Retrosheet — Google Sheets as a Backend
🧠 content
Retrosheet is a Kotlin Multiplatform library that converts Google Sheets or Google Forms into JSON API endpoints.
In short, you can use Google Sheets as a lightweight backend without building or maintaining a server.
Perfect for:
- POCs / MVPs
- Internal tools
- Prototypes
- Dashboards / Admin panels
- Quick data-driven apps
Core idea
- Use Google Sheets as your database
- Fetch data via HTTP
- Receive JSON like a normal REST API
Key benefits
- No backend server required
- Very fast setup
- No hosting/infra maintenance
- Works on Android / iOS / JVM / JS
- Simple CRUD with annotations like @Read @Write @Update
Typical workflow
- Create a Google Sheet or Form
- Make it public
- Configure Retrosheet
- Fetch data using an HTTP client (Ktor/Ktorfit)
- Get JSON instantly
Best for
✅ Rapid prototyping
✅ Client demos
✅ Lightweight CMS/config
✅ Internal apps
Not ideal for
❌ Large-scale production
❌ High security requirements
❌ Heavy performance workloads
Quick takeaway:
Need a backend in minutes? Use Retrosheet + Google Sheets.
🏷️ tags
google-sheets, json-api, serverless-backend, kotlin, multiplatform, poc, mvp, internal-tools
