Columns

The fastest way to visualize and share data stories

4.1

Data & AnalyticsFreemium

Editorial Review

Columns positions itself as 'Canva for data' — and largely delivers on that promise. The platform makes data visualization accessible to non-technical users through an intuitive drag-and-drop interface, AI-powered chart recommendations, and a conversational AI that helps extract insights from connected data sources. The breadth of data source support is a key strength. Columns connects to Google Sheets, Airtable, Notion, SQL databases, REST APIs, and standard file formats, making it easy to pull in data from wherever your team stores it. Real-time collaboration means multiple team members can work on the same visualization simultaneously, and custom branding options ensure outputs align with company guidelines. The Magic Vizion browser extension is a clever differentiator, allowing users to transform any web content into interactive data visualizations directly from Chrome. Pricing starts at $15/user/month after a free tier, with enterprise options available for larger organizations. The AI chat feature that learns preferences over time makes it increasingly useful the more you use it.

Pros

Extremely intuitive interface accessible to non-technical users

Wide range of data source integrations

Real-time collaboration capabilities

AI chat that learns user preferences over time

Key Features

AI-powered visualization recommendationsDrag-and-drop chart builderReal-time collaborationCustom branding (fonts, colors, sizing)Multiple data source connectorsAI chat for data explorationMagic Vizion browser extensionEmbeddable visualizationsData catalog managementConversation history with learning preferences

About Columns

Columns is an AI-powered data visualization platform often described as 'Canva for data.' It enables users to create compelling, shareable data stories through an intuitive drag-and-drop interface and AI chat, connecting to multiple data sources including Google Sheets, Airtable, Notion, CSV files, REST APIs, and SQL databases for unified visualization and real-time collaboration.