How to Integrate Google Sheets with PayHelm

The Google Sheets integration allows you to export your PayHelm analytics data directly to Google Sheets, where you can perform custom analysis, create reports, and collaborate with your team. This guide will walk you through setting up and using the integration.

What You Can Do with This Integration

Once connected, you'll be able to:

• Export PayHelm analytics data directly to Google Sheets
• Set up automated data synchronization to keep your sheets updated
• Use Google Sheets formulas for custom calculations on your PayHelm data
• Share reports with team members and collaborate in real-time
• Create custom report templates with your preferred formatting
• Build dashboards and visualizations using Google Sheets charts

Setting Up the Google Sheets Integration

The setup process takes approximately 3 minutes and involves five main steps:

Step 1: Connect Your Google Account

To begin, you'll need to connect your Google account to PayHelm:

1. Navigate to the Integrations section in PayHelm
2. Locate Google in the list of available integrations and click "Connect"
3. You'll be redirected to Google's OAuth authentication page
4. Sign in with your Google account
5. Review the permissions PayHelm needs (ability to create and edit spreadsheets)
6. Grant access by approving the permissions
7. You'll be redirected back to PayHelm once connected

PayHelm uses secure OAuth authentication, which means your Google password is never shared with PayHelm. The integration only requests the permissions needed to create and update spreadsheets on your behalf.

Step 2: Configure Your Data Export Preferences

After connecting, you'll configure what data gets exported:

• Select data sources: Choose which PayHelm data to include (sales data, marketing metrics, customer analytics, attribution data, or custom metrics)
• Set date ranges: Determine the time period for your initial export
• Choose data format: Select whether you want raw data, aggregated summaries, or specific fields

These preferences determine what information appears in your Google Sheets exports.

Step 3: Create Report Templates (Optional)

You can create custom templates that define how your data is organized:

• Name your template for easy identification
• Select which metrics and dimensions to include
• Choose how data should be organized (by date, product, channel, etc.)
• Configure formatting preferences (headers, number formats, date formats, currency)

Templates save time when you need to generate the same type of report regularly.

Step 4: Set Up Automated Synchronization

Configure how often your Google Sheets should update with new PayHelm data:

• Sync frequency options: Real-time updates, hourly, daily, weekly, or manual only
• Choose which sheets auto-sync: Select specific exports for automatic updates
• Set up notifications: Get alerts when syncs complete or if errors occur

Automated synchronization ensures your Google Sheets always have the latest data without manual exports.

Step 5: Configure Sharing Permissions

Decide who can access your exported data:

• Keep sheets private (only you)
• Share with specific team members by email
• Share with your entire organization
• Create public links for external stakeholders

You can set different permission levels (view only, comment, or edit) for each person or group.

Exporting Data from PayHelm to Google Sheets

Manual Export

To export data on demand:

1. Navigate to the data or report you want to export in PayHelm
2. Look for the export option
3. Select Google Sheets as your export destination
4. Choose to create a new spreadsheet, add to an existing one, or use a template
5. Name your spreadsheet (if creating new)
6. Confirm the export
7. PayHelm will process the export and provide a link to your Google Sheet

How Exported Data is Structured

When PayHelm exports to Google Sheets, data is organized into columns:

• Date columns: Order dates, transaction dates, etc.
• Metric columns: Revenue, orders, sessions, conversions, and other numerical values
• Dimension columns: Product names, marketing channels, customer segments, categories
• Calculated fields: Pre-calculated metrics like average order value, ROAS, conversion rates

This structure makes it easy to work with the data using Google Sheets formulas and pivot tables.

Working with Your Data in Google Sheets

Creating Pivot Tables

Google Sheets pivot tables work with PayHelm data:

1. Select your data range
2. Insert a pivot table (Insert menu > Pivot table)
3. Add dimensions to Rows (e.g., Product, Channel, Date)
4. Add metrics to Values (e.g., Sum of Revenue, Count of Orders)
5. Apply filters to focus on specific segments

Pivot tables automatically update when PayHelm syncs new data to your sheet.

Learn more about creating and editing pivot tables in Google Sheets

Building Charts and Visualizations

Create visual representations of your PayHelm data:

1. Select the data you want to visualize
2. Insert a chart (Insert menu > Chart)
3. Choose your chart type (line, bar, pie, scatter, etc.)
4. Customize the appearance (title, colors, labels, axes)
5. Place the chart on your sheet

Charts update automatically when the underlying data changes through synchronization.

Learn more about creating and editing charts in Google Sheets

Real-Time Data Synchronization

The integration includes automated data synchronization:

• How it works: PayHelm monitors for new data and updates your Google Sheets based on your configured schedule
• What gets updated: New rows are added, and existing data can be refreshed
• Formulas are preserved: Any custom formulas you've added remain intact
• Charts auto-refresh: Visualizations update to reflect the new data

Manual Refresh

If you need the latest data immediately, you can trigger a manual refresh through the integration settings, bypassing your scheduled sync.

Collaborating with Your Team

Sharing Sheets

Google Sheets' built-in sharing works with PayHelm exports:

1. Open your exported sheet
2. Use the Share button in Google Sheets
3. Add team members by email
4. Set their permission level:
- Viewer: Can see data only - Commenter: Can view and add comments - Editor: Can modify formulas and data
5. Send the invitation

Learn more about sharing spreadsheets in Google Sheets

Real-Time Collaboration

Multiple people can work on the same sheet simultaneously. You'll see:
• Who else is viewing or editing
• Changes as they happen
• Cursor positions of other users

Adding Comments

Team members can discuss the data:
• Select a cell or range
• Add a comment
• Tag colleagues using @ mentions
• Reply to comments
• Resolve discussions when complete

Learn more about commenting in Google Sheets

Common Use Cases

Team Reporting

Export your PayHelm data and share it with your team so everyone can analyze the same data and add their insights.

Client Reports (For Agencies)

Agencies can export client data from PayHelm, format it in Google Sheets with custom branding, and share it with clients.

Custom Analysis

Use Google Sheets' extensive formula library to perform calculations that aren't available in PayHelm's standard reports.

Learn more about using formulas in Google Sheets

Executive Dashboards

Create summary dashboards with key metrics and charts that automatically update as PayHelm syncs new data.

Data Consolidation

Combine PayHelm data with information from other sources in Google Sheets to get a complete view of your business. You can use Google Sheets functions like IMPORTRANGE to pull in data from multiple sheets or VLOOKUP to match data across sources.

Budget vs. Actual Tracking

Export actual performance data from PayHelm and add your budget figures in adjacent columns to track variance and performance against plan.

Automated Distribution

Set up automated synchronization, then use Google Sheets add-ons or Apps Script to email reports to stakeholders on a schedule.

Best Practices

Keep Data Organized

• Use clear, descriptive names for your sheets that include the data type and date range
• Create folders in Google Drive to organize your PayHelm exports
• Use separate tabs for raw data vs. analysis
• Add a documentation tab that explains what each column contains

Protect Important Data

• Use protected ranges (Data menu > Protected sheets and ranges) to prevent accidental changes to PayHelm export data
• Do your analysis in separate sheets that reference the protected data
• Review sharing permissions regularly
• Keep backups of important analysis

Learn more about protecting ranges and sheets in Google Sheets

Optimize Performance

• Only export the data you actually need
• Be mindful of Google Sheets' 10 million cell limit per spreadsheet
• Use the QUERY function for efficient filtering rather than complex nested formulas
• Archive old data to separate sheets if your exports get very large

Learn more about improving Google Sheets performance

Maintain Accuracy

• Document your custom calculations so others understand them
• Periodically verify your Google Sheets data against PayHelm to ensure sync is working correctly
• Use data validation to prevent errors in manually-entered data
• Create a change log if multiple people are editing the sheet

Learn more about data validation in Google Sheets

Benefits of the Integration

• Cost-effective: Use Google Sheets as an alternative to expensive BI tools
• Familiar interface: Work in a spreadsheet environment most people already know
• Flexible analysis: Unlimited custom calculations and formulas
• Easy sharing: Google Sheets' built-in collaboration features
• Automated updates: Set it once and your sheets stay current
• Works with Google Workspace: Integrate with other Google tools you already use

Troubleshooting

Connection Issues

If you're having trouble connecting:
• Ensure you're using the correct Google account
• Check that you've approved all necessary permissions
• Try disconnecting and reconnecting
• Verify your Google Workspace administrator hasn't blocked third-party apps

Sync Not Working

If your data isn't updating:
• Check your sync schedule settings
• Verify the connection is still active
• Look for any error notifications
• Try a manual refresh to test the connection
• Check if you've hit Google Sheets' row or cell limits

Formula Errors After Sync

If formulas break when new data syncs:
• Use absolute references ($A$1) instead of relative references where appropriate
• Put custom formulas in separate columns or sheets from where PayHelm writes data
• Use named ranges that won't shift when new rows are added

Learn more about troubleshooting in Google Sheets

Getting Help

If you need assistance:
• Contact PayHelm support through the in-app chat
• Visit the Help Center for more guides
• Check the Integrations page for setup information
• Visit Google Sheets Help Center for Google Sheets questions

The Google Sheets integration gives you the flexibility to analyze PayHelm data in whatever way makes sense for your business, collaborate with your team, and create custom reports tailored to your needs.