# External Packages

> Part of the NocoDB documentation (Workflows > Scripts > API Reference). Index of all pages: https://nocodb.com/llms.txt. Any docs page is available as Markdown by adding `.md` to its URL.

URL: https://nocodb.com/docs/workflows/scripts/api-reference/external-packages
Last updated: 2026-09-25

Documentation for the external packages in NocoDB Scripts

NocoDB Scripts supports importing external JavaScript packages using **dynamic imports**, allowing you to leverage NPM libraries in your scripts.

### Which type of imports are supported?

Only dynamic imports using `import()` are supported. Static imports (`import ... from '...'`) will not work.

### Can I import any NPM package?

Not all packages will work.

✅ **Works:** Pure JavaScript/ESM libraries (e.g., lodash, dayjs, uuid, zod, axios).

❌ **Doesn't work:** Packages that require DOM (react-dom, jquery, chart.js) or Node.js APIs (fs, net, crypto Node module, express, sharp).

**Tip:** If it runs inside a Web Worker, it will usually work in NocoDB Scripts.

### Why do some packages fail in NocoDB Scripts?

Scripts run in a Web Worker sandbox. This environment:

* Has no DOM (`document`, `window`, `HTMLElement`).
* Has no Node APIs (`fs`, `process`, `child_process`, native addons).
* Disallows synchronous browser storage (`localStorage`, `document.cookie`).

### How do I import multiple packages?

Use separate dynamic imports:

```javascript
const _ = (await import('lodash')).default;
const dayjs = (await import('dayjs')).default;
```

### Do I need .default after import?

Many CDN-transpiled packages expose the default export at `.default`. If you see `undefined`, try:

```javascript
const dayjs = (await import('dayjs')).default;
```

### How do I pin a specific package version?

Include a version or semver tag in the CDN URL to avoid breaking changes.

```javascript
const _ = (await import('https://esm.sh/lodash@4.17.21')).default;
```

### Common gotchas & troubleshooting

* **Named vs default exports:** Check the package's docs; you might need named imports:
  ```javascript
  const { nanoid } = await import('nanoid');
  const { z } = await import('zod');
  ```
* **Tree-shaking:** Import subpaths when available for smaller bundles (e.g., lodash-es functions).

### Examples that work well

* lodash / lodash-es
* dayjs
* zod
* uuid
* axios (uses fetch in browsers)

### Examples that won't work

* react-dom, jquery, chart.js, leaflet (DOM-bound)
* express, fs-extra, sharp, sqlite3 (Node-only)
* js-cookie (needs document.cookie)

### Security considerations

* Prefer pinned versions.
* Review package reputation; avoid importing untrusted code at runtime.
* Validate and sanitize any data flowing into third‑party libs.

### Example: Full flow

```javascript
// Load external libs
const _ = (await import('https://esm.sh/lodash@4.17.21')).default;
const dayjs = (await import('https://esm.sh/dayjs@1')).default;

// Query data
const customers = base.getTable('Customers');
const recordQueryResult = await customers.selectRecordsAsync();

// Group and format
const groupedByStatus = _.groupBy(recordQueryResult.records, r => r.getCellValue('Status'));
for (const [status, customers] of Object.entries(groupedByStatus)) {
  output.text(`${status}: ${recordQueryResult.records.length} customers`);
}
output.text(`Report generated on: ${dayjs().format('MMMM D, YYYY')}`);
```

## Good to know

* External packages are only available in browser environment and does not work in Webhook Scripts.
* **Important:** Only dynamic imports using `import()` are supported. Static imports (e.g., `import _ from 'lodash'`) are not supported.

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## Related pages

- [Base](https://nocodb.com/docs/workflows/scripts/api-reference/base.md): Documentation for the base object in NocoDB Scripts
- [Cursor](https://nocodb.com/docs/workflows/scripts/api-reference/cursor.md): Documentation for the Cursor object in NocoDB Scripts
- [Table](https://nocodb.com/docs/workflows/scripts/api-reference/table.md): Documentation for the Table object in NocoDB Scripts
- [View](https://nocodb.com/docs/workflows/scripts/api-reference/view.md): Documentation for the View object in NocoDB Scripts
- [Field](https://nocodb.com/docs/workflows/scripts/api-reference/field.md): Documentation for the Field object and Field Types in NocoDB Scripts
- [RecordQueryResult](https://nocodb.com/docs/workflows/scripts/api-reference/record-query-result.md): Documentation for the RecordQueryResult object in NocoDB Scripts
- [Record](https://nocodb.com/docs/workflows/scripts/api-reference/record.md): Documentation for the NocoDBRecord object in NocoDB Scripts
- [Session](https://nocodb.com/docs/workflows/scripts/api-reference/session.md): Documentation for the Session object in NocoDB Scripts