TL;DR Short answer: Smartsheet ETL tools move sheet rows, columns and metadata out of Smartsheet and into a warehouse or database, so project and operations data can be analysed alongside the rest of the business. Airbyte syncs sheets with incremental support, Fivetran offers a Smartsheet connector in private preview plus a connector for Resource Management by Smartsheet, and CData Sync, Skyvia, Portable and Coupler.io provide managed alternatives. Smartsheet's own API, webhooks, Data Shuttle and Live Data Connector cover native exports. Seven Smartsheet ETL tools compared:
Airbyte Fivetran CData Sync Skyvia Portable Coupler.io dlt The Smartsheet constraint: sheets are designed by people, so a renamed column or changed column type can break a pipeline, and most tools load columns as text, so agree on stable column names with sheet owners and cast types in the warehouse. Smartsheet ETL tools extract data from Smartsheet, the spreadsheet-style work management platform used for project plans, trackers, intake forms and operational logs, and load it into a warehouse or database. Because teams often run critical processes in Smartsheet, analysts need that data next to CRM, finance and engineering data to report on delivery, budgets and capacity. For other spreadsheet sources, see our guide to Google Sheets ETL tools .
Smartsheet stores work in sheets, which look like spreadsheets but behave like lightweight databases. Smartsheet ETL tools work with some or all of these objects:
Sheets, rows and columns: the core data, with column types such as text, date, contact, dropdown, checkbox and predecessor.Row metadata: row IDs, parent rows in hierarchies, created and modified timestamps and users.Reports and dashboards: reports that combine rows from many sheets, and dashboard widgets.Workspaces and folders: the structure that organises sheets and controls sharing.Attachments and discussions: files and comments attached to sheets and rows.Users and groups: account members and sharing permissions.How does the Smartsheet API work for data pipelines? The Smartsheet API is the foundation every Smartsheet ETL tool builds on:
Authentication: use an API access token generated under Apps and Integrations, or OAuth for applications acting for other users.Sheet IDs: each sheet has a numeric ID found under File and Properties, not in the browser URL.Rate limits: requests are limited to 300 a minute per access token, so pipelines that read many sheets should pace requests.Incremental reads: rows carry modified timestamps, which pipelines use to load only changed rows.Deletes: incremental syncs generally do not capture deleted rows, so reconcile with periodic full loads.SDKs: official SDKs for Python, Java, C# and Node.js wrap authentication and pagination.For other API pipelines, see our guide to REST API ETL tools .
How do the Smartsheet ETL tools compare? Tool Approach Sheets per connection Best for Cost Airbyte Open-source ELT connector One sheet per source Smartsheet next to other sources in your own warehouse Free self-hosted Core; paid Cloud plans Fivetran Managed connector (private preview) All readable sheets Teams already standardised on Fivetran Usage-based pricing CData Sync Replication tool Many sheets as SQL tables Teams already using CData Subscription pricing Skyvia No-code cloud platform Many sheets and objects Replication plus import and sync Free tier, then paid plans Portable Managed long-tail ELT Many sheets Hands-off pipelines to major warehouses Flat pricing per connector Coupler.io No-code scheduled imports Sheets you select BigQuery and spreadsheet reporting Free tier, then paid plans dlt Python library Any, in code Python teams building pipelines Free, open source
Which Smartsheet ETL tools should you consider? Seven Smartsheet ETL tools, from open-source to fully managed:
1. Airbyte Airbyte is the open-source data connectivity platform for AI and analytics, and among Smartsheet ETL tools it offers a dedicated Smartsheets connector. Each source syncs one sheet as a stream with a schema generated from its columns, using an API access token or OAuth, with full refresh or incremental syncs on the modified timestamp, and optional sheet and row metadata fields. For other ELT options, see our guide to ELT tools .
To sync several sheets, create one source per sheet and reuse the same token. Date and datetime columns are typed, while other columns arrive as strings to cast in the warehouse, and column headers must use only letters, digits and underscores. Airbyte runs in Airbyte Cloud, in your own environment with Airbyte Flex, or self-hosted with Airbyte Core.
Key features Dynamic schema: one stream per sheet, built from its columns.Incremental modes: append or deduplicated syncs on modified rows.Metadata fields: sheet and row IDs, versions and modified details.Any destination: Snowflake, BigQuery, Databricks, Redshift, Postgres and more.Best for: teams that want key Smartsheet sheets in their own warehouse next to other sources.
Pricing: self-hosted Airbyte Core is free; Airbyte Cloud is billed on volume, and Pro and Airbyte Flex on capacity.
Pros Cons Incremental syncs on modified rows One sheet per source Sheet and row metadata available Most columns arrive as strings Cloud, Flex or self-hosted Core Column headers must be alphanumeric with underscores
2. Fivetran Fivetran's Smartsheet connector, currently in private preview, syncs every sheet the connected user can read, discovers new sheets, rows and columns on each incremental sync, and lets you exclude workspaces, sheets or columns. It treats all columns as strings and does not capture deleted rows. Fivetran also offers a separate connector for Resource Management by Smartsheet. For an open-source alternative, see our guide to Fivetran competitors .
Key features Account-wide sync: every sheet with read permission.Incremental updates: new and changed rows on each sync.Exclusions: skip workspaces, sheets or columns.Resource Management connector: a separate connector for Resource Management by Smartsheet.Best for: teams already running Fivetran who want many sheets in one connector.
Pricing: usage-based pricing on monthly active rows; check current plans.
Pros Cons Syncs all readable sheets in one connector Smartsheet connector is in private preview Discovers new sheets and columns automatically All columns load as strings Exclude workspaces, sheets and columns Deleted rows and columns are not captured
3. CData Sync CData Sync models Smartsheet as a relational database with a dynamic schema, so sheets become tables alongside information tables for attachments, discussions and comments, and replicates them to databases, data lakes and warehouses on a schedule. It supports OAuth and runs in the cloud or on your own servers. For relational destinations, see our guide to PostgreSQL ETL tools .
Key features Dynamic data model: each sheet becomes a table.Information tables: attachments, discussions and comments.Scheduled replication: to databases, lakes and warehouses.Deployment options: cloud or on-premises.Best for: teams already using CData for other sources.
Pricing: subscription pricing; check current plans.
Pros Cons Sheets exposed as SQL tables Subscription pricing Includes attachments and discussions Another vendor to manage Cloud or self-hosted deployment Some columns need extra requests per row
4. Skyvia Skyvia is one of the no-code Smartsheet ETL tools: a cloud platform that replicates Smartsheet data into relational databases and warehouses, imports data into Smartsheet, exports sheets to CSV, and synchronises Smartsheet with other apps. Its Typed Sheet Cells option lets you define column types in the connector, which reduces casting work after loading.
Key features Replication: load Smartsheet data into databases and warehouses.Import and export: move data into Smartsheet or out to CSV.Synchronisation: keep Smartsheet and other apps aligned.Query: run SQL against Smartsheet from the browser.Best for: teams that want replication and two-way workflows without code.
Pricing: a free tier, then paid plans; check current pricing.
Pros Cons Replication, import, export and sync in one tool Smartsheet backup is not supported Typed Sheet Cells option for column types Limits on the free tier Automatic schema creation in the destination Fewer engineering controls than code tools
5. Portable Portable is a managed ELT service focused on long-tail sources, with a prebuilt Smartsheet connector that loads into Snowflake, BigQuery, Redshift and PostgreSQL. Portable builds and maintains connectors itself and adds endpoints on request, which suits teams that want hands-off pipelines. For Snowflake loading, see our guide to Snowflake ETL tools .
Key features Prebuilt connector: Smartsheet to major warehouses.Managed maintenance: Portable handles API changes.Scheduling: hourly or daily syncs.Custom endpoints: new fields added on request.Best for: teams that want a hands-off Smartsheet pipeline.
Pricing: flat pricing per connector; check current plans.
Pros Cons Fully managed connector Fewer destinations than larger platforms Vendor adds endpoints on request Cloud-only service Predictable pricing Less control over extraction logic
6. Coupler.io Coupler.io is the analyst-friendly option among Smartsheet ETL tools: it loads Smartsheet data into BigQuery, Google Sheets, Excel and other destinations on a schedule, with options to preview, filter and transform data and to merge it with other sources before loading. It suits analysts building reports rather than engineering-managed pipelines.
Key features Destinations: BigQuery, Google Sheets, Excel and more.Transformations: filter, sort and merge data before loading.Schedules: refresh data automatically.Multiple sources: combine Smartsheet with other apps.Best for: analysts building reports in BigQuery or spreadsheets.
Pricing: a free tier for small volumes, then paid plans; check current pricing.
Pros Cons No-code setup in minutes Not built for very large volumes Preview, filter and transform before loading Fewer warehouse destinations Combine with other sources Scheduling limits on lower plans
7. dlt dlt is one of the code-first Smartsheet ETL tools: an open-source Python library whose REST API source can authenticate with a Smartsheet token, read sheets and reports, and load the results into DuckDB, BigQuery, Snowflake or Postgres, merging rows on row ID so edits replace earlier versions. For more code-first options, see our guide to Python ETL tools .
Key features Declarative REST source: endpoints, authentication and paging are configuration.Incremental: load only rows modified since the last run.Schema evolution: new columns are added automatically.Many destinations: DuckDB locally, warehouses in production.Best for: Python teams syncing many Smartsheet sheets in code.
Pricing: free and open source under the Apache 2.0 licence; you pay for where it runs.
Pros Cons Many sheets in one pipeline You write and schedule the pipeline Merge on row ID Requires Python skills Free and open source Rate limits are yours to handle
What native export options does Smartsheet offer? Alongside third-party Smartsheet ETL tools, Smartsheet has several built-in routes, each suited to a different need:
Export to Excel or CSV: the File menu exports a single sheet once, which suits one-off analysis.Data Shuttle: a Smartsheet add-on that schedules exports and imports of CSV and Excel files without code.Live Data Connector: an ODBC driver add-on that lets Power BI, Tableau and Excel query sheets and reports directly.Bridge: a Smartsheet add-on for workflow automation between Smartsheet and other systems.API and webhooks: the REST API reads sheets and reports, and webhooks report which rows changed so a pipeline can fetch them.Choosing a route: use exports for files, the Live Data Connector for simple dashboards, and an ETL tool when Smartsheet data must be joined with other systems.For loading Excel files into databases, see our guide to Excel ETL tools .
Smartsheet vs monday.com: what changes for your data? Teams comparing Smartsheet with monday.com and similar tools should weigh how each one's data reaches a warehouse:
Smartsheet: spreadsheet-style sheets with strong project features, a rich API, and add-ons for exports and BI connections.monday.com: board-based work management with a GraphQL API and broad connector support.Airtable: database-style bases with typed fields, which map more cleanly to warehouse tables.Asana and Jira: task-centric tools with project and issue data rather than free-form sheets.Data continuity: whichever you use, keep history in a warehouse so reporting survives tool changes.For a board-based alternative, see our guide to monday.com ETL tools .
What should you check before syncing Smartsheet data? Whichever Smartsheet ETL tools you choose, check these first:
Column stability: agree with sheet owners that renaming or deleting columns can break pipelines.Header names: use letters, digits and underscores in column headers for connectors that require them.Types: cast text columns to numbers, booleans and dates in the warehouse.Hierarchy: keep parent row IDs if sheets use indented rows for tasks and subtasks.Rate limits: pace requests when syncing many sheets with one token.Personal data: contact columns and comments may include personal data, so limit fields and restrict access.How do you start pulling Smartsheet data with Airbyte? If you decide to test Airbyte, setting up a Smartsheet pipeline takes three steps.
Step 1: Get an access token and sheet ID In Smartsheet, open Account, then Apps and Integrations, then API Access, and generate a token. Find the sheet ID under File and then Properties.
Step 2: Set up Smartsheets as a source In Airbyte, open Sources, choose New source, select Smartsheets and enter the token or OAuth credentials, the sheet ID and a start date. Add one source per sheet.
Step 3: Set up a destination and connection Pick a destination, such as Snowflake, BigQuery or Postgres, choose an incremental sync mode and schedule syncs. The process is the same whether you start with Airbyte Cloud or run self-hosted Airbyte Core .
Which Smartsheet ETL tool should you choose? Choosing between Smartsheet ETL tools depends on how many sheets you need and how much you want managed. For key sheets in your own warehouse next to other sources, use Airbyte. If you already run Fivetran and accept a preview connector, it syncs all readable sheets at once. CData Sync and Skyvia suit teams that want SQL-style access and two-way workflows, Portable suits hands-off pipelines, Coupler.io suits analyst reporting, and dlt suits code-first teams. For more spreadsheet sources, see our guide to Airtable ETL tools .
Load Smartsheet data with Airbyte Sync Smartsheet sheets into the same warehouse as your CRM, finance and engineering data with Airbyte, in Airbyte Cloud, in your own environment with Airbyte Flex, or self-hosted with Airbyte Core.
Try Airbyte Cloud free for 14 days or talk to our team .
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 1. What are the best Smartsheet ETL tools? Airbyte, Fivetran, CData Sync, Skyvia, Portable, Coupler.io and dlt all load Smartsheet data into databases or warehouses. Fivetran's Smartsheet connector is in private preview, and Smartsheet's own Data Shuttle and Live Data Connector cover native exports and BI access.
2. Does Fivetran have a Smartsheet connector? Yes. Fivetran's Smartsheet connector is in private preview and syncs every sheet you can read, loading all columns as strings. Fivetran also has a separate connector for Resource Management by Smartsheet.
3. Does Airbyte support Smartsheet? Yes. Airbyte's Smartsheets source syncs one sheet per source with full refresh or incremental modes, using an API access token or OAuth, plus optional sheet and row metadata.
4. How do I find a Smartsheet sheet ID? Open the sheet in Smartsheet and go to File and then Properties. The sheet ID is not shown in the browser URL.
5. What is the Smartsheet API rate limit? The Smartsheet API allows 300 requests a minute per access token, so pipelines that read many sheets should pace their requests.
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