Summary
Looking to automate your WhatsApp messages using Google Sheets? The Google Sheet Message Sender & Automation Extension makes it easy to send scheduled messages or automate broadcasts when your sheet updates. This guide will walk you through installing the extension, setting up your environment, and using both the WhatsApp Message Schedule and Sheet Automation modules.
Instructions
Step 1: Install the Extension
Open your browser and log in to your Google account.
Open a Google Sheets file - you can use an existing one or create a new file.
Click on the Extensions menu (or Add-ons, depending on your interface).
Select Get add-ons.
In the Google Workspace Marketplace, search for WhatsApp Message Sender Wati.
Click Install and follow the prompts to complete the installation.
Step 2: Set Up Subscription and Usage
Before you can send messages, you'll need to log in and connect your Wati account.
Open the extension from your Google Sheet.
Click on Subscription and Usage.
Log in or sign up using one of the following options:
Trial Account
Automatically connects to app.wati.io using your active Google account email.
You'll get limited trial credits to test sending messages.
Live (Paid) Account
Go to your Wati dashboard.
Copy your API Endpoint URL and Access Token.
Paste them into the respective fields in the extension.
Click Test. You must see a “Success” message for it to work.
Click Save.
Once your login is complete, you can start using either of the two available modules.
Step 3: Use the Sheet Automation Module
This module lets you automatically send WhatsApp broadcasts when your Google Sheet gets updated. Here’s how to set it up.
Create a New Rule
Launch the Sheet Automation module from the sidebar.
Click New Rule.
Give your rule a meaningful name.
Set the Trigger
Choose what should activate the broadcast. You have three options:
Column is updated: Triggers when a specific column is updated (e.g.,
A).Row is updated: Triggers when any data is updated in a specific row (e.g.,
2).New row is added: Triggers when a new row is added and all necessary columns are filled in.
Add a Filter (Optional)
Filters help you control when a broadcast should be sent, especially useful if your sheet updates often.
Choose to add a new condition using + AND or + OR.
Select between a Column condition or Range condition.
Choose the condition type from the dropdown:
Text (e.g., contains, equals)
Number (e.g., greater than, less than)
Date/Time
Exists / Does not exist
Enter the specific value to match.
Example: Only send a broadcast if a cell in column B contains a number greater than 100.
Set the Action
This defines what will happen when the rule is triggered.
Set up the environment again by entering your API Endpoint URL and Access Token, then click Test.
Define where to find the phone numbers:
Use the WhatsApp Number field to auto-fill the contact number cell.
Choose a Template Name from your Wati account.
Link the template’s variables to spreadsheet cells:
Click on the cells containing the values to auto-fill.
If not fixed, use placeholders like
{column_A},{column_B}.
Important: The format {column_X} is necessary when using update triggers.
Click Save to finalize your rule.
Step 4: Trigger the Broadcast
Once the rule is saved and your sheet meets the trigger conditions, the broadcast will automatically be sent using the configured template and variables.
With the Google Sheet Message Sender & Automation Extension, staying in touch with your contacts via WhatsApp is seamless and automated - right from your spreadsheet.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Installation & Setup
1. How do I install the Google Sheet Message Sender & Automation Extension?
→ Open your Google Sheet, go to Extensions > Get add-ons, search for "WhatsApp Message Sender Wati," and click Install. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation.
2. What permissions do I need to grant during installation?
→ You’ll be asked to select a Google account and grant permissions for the extension to access your spreadsheet. These permissions are necessary for the extension to function properly.
3. Can I use this extension with any Google account?
→ Yes, you can use it with any active Google account that allows third-party add-ons.
Subscription & Usage
4. Do I need a Wati account to use the extension?
→ Yes, you must log in with a Wati account to use the messaging features. You can use either a trial or a live (paid) account.
5. What's the difference between a trial and a live Wati account?
→ A trial account connects automatically to app.wati.io using your Google email and provides limited credits for testing. A live account requires manual entry of your API Endpoint URL and Access Token from your Wati dashboard.
6. What should I do if the connection test fails?
→ Double-check your API Endpoint URL and Access Token. Make sure they are correctly copied from your Wati dashboard and pasted without extra spaces. The test must return “Success” for the setup to work.
Using Sheet Automation
7. What is the Sheet Automation module used for?
→ This module allows you to send automated WhatsApp broadcasts whenever your Google Sheet is updated based on rules you define.
8. How do I create a new automation rule?
→ Open the Sheet Automation module from the sidebar, click New Rule, give it a name, then configure the trigger, optional filters, and the action to perform.
9. What triggers can I use to send a message?
→ You can choose one of the following:
Column is updated
Row is updated
New row is added
10. Is it mandatory to use a filter?
→ No, filters are optional. Use them only if you want to send messages based on specific conditions within your sheet data.
11. How do I use placeholders in the Action section?
→ If the target cells are not fixed, use the format {column_A}, {column_B}, etc., to reference dynamic values based on updated rows or columns.