# Paste Data into a Baserow Table from a Spreadsheet > Copy data from Excel or Google Sheets into Baserow cells, let missing rows get created automatically, and see which field types accept pasted values. Source: https://opennix.org/en/docs/baserow/rows/paste-data-into-baserow-table/ Copying a block of cells from a spreadsheet and pasting it straight into Baserow is often faster than typing data in one field at a time - missing rows get created on the fly, and a single value can be dropped into dozens of cells at once. This guide covers selection rules, the paste workflow itself, and how different field types react to pasted data. ## Overview Pasting data into Baserow feels like a regular spreadsheet, but with smart automatic row creation built in. When the pasted data has more rows than the table currently has, Baserow creates exactly the rows needed and fills them immediately with the pasted values. That removes the need to [add rows manually](/docs/baserow/rows/how-to-make-new-rows/) first, which makes bulk data entry fast whether the source is Excel, Google Sheets, or another Baserow table. If the source data is a whole CSV file rather than a clipboard fragment, see [Import Data into an Existing Table](/docs/baserow/tables/import-data-into-an-existing-table/) for that separate file-upload workflow. ![Pasting a single value into every selected cell](/images/baserow/rows/baserow-paste-single-value-multiple-cells.jpg) ## How paste operations work Baserow recognizes several paste scenarios so the behavior matches familiar spreadsheet workflows while still respecting the table's structure and field types. ### Automatic row creation When the pasted data exceeds the available rows, Baserow creates exactly the number of rows needed. Pasting 10 rows of data into a 6-row table, for instance, adds 4 new rows and fills them with the pasted values instantly - no confirmation dialog, no manual step. ### One value into many cells Copy a single cell and select several destination cells to paste the same value everywhere. Copy a cell containing "Approved" and select 20 empty cells, for example, and all 20 will read "Approved" after pasting. This is a fast way to fill in default values, status updates, or any other repeated value. ### Overwriting existing data Pasting into cells that already hold data replaces the existing values with the pasted content. Baserow does not warn before overwriting - it assumes the paste is intentional. Always check the paste target before confirming to avoid losing data by accident, and use undo (Ctrl/Cmd + Z) immediately if an overwrite happens by mistake. ## Selecting cells and rows Selecting rows enables bulk editing, deletion, copying data across rows, or applying an operation to several records at once. Baserow supports a few selection methods for different situations. ### Selecting individual cells - click any cell to select it for editing or as a paste target; - click and drag across several cells to select a range, extending horizontally across fields or vertically down rows. Selected cells are highlighted, showing exactly where the pasted data will land. ### Selecting rows - click a row number on the left to select the whole row; - hold Shift and click another row number to select everything between the first and last selection; - hold Ctrl (Windows) or Cmd (Mac) and click individual row numbers to select several non-adjacent rows. > **Selection limit:** Baserow allows selecting up to 200 rows at once because of lazy loading, which fetches data progressively as you scroll rather than loading the whole table. This keeps performance smooth even in tables with millions of rows. ### Selecting a rectangular area for pasting Click and drag to select a rectangular block of cells when the target is a specific range of fields. The selected area must match the dimensions of the copied data for correct alignment - pasting a block that is 3 columns by 5 rows requires selecting a 3x5 target area. ## Step-by-step paste process Follow these steps for a paste that works reliably regardless of the source. ### Basic paste operation 1. **copy the source data** from Excel, Google Sheets, or another Baserow table with Ctrl/Cmd + C; 2. **click the target cell** in Baserow where the pasted data should begin; 3. **paste** with Ctrl/Cmd + V, or right-click and choose "Paste"; 4. **let Baserow create rows automatically** if the pasted data exceeds the available rows; 5. **check the result** to confirm the data landed in the intended fields. ![Pasting data that automatically creates new rows](/images/baserow/rows/baserow-paste-data-auto-create-rows.webp) ### Copying within Baserow Move or duplicate data between rows in the same table, or across different tables in the same workspace. Select the cells to copy, copy them with Ctrl/Cmd + C, then navigate to the destination and paste with Ctrl/Cmd + V. This works within one table, between tables in the same database, or across different databases in the same workspace. ![Moving rows between tables with copy and paste](/images/baserow/rows/baserow-copy-paste-rows-between-tables.webp) ## Field type compatibility Knowing how each field type handles pasted data helps avoid unexpected results. Check that the source data's format matches the destination field type before pasting. ### Compatible field types - text pasted into a text field always works - both single-line and long-text fields accept any pasted content; - numbers must be numeric characters for a paste into a number field to succeed - text strings are rejected; - dates need proper formatting, and an ISO date like 2024-03-15 works best; - boolean fields accept variations of true/false, yes/no, or 1/0. ### Special handling Single-select and multi-select fields accept pasted values only when they match an existing option exactly. Pasting "Pending" into a status field with the options "Pending," "Approved," and "Rejected" works fine, but pasting "pending" in lowercase creates a mismatch unless that exact option exists. ### Failed pastes When pasted data does not match a field's requirements, the affected cells stay empty instead of showing an error. Pasting "abc" into a number field, for example, leaves that cell blank. Review the paste result right away to catch these mismatches before continuing. See [Baserow Field Overview](/docs/baserow/fields/baserow-field-overview/) for more on field types. ## Frequently asked questions **Can I paste data with more columns than the table has fields?** No, a paste only fills existing fields. If the copied data has 10 columns but the table has 7 fields, only the first 7 columns are pasted and the rest are ignored. Add the fields you need before pasting if every column matters. **What happens if the pasted data doesn't match a field's type?** Cells where the data does not match the field's requirements stay empty after the paste. Pasting text into a number field, for instance, leaves those cells blank - Baserow does not surface a per-cell error, so results need a manual review. **Can I paste formatted text with bold or italics?** No, Baserow pastes plain text only. Formatting like bold, italics, color, or font size is stripped during the paste; only the text content itself carries over. **How do I know Baserow created rows automatically?** Watch the table during the paste - new rows appear at the bottom as they are created, the row count increases, and the pasted values fill them in. Scroll down afterward to confirm everything landed correctly. **Can I paste into a filtered view?** Yes, but the behavior differs slightly. Rows created by the paste appear in a filtered view only if they match its filter conditions; rows that don't match are still created in the table but stay hidden. Remove the filters to see everything that was pasted. **Is there a way to link several rows automatically?** If a spreadsheet or CSV has a column of names (or other primary values), copy that column and paste it directly into a link-to-table field. Baserow tries to match the text to existing records and link them - pasting into a link field performs a lookup and a link in one step. Next, read [Row Configuration Options](/docs/baserow/rows/navigating-row-configurations/) to adjust row height, reorder rows, and choose the right editing method.