Airtable MCP Server by CData
@CDataSoftware
This project builds a read-only MCP server. For full read, write, update, delete, and action capabilities and a simplified setup, check out our free CData MCP Server for Airtable (beta): https://www.cdata.com/download/download.aspx?sku=JAZK-V&type=beta
Overview
What is Airtable MCP Server by CData?
A read-only MCP server that enables LLMs (such as Claude Desktop) to query live Airtable data using natural language. It wraps the CData JDBC Driver for Airtable, which exposes Airtable bases as relational SQL models, so no SQL knowledge is required from the user.
How to use Airtable MCP Server by CData?
Clone the repository, build with Maven (mvn clean install), install and license the CData JDBC Driver for Airtable, create a .prp file with connection details, then configure the client (e.g., Claude Desktop) to launch the JAR with the .prp file. The server runs via stdio.
Key features of Airtable MCP Server by CData
- Read‑only access to Airtable data for LLMs
- Powered by the CData JDBC Driver for Airtable
- Natural language querying – no SQL required
- Tools for listing tables, columns, and running SELECT queries
- Works with any MCP‑compatible client (e.g., Claude Desktop)
- MIT licensed (JDBC driver requires separate licensing)
Use cases of Airtable MCP Server by CData
- Ask an LLM “What are my top customers and their contact info?” from Airtable
- Analyze correlations between Airtable fields (e.g., opportunity stage vs. industry)
- Retrieve live calendar events or ticket counts without writing SQL
- Integrate Airtable data into AI‑powered conversational assistants
FAQ from Airtable MCP Server by CData
Is this server read‑only?
Yes. The project explicitly builds a read‑only MCP server. For full CRUD operations, CData offers a separate beta MCP Server.
What runtime dependencies are required?
Java (JDK), Maven, and the CData JDBC Driver for Airtable (which must be licensed, either with a trial or a purchased key).
What transport protocol does it use?
The server communicates over stdio only, so it must run on the same machine as the MCP client.
How do I configure the connection?
Create a .prp file containing the JDBC connection string (built via the driver’s GUI), the driver path, and a prefix/server name. Then point the client’s config file to the JAR and .prp file.
What tools does the server expose?
Three tools: {prefix}_get_tables, {prefix}_get_columns, and {prefix}_run_query (SELECT only). Output is in CSV format.
