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Google Sheets Integration for Nodus

1. Introduction to the Google Sheets Integration​

What Is This Integration?​

The Google Sheets integration enables bidirectional data flow between Google Sheets and Nodus. This integration allows you to import data from spreadsheets into Nodus for processing and export transformed data back to Google Sheets for reporting and collaboration. It functions as both a source and destination connector, providing flexible data integration with your spreadsheet workflows.

Prerequisites:​

  • A Google account with access to Google Sheets
  • Google Sheets with appropriate sharing permissions
  • Authorization via Google Single Sign-On (SSO)
  • Read/write permissions for the specific sheets you want to connect

Connection Overview:​

The integration uses Google Sheets API v4 to read and write spreadsheet data. Authentication is handled through OAuth 2.0, and the connector can work with both individual sheets and entire spreadsheets based on your configuration.

2. Platform Setup Documentation (Setup Form for Google Sheets)​

Purpose & Scope​

This section covers how to set up the initial connection between Nodus and Google Sheets by providing the necessary authentication and spreadsheet details.

Field-by-Field Breakdown:​

Integration Name​

  • Field Name & Label: Integration Name
  • Description & Purpose: A descriptive name to identify this Google Sheets integration within your Nodus account.
  • Validation Rules & Format: Text string, required field.
  • Examples: "Google Sheets - Marketing Reports", "Sales Data Sheets"
  • Troubleshooting Tips: Use a descriptive name that clearly identifies the purpose or department using these sheets.

Spreadsheet ID or URL​

  • Field Name & Label: Spreadsheet ID
  • Description & Purpose: The unique identifier or URL of the Google Sheet you want to connect.
  • Validation Rules & Format: Google Sheets ID or full URL, required field.
  • Examples:
  • Troubleshooting Tips: You can find the Spreadsheet ID in the URL between "/d/" and "/edit". Ensure the sheet is shared with appropriate permissions.

Sheet Name (Optional)​

  • Field Name & Label: Sheet Name
  • Description & Purpose: Specific sheet tab within the spreadsheet to connect to.
  • Validation Rules & Format: Text string, optional field.
  • Examples: "Sheet1", "Marketing Data", "Q4 Results"
  • Troubleshooting Tips: If not specified, the integration will work with the first sheet. Use exact sheet name including spaces and capitalization.

Step-by-Step Guide:​

  1. Open your Google Sheet in a browser
  2. Copy the Spreadsheet ID from the URL or use the entire URL
  3. Ensure the sheet has appropriate sharing settings (at minimum "View" for reading, "Edit" for writing)
  4. Enter the Spreadsheet ID and Integration Name in the Nodus setup form
  5. Optionally specify a sheet name if working with a specific tab
  6. Click Authorize to launch the Google SSO authorization flow
  7. Grant permissions when prompted by Google
  8. Verify connection and save the configuration

3. Data Operations Configuration​

Purpose & Overview​

This section explains how to configure data operations with Google Sheets, including both importing data from sheets and exporting data to sheets.

Import Configuration:​

Data Range​

  • Field Name & Label: Data Range
  • Description & Purpose: Specifies the range of cells to import
  • Validation Rules & Format: A1 notation or named range
  • Examples: "A1:Z100", "Sheet1!A:D", "DataTable"
  • Troubleshooting Tips: Use A1 notation for specific ranges. Leave empty to import all data.

Header Row​

  • Field Name & Label: Header Row
  • Description & Purpose: Indicates if the first row contains column headers
  • Validation Rules & Format: Boolean (Yes/No)
  • Default: Yes
  • Troubleshooting Tips: Headers are used as column names in the imported data.

Export Configuration:​

Write Mode​

  • Field Name & Label: Write Mode
  • Description & Purpose: Determines how data is written to the sheet
  • Available Options:
    • Overwrite - Replace all existing data
    • Append - Add data to the end of existing content
    • Update - Update specific cells based on key columns
  • Default: Overwrite

Starting Cell​

  • Field Name & Label: Starting Cell
  • Description & Purpose: The cell where data export begins
  • Validation Rules & Format: A1 notation
  • Examples: "A1", "B5", "Sheet2!C10"
  • Default: "A1"

Include Headers​

  • Field Name & Label: Include Headers
  • Description & Purpose: Whether to include column headers in the export
  • Validation Rules & Format: Boolean (Yes/No)
  • Default: Yes

Workflow & Examples:​

Import Workflow:

  1. Select Google Sheets as source
  2. Specify the data range to import
  3. Configure header row settings
  4. Map columns to Nodus data model
  5. Execute import

Export Workflow:

  1. Select Google Sheets as destination
  2. Choose write mode (Overwrite/Append/Update)
  3. Specify starting cell
  4. Configure header inclusion
  5. Execute export

Example Use Cases:​

Marketing Report Import:

  • Range: "Monthly_Report!A:F"
  • Header Row: Yes
  • Purpose: Import monthly marketing metrics for analysis

Sales Data Export:

  • Write Mode: Append
  • Starting Cell: "A1"
  • Include Headers: Yes (first time only)
  • Purpose: Continuously add processed sales data

Dashboard Update:

  • Write Mode: Update
  • Key Columns: Date, Product_ID
  • Purpose: Update existing dashboard with latest metrics

4. Data Schema & Formatting​

Supported Data Types:​

  • Text/String: Standard text values
  • Numbers: Integers and decimals
  • Dates: Various date formats (automatically detected)
  • Booleans: TRUE/FALSE values
  • Formulas: Can read calculated values (not formulas themselves)

Data Formatting Guidelines:​

For Import:

  • Ensure consistent data types within columns
  • Use standard date formats (MM/DD/YYYY or DD/MM/YYYY)
  • Remove merged cells in data ranges
  • Avoid empty rows within data ranges

For Export:

  • Data is formatted based on Nodus data types
  • Dates exported in ISO format by default
  • Numbers maintain precision from source
  • NULL values exported as empty cells

Best Practices:​

  • Use named ranges for frequently accessed data
  • Keep headers in the first row for easier mapping
  • Avoid special characters in column headers
  • Regular data validation to ensure consistency
  • Use separate sheets for different data types

5. Advanced Features​

Batch Operations:​

  • Process multiple sheets in a single operation
  • Schedule regular imports/exports
  • Chain multiple Google Sheets operations

Data Transformation:​

  • Apply transformations during import/export
  • Map Google Sheets columns to different schema
  • Filter data during transfer

Error Handling:​

  • Validation of data types before import
  • Error reporting for failed operations
  • Retry logic for temporary failures

6. Troubleshooting & FAQs​

Common Issues:​

Permission Errors:

  • Verify sheet sharing settings
  • Re-authorize if permissions have changed
  • Check if sheet owner has revoked access

Data Type Mismatches:

  • Ensure consistent formatting in source columns
  • Check for mixed data types in single columns
  • Validate date formats match expected pattern

Performance Issues:

  • Large sheets (>100k rows) may require pagination
  • Consider splitting very wide sheets
  • Use specific ranges instead of entire sheets

FAQs:​

Q: Can I connect to multiple Google Sheets? A: Yes, create separate integrations for each spreadsheet.

Q: How often does data sync? A: You can configure manual, scheduled, or triggered syncs based on your needs.

Q: What happens to formulas during import? A: Only calculated values are imported, not the formulas themselves.

Q: Can I write formulas during export? A: Currently, only values are exported. Formulas must be added manually in Google Sheets.

Support Resources:​