What Excel formats does Arctory support for app generation?

Arctory accepts standard .xlsx workbooks, including multi-sheet files, merged cells, and most common formulas. Macros (.xlsm) are read for structure but not executed inside the generated app.

Does Arctory keep my original Excel data when it generates the app?

Yes. Every row from the uploaded workbook is imported into the generated app's database. Nothing is summarised away or discarded. The original file stays on your machine; Arctory uses a copy to build the app.

Who can edit the generated app after Arctory creates it?

By default the user who uploaded the workbook becomes the app owner. They can invite teammates and assign granular roles, for example read-only operator, editor, or administrator. All edits respect the role configuration and are logged.

Can I change the app after it has been generated?

Yes. The whole point of Arctory is that changes happen in natural language. You can ask the AI agents to add columns, change validation rules, add notifications, or restructure the data model, and the changes ship without redeploying anything.

Is the generated app secure enough for manufacturing data?

Yes. Generated apps run on the same Arctory platform that hosts the rest of your tenant. They inherit single sign-on, granular roles, data isolation, audit logs, and the security posture described on the Arctory security page.

How long does it take to go from Excel file to working app?

For a typical shopfloor workbook with a few sheets and a few thousand rows, the generated app is ready to use in under a minute. Complex workbooks take a little longer but still finish in minutes rather than hours.

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Build an Arctory app from an Excel file

App building

Build an Arctory app from an Excel file

Name: Build an Arctory app from an Excel file
Uploaded: 2026-05-16
Duration: 30 s
Description: Upload an existing Excel workbook and Arctory's AI agents generate a structured, multi-user shopfloor app that preserves your data and replaces the spreadsheet in minutes, without writing code.

Upload an existing Excel workbook and Arctory's AI agents generate a structured, multi-user shopfloor app that preserves your data and replaces the spreadsheet in minutes, without writing code.

Use case: Replace fragile shopfloor Excel files with governed, multi-user apps without rebuilding them from scratch.

Published: 2026-05-16

Video length: 30 sec

Build an Arctory app from an Excel file. Upload an existing Excel workbook and Arctory's AI agents generate a structured, multi-user shopfloor app that preserves your data and replaces the spreadsheet in minutes, without writing code.

What this is

Most shopfloors run on Excel files no one wants to maintain. Arctory turns those files into governed, multi-user apps automatically. You upload your workbook, the AI agents read the structure, generate the data model, and ship a working app with proper roles, audit trails, and an interface that fits how the team actually works.

How it works

Step 1. Upload your existing Excel workbook. Drag the .xlsx file into Arctory's upload area. Multi-sheet workbooks, merged cells, and formulas are all supported.
Step 2. Arctory's AI agents read the structure. The agents detect columns, infer data types, find primary keys, and map the relationships between sheets so the resulting data model matches your real workflow.
Step 3. A working app is generated. Arctory scaffolds tables, forms, lists, filters, and default roles. Your existing data is imported in full, with nothing lost or flattened.
Step 4. Iterate in natural language. Describe changes in plain English or German ("add a status column", "send a notification when quantity drops below ten") and the agents apply them to the live app.
Step 5. Roll out to the team. Granular roles, single sign-on, and audit logs are in place from the first version, so the app can leave the laptop and run on the shopfloor straight away.

What you see in the video

The video shows the full flow end to end. A user drops an Excel workbook with maintenance records into the Arctory upload area. Within a few seconds Arctory analyses the sheet structure, detects the columns, and proposes a matching app layout. The generated app appears in the browser with the imported data already populated, the columns mapped to the right field types, and a clean list and detail view. The user then types a short natural language instruction to add a new field, and the app updates live without leaving the screen. The whole sequence is meant to demonstrate that going from a brittle local spreadsheet to a real multi-user app on Arctory takes minutes, not weeks, and does not require a developer or an external IT project.

When to use this

An Excel file has outgrown its original purpose and is now used by several people who keep overwriting each other.
A team wants a real app for a shopfloor process but the IT roadmap is full and external development is too slow.
A quality, maintenance, or production process is tracked in Excel and needs an audit trail, roles, and history.
A workshop or pilot needs a working app the same day to be useful for evaluation.

Frequently asked questions

What Excel formats does Arctory support for app generation?: Arctory accepts standard .xlsx workbooks, including multi-sheet files, merged cells, and most common formulas. Macros (.xlsm) are read for structure but not executed inside the generated app.
Does Arctory keep my original Excel data when it generates the app?: Yes. Every row from the uploaded workbook is imported into the generated app's database. Nothing is summarised away or discarded. The original file stays on your machine; Arctory uses a copy to build the app.
Who can edit the generated app after Arctory creates it?: By default the user who uploaded the workbook becomes the app owner. They can invite teammates and assign granular roles, for example read-only operator, editor, or administrator. All edits respect the role configuration and are logged.
Can I change the app after it has been generated?: Yes. The whole point of Arctory is that changes happen in natural language. You can ask the AI agents to add columns, change validation rules, add notifications, or restructure the data model, and the changes ship without redeploying anything.
Is the generated app secure enough for manufacturing data?: Yes. Generated apps run on the same Arctory platform that hosts the rest of your tenant. They inherit single sign-on, granular roles, data isolation, audit logs, and the security posture described on the Arctory security page.
How long does it take to go from Excel file to working app?: For a typical shopfloor workbook with a few sheets and a few thousand rows, the generated app is ready to use in under a minute. Complex workbooks take a little longer but still finish in minutes rather than hours.

Tags: Excel import, App generation, Shopfloor digitisation, Vibe coding, AI agents

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