How to Pre-Fill Forms Using Google Sheets and Formester
Manually entering the same information in forms over and over wastes time. It can also lead to mistakes. What if your forms could automatically pull data from your Google Sheets?
With Formester, you can set that up in just a few simple steps. Once connected, your form will prefill fields with data from your Google Sheet based on the user’s input.
This guide will walk you through the entire process in plain English, so you can get it working without stress.
Why Prefill Forms Using Google Sheets?
Prefilling forms saves time and makes the process smoother for everyone. You avoid manual data entry. Your users do not have to type information you already have. It also keeps your data clean and accurate.
Whether you are collecting feedback, updating records, or confirming details, Google Sheets integration makes your forms smarter and faster.
Connect Google Sheets to Autofill Your Form
Step 1. Create Your Form
Log in to your Formester account.
Use the AI Form Generator to quickly create your form. Just type what you need and let Formester build the form for you.
You can always edit the form later to suit your needs.
Step 2. Customize Your Form Settings
Once your form is ready, add any extra features you want. This could include logic, styling, or response settings.
Take a minute to make sure your form looks and works the way you want.
Step 3. Navigate to the Share Tab
At the top of the form builder, go to the Share tab.
This is where you control how your form is shared and how prefilling works.
Step 4. Set Up Prefill Using the API and Google Sheets Template
Inside the Share tab, find the option called Prefill Fields.
Next, select Prefill Using API.
Choose the template for Google Sheets.
This tells Formester that your form will pull data from a Google Sheet when someone fills it.
Step 5. Enter the Details into the Script
Now you will see a script. You only need to fill in a few simple details:
Spreadsheet ID. You can find this in the URL of your Google Sheet.
API Key. Create one in your Google Cloud account at console.cloud.google.com.
Sheet Range. The part of your sheet you want to use. For example, Sheet1 A1 to D100.
Search Field. The column name you want to search by. For example, Employee ID or Email.
Search Value. This links to a field in your form where the user will enter their details. You can find the form field variable for this inside the Formester builder.
Return Fields.** Edit the script to pull data from the columns you want to prefill in the form.
This sounds technical, but you are mostly just copying and pasting values into the right spots.
Step 6. Test the Integration
Before going live, test your setup.
In your form fields variable, give your Search Value field a default value.
Then click on test to test the integration, make sure it shows no errors.
Step 7. Add the Prefilled Data to Your Form Fields
Go back to the Formester builder.
Select the form field where you want the data to appear.
In the Advanced tab, look for the Default Value option.
Use the dynamic data recall here to pull in the information from your Google Sheet.
Step 8. Publish and Share Your Form
Once everything looks good, hit Publish.
Share your form link with your users.
Now, when someone enters their information, the form will automatically prefill other fields using data from your Google Sheet.
Make Your Forms Smarter with Formester
With this setup, you save time, reduce errors, and make your forms feel more personal and professional. Your users only fill what is needed. The rest happens automatically in the background.
Ready to automate your forms with Google Sheets?
Try Formester now and make your forms work smarter, not harder.
