Use the ActiveCampaign Google Sheets integration

Learn how to use the Google Sheets integration to import contacts to ActiveCampaign or push contacts to a Google Sheet. 

Take note

• Ensure that the Google Sheet you are connecting has the appropriate permissions set to edit the sheet as owned or shared directly to a group
• Do not include a question mark (?) in the Google Sheet name 

About the Google Sheets integration

This integration offers two separate sync options. One option imports contacts to your ActiveCampaign account (inbound sync) and the other option pushes contacts to a google sheet through an automation action (outbound sync).

You can choose to use either one or both options with this integration. However, they both function separately from each other.

The inbound import of contacts will add the following tags:

• google-sheets-integration
• google-sheets-integration-document_name-sheet_name
  • This secondary tag provides the document name and sheet name from which the contact was imported

The outbound sync does not add tags to contacts. If you want to add a tag to the contact, you can do so with the "Add Tag" automation action. 

Sync contacts to ActiveCampaign from a Google Sheet

This option adds new contacts to your ActiveCampaign account. Each contact will have the tags listed above on their profiles..

How syncing works

The sync runs every 1 hour. When configuring the integration, choose one of the following options:

• Import contacts and auto-import new contacts in the future
• Import contacts and not auto-import new contacts

The sync does not automatically push updates made to contacts in your sheet if they've already been synced.

To sync updates made to contacts in your sheet, use the "Restart" button. This button is available on the Google Sheets app page when the integration is connected.

Once clicked, the integration will scan your sheet for updates starting with the first row and will run every 1 hour.

About field mapping

This integration does not import new custom fields. Before starting this integration, make sure all custom contact fields are created in ActiveCampaign first so you can map them to columns in your Google Sheet.

It is not possible to import deal or account fields using this import option.

Before you get started - Google Sheets preparation 

• Make sure to remove any punctuation from your Google Sheet name and spreadsheet name. Otherwise, contacts will not import to ActiveCampaign
• Make sure that your spreadsheet has the appropriate permissions set to edit the sheet, either as owned or shared directly to a group, not a link to the sheet itself
• The first row in your sheet should be a header row. We read that row during the mapping step to show you the column names from your sheet. We do not read that row during processing
• All columns that have data will be imported. Make sure your columns are filled out correctly
  • Incorrect setup example: 
    
  • Correct setup example:
    

Sync contacts from a Google Sheet

1. From your ActiveCampaign account, click "Apps."
2. Search for "Google Sheets."
3. Click the "Google Sheets" option to open it.
4. The Google Sheets app page will load. Click the "Import Contacts" button.
5. A modal window will appear. Click the "Connect" button.
6. You'll be directed to a page where you need to log into your Google account.
7. On the next page, click "Allow" to give ActiveCampaign permission to access your Google Account.
8. You'll be redirected back to the Google Sheets setup page in ActiveCampaign. Click the "Continue" button. 
9. On the Select Sheet screen, use the dropdowns to select the spreadsheet and sheet you want to sync to ActiveCampaign.
10. Click the "Continue" button.  
11. On the Mapping screen, map each field you want to sync.
    • To map extra fields, click "Add field mapping"
    • To remove a field, click the trash icon
      
      

        The Google Sheets dropdown has fields called Column A, Column B, etc. It does not recognize column header names. We recommend having a separate window or tab open with your Google Sheet displayed while you map fields. This will make it easier to know which data is in which column.

12. On the Schedule Sync screen, click the import option you wish to use then type the sync name into the field provided.
13. Click the "Finish" button.

The connected sheet will be added to the "Imports" section of the Google Sheets app page. From this page, you can view the import status, the last received date, restart the import, edit the import, or delete the import.

Sync contacts to a Google Sheet from ActiveCampaign

With this option, you need an active automation that uses the "Add a Row in Google Sheets" action.

As contacts move through this action, their mapped data will sync to the next available row in your connected spreadsheet in real-time.

This integration is not meant for the bulk export of contacts. Learn how to bulk export contacts.

About the "Add a Row in Google Sheets" automation action

You can only use one Google spreadsheet per "Add a Row in Google Sheets" automation action.

In addition, only contact fields can be synced to the spreadsheet. This includes standard contact fields and custom contact fields.

Once you add the action to your automation, a prompt will walk you through the following connection and configuration steps:

• Connect to a Google account
• Select a spreadsheet. Note that this can be a spreadsheet that you own, that is in a shared drive that you can access, or that has been shared with you
• Map contact fields with columns in your spreadsheet

How custom date fields sync to Google Sheets

Custom Date fields that sync to your Google Sheet will have the following format: Year-Month-Day, like "2023-03-09."

In addition, any custom DateTime fields that sync to your Google Sheet will have the following format: year-month-dayThour:minute:second:millisecond timezone offset", like "2023-03-21T22:15:00-07:00"

Add contacts to a Google Sheet with the "Add a Row in Google Sheets" automation action

1. From your automation, click "CX Apps" in the right menu.
2. Drag the "Add a Row in Google Sheets" action to your automation.
3. A modal will open. Click the "Connect" button.
4. A list of Google accounts that you have access to will appear. Click the Google account you wish to connect.
5. On the next screen, grant permission for ActiveCampaign to access your Google account. To do so, click the "Allow" button.
6. You will be directed back to your ActiveCampaign account. Click the "Continue" button.
7. Next, select the spreadsheet you and the sheet name you want to connect. Then click the "Continue" button.
   • Note that if you don't see the spreadsheet you wish to update in the dropdown, you can type it into the field then click it to select it.
8. On the Mapping screen, map each field you want to sync.
   • To map extra fields, click "Add field mapping"
   • To remove a field, click the trash icon
     The Google Sheets dropdown has fields called Column A, Column B, etc. It does not recognize column header names. We recommend having a separate window or tab open with your Google Sheet displayed while you map fields. This will make it easier to know which data is in which column.
9. Click the "Finish" button when complete.

The action will be added to your automation.

Google Sheets will appear under "Connected Apps" in your ActiveCampaign account, also.

How to disconnect the integration

There are a few different options you can use to disconnect the integration. Once disconnected, information will no longer sync. Previously synced data will remain in your ActiveCampaign account and/or Google Sheet.

Stop importing contacts from Google Sheets

When you disconnect the Google Sheet, your Google Account will still be connected to ActiveCampaign. Once the sheet is disconnected, all import syncs will stop.

1. Click "Apps" on the left menu.
2. Click "Connected Apps."
3. Click the Google Sheets option to open it.
4. Click the "Imports" tab.
5. Click the down caret for the import you wish to disconnect.
6. Click the "Delete Import" option.

Stop adding contacts to Google Sheets

You can prevent contacts from syncing to your Google sheet. To do so, remove the "Add to a Google Sheet" action from your automation.  

Note that your Google Account will still be connected to ActiveCampaign.

Disconnect your Google Account from ActiveCampaign

You can disconnect your Google account from ActiveCampaign. When your Google account is disconnected, syncs will no longer take place.

1. Click "Apps" in the left menu.
2. Click "Connected Apps."
3. Click the "Google Sheets" app.
4. Click the "Disconnect" button in the modal window.

Your Google account will be disconnected from ActiveCampaign. A confirmation message will appear at the top of the Google Sheets app page.