We’re closing out our Women’s Month spotlight series today with one final feature. Before we jump in, a quick thank-you to all the incredible women who took the time to share their stories, workflows, and perspectives with the community this month 
Over the course of this series, we’ve seen Coda used in so many different ways: from building businesses and producing indie films to organizing everyday life (and yes, even tracking candle collections), and it’s been incredible to see that range come to life.
For our final spotlight, we’re excited to introduce @Maja_Overgard
A builder who uses Coda to turn ideas into fully functioning systems, from internal tools to complex business backbones. In this spotlight, Maja shares how she’s used Coda to prototype and validate real-world solutions, the formula mindset that helped everything click, and the practical systems she uses to keep even complex builds structured and scalable, all while being the kind of person who unwinds by following her hometown football club in Denmark and spending time in the forest.
Let’s get into it:
1. What drew you to Coda, and how has your use of it changed over time?
I was looking for a tool to build internal tools for companies. Over time, I’ve used Coda for so many different things, but all of them come down to two things: Coda’s ability to do data modelling and formulas.
2. What’s a doc or project you’re really proud of that you built with Coda?
I’ve built so many Docs for clients, my current freelance business, and companies I’ve worked with. But my two highlights are:
- The backbone of a building company: It basically became a fairly complex ERP system to run the business. Everything from sales on the ground to project management and vendor collaboration. It’s still used today by the building company.
- A supply chain compliance tool: This was a solution to test out a startup idea. We built it out and successfully tested it with 5 clients. Now the Coda Doc is scratched, and the solution is built in code for a scalable SaaS solution. Without the test in Coda, it probably would still just have lived as an idea on a piece of paper.
3. Was there a specific “aha” moment where Coda really clicked for you?
In the beginning, I struggled a bit seeing the difference between Notion and Coda. But when I fully understood the formulas, especially the FormulaMap (now: ForEach) formula, I was sold. I’ve always explained Coda as “Excel with some Docs around it,” whereas Notion is “Docs with a bit of Excel inside”. It’s grossly underselling both tools, but it’s become a useful way for my clients to understand the difference.
4. Do you have a favorite Coda trick, formula, workflow, or small build you love sharing with others?
My best hack is to structure my tables into database tables and master tables. All database tables are named starting with DB_, and master tables are named starting with Master_. Makes it much easier and faster to develop.
5. What’s a tool, habit, or ritual that keeps you grounded when things get overwhelming?
To go out in nature. I live in Denmark with a National Park in my backyard and the ocean just around the corner. Whether it’s going out for a hike, going mountainbiking, or surfing, being outside always gets me grounded.
6. When you start building something new, are you more structure-first or chaos-first?
Chaos the first 5%, and then comes structure right after that. I like to get my hands dirty immediately and get the first rough edges built. Then I know my data model and how to build the UX. However, structure is right behind the chaos, e.g., in consistent table naming.
7. What do you do outside of work that people might not expect?
Of unexpected things? Definitely that I love to watch football. I always follow my hometown’s local football club either on TV or at the stadium. That’s always a big surprise to people.
8. Finish this sentence: “I build because ______.”
It’s way more fun to make the ideas happen than just draw or write them in a PowerPoint. Also, with Coda it is often easier and faster to just build than explain a client what the solution will be or look like.
A big thank you to @Maja_Overgard for closing out this month’s spotlight series with us.
And again, to all of the women who participated throughout March, it’s been a joy to highlight each of you. If anyone missed earlier features, please check out previous Women’s Month spotlights on Mel Teh, Kayla Taras, Elise Reichardt, Shannon Bradley, and Karina Mikhli 