Connect PaperSurvey to Google Sheets for real-time access to your survey data. Every new response automatically syncs to your spreadsheet, creating a live data feed you can analyze, share, and build upon.

How the integration works

Once connected, PaperSurvey creates and maintains a Google Sheet with your survey data:

• New responses appear within seconds of processing
• Data updates automatically as surveys are completed
• All question responses are organized in columns
• Metadata like submission time and respondent ID are included

The spreadsheet remains synchronized with your PaperSurvey account, providing always-current data without manual exports.

Setting up Google Sheets sync

1. Navigate to your Integration Settings
2. Click "Connect Google Sheets" and authorize PaperSurvey
3. Select the survey you want to sync
4. Choose whether to create a new spreadsheet or use an existing one
5. Click "Enable Sync" to start the connection

Your data will begin populating immediately, with new responses added as they're processed.

Powerful use cases

Real-time dashboards

Connect your synced sheet to Google Data Studio or other visualization tools. Build interactive dashboards that update automatically as new surveys come in - perfect for monitoring ongoing research or feedback campaigns.

Advanced calculations

Create additional sheets in the same workbook to:

• Calculate running averages and trends
• Build pivot tables for cross-tabulation
• Apply custom formulas for scoring or analysis
• Generate summary statistics by date, location, or respondent group

Team collaboration

Share the Google Sheet with stakeholders who need data access without PaperSurvey accounts. Set view-only permissions to ensure data integrity while keeping everyone informed.

Business intelligence integration

Use the sheet as a data source for:

• Tableau, Power BI, or other BI platforms
• Automated reporting workflows
• Integration with CRM or analytics systems
• Custom applications via Google Sheets API

Best practices

Preserve data integrity

• Don't modify the synced sheet directly - Changes will be overwritten during the next sync
• Create separate sheets for calculations and analysis
• Use formulas that reference the synced data rather than copying it

Organize your analysis

• Name additional sheets clearly (e.g., "Weekly Summary", "Response Trends")
• Document your formulas and calculations
• Use data validation to prevent errors in analysis sheets

Performance optimization

• For surveys with thousands of responses, consider filtering data in your analysis
• Use efficient formulas like QUERY() instead of multiple VLOOKUP() functions
• Archive old data periodically if sheets become too large

Understanding sync behavior

Update frequency

• New data typically appears within 2-5 minutes
• The "Last Updated" timestamp shows when data was last synchronized

Data structure

Your synced sheet includes:

• One row per survey response
• Columns for each survey question
• System fields: Response ID, Timestamp, Processing Status
• Any custom fields from your survey design

Handling changes

If you modify your survey structure:

• New questions appear as new columns
• Deleted questions remain in the sheet (marked as inactive)
• Question order in the sheet matches your survey design

Availability and limits

This integration is available to all PaperSurvey users at no additional cost. While there are no usage fees, be aware of these technical limits:

• Google Sheets maximum: 10 million cells per spreadsheet
• During high-volume periods, syncing may be delayed

Need help setting up advanced workflows? Our support team can provide guidance on optimizing your Google Sheets integration for your specific use case.