How to Fetch Data from an External API in Airtable

This guide shows you how to fetch data from an external API in Airtable using the Data Fetcher extension. You'll learn to connect to REST APIs, import external data directly into your Airtable base, and map API response data to your Airtable fields.

What is an External API in Airtable?

An external API (Application Programming Interface) allows Airtable to connect with other web services and pull data directly into your base without manual entry. For example, you could connect to a weather API to import temperature data or a shipping API to track package status.

Can Airtable Pull Data from an API?

Yes, through extensions like Data Fetcher, which connects your base to external data sources for real-time synchronization.

This is valuable for importing customer data from CRMs, product information from e-commerce platforms, analytics from marketing tools, and inventory data from management systems.

In this tutorial, we'll use the REST Countries API to demonstrate how to pull API data into Airtable cells, importing country names, flags, regions, and population data.

Data Fetcher supports both REST and GraphQL APIs, giving you flexibility to connect with modern web services that use either standard.

Installing Data Fetcher

1. Add the Data Fetcher extension to your Airtable base.

2. Enter a password and sign up for a free Data Fetcher account, or sign in with Google.

3. Once you've signed up for Data Fetcher, click Create your first request to begin setting up your API connection.

How to Connect to an External API in Airtable

Follow these steps to configure your API request and import data from the REST Countries API:

1. Under Application, select Custom.

2. Give your request a name, like "Fetch API data".

3. Enter the URL for your API endpoint. For this example, we will use the following URL:

https://restcountries.com/v3.1/all

Configuring API Parameters and Authentication

Many APIs require additional configuration beyond the basic URL. Data Fetcher lets you customize:

• Parameters: Add query parameters to filter or modify the API response.
• Authorization: Configure authentication if the API requires API keys, tokens, or other credentials.
• Headers: Add custom HTTP headers required by some APIs.

For the REST Countries API, we only need parameters to filter the response data.

4. Click + Add under Parameters.

5. Enter fields under Parameter, then name,flags,region,population under Value.

6. Click Save and Run in the bottom right corner.

Mapping API Response Fields to Airtable Columns

After running the request, Data Fetcher shows the Response Field Mapping screen where you select which API data to import into your Airtable base.

Optional: To view the response from the API, click the right arrow (→) in the top left to open the settings sidebar.

Then click Response preview, and Expand to see the actual response JSON.

The REST Countries API returns multiple name and flag formats. We'll select only the fields we need:

1. Click Deselect All.

2. Select and map these fields:

• Name common → Existing field Name
• Flags png → New field Flag
• Region → New field Region (set type to Single select)
• Population → New field Population

3. Click Save and Run.

Your country data now appears in Airtable with organized columns and proper field types.

Conclusion

You've successfully connected an external API to Airtable and imported structured data automatically. This same process works with any REST or GraphQL API that returns JSON data, enabling you to automate data imports from business applications, analytics platforms, and external services.

What you accomplished:

• Installed and configured the Data Fetcher extension.
• Connected to an external API with custom parameters.
• Mapped API response fields to Airtable fields.
• Imported structured data with proper field formatting.

Whether you're syncing CRM data, e-commerce metrics, or real-time information, you can now eliminate manual data entry and keep your Airtable bases updated automatically.

Next Steps: Advanced API Integration Features

Now that you've connected your first external API, explore these advanced Data Fetcher features:

Automate Your Data Imports

Set up automatic scheduling to sync your API data at regular intervals without manual updates. Choose from minute, hourly, daily, or monthly sync frequencies.

Handle Large Datasets

Configure pagination for APIs that limit response sizes. Data Fetcher automatically makes multiple requests to import complete datasets.

Use Dynamic API Calls

Reference existing table data in your API requests to create dynamic calls based on records in your Airtable base.

Pre-built Integrations

Skip custom API configuration with ready-made connectors:

• OpenAI Integration: Generate content and analyze text using GPT models.
• Google Sheets Integration: Sync spreadsheet data directly.
• Facebook Ads Integration: Import campaign metrics.
• Google Analytics Integration: Fetch website traffic metrics.

View all pre-built Airtable integrations for social media, marketing, and business applications.