data in the table stays the same.
Can the same table have more than one app?
Yes, you can create several different apps — kanban, list, dashboard — on top of the same table.
Can what shows outside a kanban card be different from what shows when you open it?
Yes, you can filter what shows outside and inside the card separately.
Do I need to create the table before the app?
Yes, the app is built on top of an already-existing table, or one created alongside it, in the case of guided flows.
Reference video
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