My Experience with a No-Code App Builder

Recently, I tried AppSheet, Google’s no-code app builder. It allows users to create simple CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) apps using Google Sheets as a backend. I wanted to test it out and build something useful for myself. Since I currently track my expenses in an Excel sheet, I decided to create an expense tracker app.

My Current Expense Tracker #

I have been manually entering my expenses into an Excel sheet. The sheet automatically calculates my total spending, monthly average, and other summaries using formulas. This system helps me see where my money is going so I can cut unnecessary expenses.

However, it has some problems:

• I can only enter the amount—not the reason or date of the expense.
• Sometimes, I forget to update the sheet, leading to missing entries.

Building the Expense Tracker App #

I wanted an app that would let me log my expenses into different categories and update my Excel sheet automatically. After some trial and error, I successfully built one using AppSheet.

Here is how the app looks in mobile

Entered value is captured on a google sheet like this

Now, when I add a new expense, the app automatically:
✅ Updates the Excel sheet with the amount, date, and description.
✅ Attaches receipts or bills if needed.
✅ Generates reports in a format similar to my Excel sheet.

Automating My Expense Reports #

With the data collected, I created a pivot table to summarize my spending. Now, everything is automated, and I can easily track my expenses without extra effort.

How No-Code Changed My Perspective #

Before using AppSheet, I thought no-code tools were just simple templates with limited features. But I realized that most of the apps we use daily are just CRUD apps—and no-code makes it easier to create them.

No-code tools open up exciting possibilities:
🚀 Personalized apps for individuals and small groups.
🏢 Internal tools for companies to improve workflows.
⚡ Fast development without needing complex coding.

No-code platforms are easy to build, quick to launch, and simple to update—something that is much harder with traditional development. I now see them as a powerful way to create custom solutions without coding from scratch.