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How to collect data with Google Sheets in Chatbots

Updated over a week ago

Summary

The Wati Google Sheets Integration is a smart automation tool that connects your WhatsApp conversations in Wati with your data management in Google Sheets. It removes the need for manual data entry, minimizing errors and saving time by automatically transferring structured data from your chat flows to your chosen spreadsheet.

This integration is ideal for lead generation, customer support, surveys, and order management, turning interactive WhatsApp conversations into organized, actionable data.

This feature is part of the advanced chatbot capabilities and is available for customers on Wati’s Pro and Business plans.

Instructions

How it works

1. Connect your Google Sheet

In the Wati Flow Builder, link your Google account and choose the spreadsheet and worksheet where you want to send data. Map your conversation variables (e.g., @name, @email, @selected_option) to the corresponding columns in your sheet.

2. Design interactive chat flows

Use Wati’s tools - such as buttons, quick replies, and question blocks—to collect information from users during conversations.

3. Automate data export

Trigger the integration at any point in your flow, such as after a user submits a form or makes a selection. Wati automatically adds the collected data as a new row in your configured Google Sheet, aligning each response with the correct column.

4. Manage and analyze your data

Your connected Google Sheet serves as a live database of all collected information. Use it to analyze responses, segment leads, trigger follow-up actions, or share reports instantly with your team.

Key features

  • Bi-directional sync – Export data from Wati or fetch data from Sheets to personalize conversations.

  • Dynamic data mapping – Map Wati variables (e.g., @name, @product_interest) to specific columns or cells in your sheet.

  • Real-time updates – Automatically capture new entries as users interact with your WhatsApp number.

  • Flexible triggers – Decide when data should be sent - after a button click, form submission, or any other step.

  • Simple authentication – Securely connect multiple Google accounts to manage Sheets across different domains or clients.

Use cases

  • Lead generation – Collect user details (name, contact info, preferences) and add them to a “Leads” spreadsheet automatically.

  • Customer support – Capture support requests from chat and log them as tickets in a Sheet for easy tracking.

  • Order and booking management – Record order details (product, quantity, customer address) directly in your management sheet.

  • Surveys and feedback – Gather responses from polls or surveys and centralize them for analysis in real time.

Why use this feature?

This feature is especially beneficial for:

  • Small businesses that don’t have the budget for a complete Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system.

  • Teams that spend significant time on manual data entry.

  • Organizations aiming to streamline data collection and reduce operational costs.

How to Connect a Chatbot to Google Spreadsheets

Follow these steps to link your Wati chatbot with Google Spreadsheets:

  • Add the Google Spreadsheet Node

    • Open your chatbot in Wati’s chatbot builder.

    • Click on the Google Spreadsheet node icon from the left panel to add it to the chatbot flow.

  • Configure the Google Spreadsheet Node

  • Click the ⋮ (three-dot) menu on the node and select Edit.

  • Connect your Google account.

  • Choose the Google Spreadsheet where the data should be stored.

  • Select the specific sheet within the spreadsheet where the data should be saved.

  • Set Up Data Insertion Options You have two options for adding data:

  • Insert a New Row: Use this option to add each new data entry as a separate row. You can specify variables that will be stored in columns, ensuring they match the variables defined in your chatbot.

  • Update an Existing Row: Use this if data already exists in the sheet. Define a reference column (an existing column in the spreadsheet), and specify the values to be updated.

Example Configuration

Suppose you have a spreadsheet with a column named Equipment and want to update it dynamically:

  • Set the reference column to “Equipment.”

  • Define what should be updated when a user provides new input.

  • Example: If the spreadsheet contains “No Equipment,” any new responses received via the chatbot will replace this value with the updated information.

Save Your Settings Once all fields are configured, click Save to finalize the setup.

How does it work?

When users interact with the chatbot, their responses to buttons or list nodes are automatically collected and stored in Google Spreadsheets. The chatbot’s @value settings ensure that the data aligns correctly with the spreadsheet columns.

Example of a working Chatbot

  • A Buttons node is used to collect data.

  • The value field in the node is set to @equipment.

  • The Google Spreadsheet node captures this value and updates the spreadsheet accordingly.

Testing Your Setup

To test if the integration is working correctly:

  • Send the chatbot to a user through Team Inbox.

  • Set up an automation keyword to trigger the chatbot when a specific phrase is used.

    • Example: If a user types, “I need help with my equipment,” the keyword equipment triggers the chatbot.

  • The data will be automatically recorded in the selected Google Spreadsheet.

  • You can share the spreadsheet with your team for real-time access. With this setup, your team can seamlessly collect, store, and access customer data without manual input, improving efficiency and data accuracy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

General questions

1. What is the Wati Google Sheets integration?

The Wati Google Sheets Integration is an automation tool that connects your WhatsApp conversations in Wati with your Google Sheets. It eliminates manual data entry by automatically transferring structured data from your chat flows to a chosen spreadsheet.

2. Who can benefit from using this integration?

This integration is ideal for small businesses, support teams, and organizations that want to streamline data collection, reduce manual work, and manage leads, orders, surveys, or customer requests efficiently.

3. Is the Google Sheets integration included in the regular Wati plan?

No. The Google Sheets integration is an add-on feature and is billed separately from the regular Wati plan.

Setup and configuration

4. How do I connect my chatbot to Google Sheets?

To connect your chatbot:

  • Open your chatbot in Wati’s chatbot builder.

  • Add the Google Spreadsheet node from the left panel.

  • Click the three-dot menu on the node and select Edit.

  • Connect your Google account and choose the spreadsheet and sheet where the data should be stored.

  • Map your Wati variables (like @name or @email) to the corresponding spreadsheet columns.

  • Save your settings.

5. What are the data insertion options available?

You can choose between two options:

  • Insert a new row: Adds each new data entry as a separate row in the spreadsheet.

  • Update an existing row: Modifies existing data based on a reference column, such as updating an “Equipment” column when new user input is received.

6. Can I connect multiple Google accounts?

Yes. You can securely connect multiple Google accounts to manage Sheets across different domains or clients.

Features and functionality

7. What are the key features of the integration?

Key features include:

  • Bi-directional sync: Send data from Wati to Sheets or fetch data from Sheets to personalize conversations.

  • Dynamic data mapping: Match Wati variables to specific columns or cells.

  • Real-time updates: Automatically capture new entries as users interact with your WhatsApp number.

  • Flexible triggers: Choose when data is sent, such as after form submission or button clicks.

  • Simple authentication: Secure and quick Google account connection.

8. How does Wati capture data from WhatsApp conversations?

During conversations, Wati collects user inputs through buttons, quick replies, or question blocks. These responses are mapped to your spreadsheet columns and automatically added as new rows or used to update existing ones.

9. Can I fetch data from Google Sheets into Wati?

Yes. With bi-directional sync, you can retrieve data from Google Sheets to personalize chat responses or pre-fill information during user interactions.

10. What permissions does the app request during authentication?

The app requests the following Google API scopes to access and manage your files securely:

  • ./auth/drive.file – allows access to files created or opened by the app in Google Drive.

  • ./auth/spreadsheets – allows the app to view and edit Google Sheets.

Testing and troubleshooting

11. How can I test if my integration is working correctly?

To test:

  • Deploy the chatbot via Team Inbox or trigger it using an automation keyword.

  • Have a user interact with it by providing responses.

  • Verify that the collected data appears in the correct columns of your configured Google Sheet.

12. What should I do if data isn’t appearing in my Google Sheet?

Check the following:

  • Ensure your Google account is properly connected.

  • Confirm that the spreadsheet and sheet names match the configuration.

  • Verify that your variables in Wati match the spreadsheet column headers.

  • Re-save the Google Spreadsheet node settings.

Use cases

13. What are some common ways to use the Wati Google Sheets integration?

Common use cases include:

  • Lead generation: Collecting customer details and storing them in a leads sheet.

  • Customer support: Logging chat-based support tickets for tracking.

  • Order or booking management: Recording order details automatically.

  • Surveys and feedback: Gathering and analyzing responses in real time.

14. How does this integration help improve efficiency?

By automating data transfer between Wati and Google Sheets, teams eliminate manual entry, reduce errors, and gain real-time access to structured data for analysis, reporting, and follow-up actions.

Other resources

15. Does Wati have a privacy policy?

Yes. Wati has a dedicated privacy policy that explains how user data is collected, used, and protected. You can review it on Wati’s official website to understand the company’s data handling and privacy practices.

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