Sheet2Doc support guide
Set up a Google Sheets to Google Docs or PDF merge, understand every field in the sidebar, test one selected row safely, and fix the most common template, Drive, email, and automation issues.
Sheet2Doc
Rows to Docs and PDFs
Quick setup
Start with one selected row
Sheet2Doc is safest when the first run generates one file from one known-good row. Once the template, file name, and email look right, run the remaining pending rows.
- 1Open the Google Sheet that contains one row per document.
- 2Make sure the header row has clear column names such as Name, Email, Course, Date, or Invoice Number.
- 3Create a Google Doc template with matching merge fields like {{Name}} and {{Course}}.
- 4Open Sheet2Doc, choose the sheet tab, choose the Google Doc template, and load merge fields.
- 5Select one real data row and click Generate selected before running a full batch.
- 6After the selected-row test works, turn on email delivery or automation if needed.
Field reference
What every Sheet2Doc field means
Sheet
Choose the sheet tab that contains the rows you want to merge.
- Each non-blank data row can become one generated file.
- If your spreadsheet has multiple tabs, confirm you selected the tab with the real merge data.
- Click Refresh columns after changing header names in the sheet.
Header row
This is the row that contains column names used by merge fields.
- Most sheets use row 1 as the header row.
- Headers should be short and clear, such as Name, Email, Course, Amount, or Due Date.
- Sheet2Doc uses these header names to match placeholders in the Google Doc template.
First data row
This is the first row that should generate a document.
- Most sheets use row 2 because row 1 is usually the header row.
- Rows above this value are ignored during generation.
- When using Generate selected, select one or more rows at or below the first data row.
Template Doc URL or ID
Choose or paste the Google Doc that contains your merge placeholders.
- Use the picker button when possible so Sheet2Doc can access the selected file.
- The template should contain placeholders wrapped in double braces.
- If you paste an ID or URL, make sure it is a Google Doc, not a PDF or Word file.
Output folder
Choose where generated files should be saved in Google Drive.
- Leave it blank to use the spreadsheet folder when Sheet2Doc can resolve it.
- Choose a folder for organized certificate, invoice, or report batches.
- Generated PDFs and Docs are saved to the selected folder.
Output format
Choose whether Sheet2Doc should keep PDFs, Google Docs, or both.
- PDF only is best for certificates, invoices, and files you do not expect recipients to edit.
- Google Doc only is best when you want editable generated documents.
- Doc and PDF is best when you want a final PDF plus an editable copy.
File name pattern
Use sheet values to create readable generated file names.
- Use the same double-brace placeholders as the template.
- Include a stable identifier if names may repeat.
- Avoid file-system characters such as slashes, question marks, and pipes.
Status columns
Sheet2Doc writes generation status and file links back to the sheet.
- Status shows Generated, Emailed, Skipped, or an error message.
- Doc URL and PDF URL columns make it easy to audit output after a batch.
- Leave the default names unless you already have a naming convention.
Merge fields
How placeholders work
Placeholders are the bridge between the Google Sheet and the Google Doc template. Sheet2Doc replaces each placeholder with the value from the current row.
Use exact header names
If the sheet column is Course Name, put {{Course Name}} in the Google Doc where that value should appear.
Load merge fields before running
The Load merge fields button scans the Google Doc and shows the placeholders Sheet2Doc found.
Built-in fields are available
You can use {{date}}, {{today}}, {{timestamp}}, {{row_number}}, {{rowNumber}}, and {{templateName}}.
Email body can use fields too
Subjects and email bodies can include row fields, plus {{docUrl}} and {{pdfUrl}} after generation.
Email and automation
Add delivery after the output is right
Email and scheduled runs are powerful, but they should come after a one-row manual test. That keeps duplicate emails and bad batches out of the workflow.
Email each generated file
Turn this on only after a selected-row generation test works. Choose the recipient email column, then test with a row that uses your own email address.
Skip rows already generated or emailed
Keep this checked for normal batches. It prevents duplicate files when a row already has a completed Sheet2Doc status.
Manual first, automation later
Use Manual only for setup. After the output looks right, switch to form-submit, daily, weekly, or monthly automation.
Trigger authorization
Scheduled and form-submit runs require Apps Script trigger permission. If authorization fails, save as Manual only, re-authorize, then enable automation again.
Troubleshooting
Common setup issues
Most Sheet2Doc issues come from template access, placeholder names, selected rows, Drive API setup, email values, or trigger authorization.
No merge fields were found
Confirm the Google Doc uses double braces, such as {{Name}}, and that you selected a Google Doc template rather than a generated output file.
A field is blank in the generated file
Check that the placeholder matches a sheet header and that the row has a value in that column.
Generate selected says to select data rows
Click the row number for one or more rows at or below the First data row value, then run Generate selected again.
Drive API is disabled
Open the Google Cloud link shown in the error, enable Google Drive API for the Apps Script project, then run Sheet2Doc again.
File not found
Use the template picker again or paste a Google Doc URL that the same Google account can access.
Emails are not sent
Make sure Email each generated file is checked, the recipient email column is selected, and the row has a valid email address.
Rows are skipped
If Skip rows already generated or emailed is checked, rows with Generated, Emailed, Sent, or Done status are skipped.
Automation will not save
The add-on needs Apps Script trigger permission for scheduled or form-submit runs. Re-authorize, or keep Run mode set to Manual only.
Need help with your merge?
Send a note with what you are generating, the sheet headers, the template fields, and the exact error message if one appears.