How to Send Automated WhatsApp Messages from Google Sheets
When a Cell Changes, WhatsApp Sends Itself
Connect your spreadsheet to the official WhatsApp Business Platform and send approved template messages automatically. No code, no copy-paste.
Introduction
Google Sheets WhatsApp Integration in Seven Steps
The Google Sheets WhatsApp integration is a Google Workspace add-on called WhatsApp Message Automation: GreenTick. It reads your sheet and, when a row is added, a status changes or a date arrives, sends an approved WhatsApp template message to the customer in that row.
It works for order confirmations, shipping updates, payment reminders, appointment reminders and lead follow-ups. Watch the 79-second walkthrough, then follow the steps below. The video covers the same flow in five setup steps; the screenshots below break it into seven, ending with the first message sending.
Before You Start
What You Need for Google Sheets WhatsApp Automation
A GreenTick account and API key.
At least one approved message template. See how to create a WhatsApp message template.
A WhatsApp Business number connected to GreenTick. Not done yet? Follow the connect your number guide first.
A Google Sheet with one column of customer phone numbers, country code included.
Walkthrough
How to Set Up the Google Sheets WhatsApp Integration
1️⃣ Install the add-on and open Automations
Install WhatsApp Message Automation: GreenTick from the Google Workspace Marketplace. Then open your sheet and go to Extensions → Add-ons → WhatsApp Message Automation: GreenTick → Open automations. A sidebar opens on the right of your sheet.
The add-on lists your columns by their header names, so give every column a clear heading, such as Name, Phone and Order ID.
2️⃣ Connect your GreenTick account
In the sidebar, paste your API key into the API key field and click Save and continue. Use Show to check what you pasted.
You can find the key in your GreenTick dashboard under Developer settings. The sidebar also has a Get an API key link. The key stays on this spreadsheet, and you can change or remove it later.
3️⃣ Click Add rule
Once connected, the sidebar shows Connected at the top and a Rules list below it, empty at first (“No rules yet”). Click Add rule to create your first WhatsApp automation for this spreadsheet.
The Recent sends list sits underneath and fills up once messages start going out.
4️⃣ Choose when to send
Give the rule a name, pick the Sheet (worksheet) it should watch, and choose Send when.
In this example, A column changes is selected, Status is the Column to watch, and Shipped is the Value that should match. A message goes out when an order’s status changes to Shipped. Leave the value blank to send on any new value in that column.
5️⃣ Pick a template and map your columns
Choose an approved WhatsApp template. The sidebar shows its text, for example “Hi {{name}}, good news! Your order {{order_id}} has been shipped and will reach you by {{delivery_date}}.”
Then choose the WhatsApp number column (Phone here) and pick a sheet column for each template variable: Name for name, Order ID for order_id and Delivery date for delivery_date. Click Save rule.
Templates with an image, video or document header use the approved template sample automatically. Dynamic button links and copy-code buttons can also be filled from a column.
6️⃣ Turn the rule on
Your saved rule now appears in the Rules list with its trigger, sheet, template and condition (“When Status changes to Shipped”). Make sure the switch beside it shows Active. Turn it off at any time to pause the rule.
7️⃣ Messages send automatically
From now on, when the sheet changes, GreenTick sends the WhatsApp message. Here, Kabir Singh’s status becomes Shipped, and Recent sends logs the number tried, the rule name with the row, and Success: Sent.
Delivery status and customer replies are in Live Chat on your GreenTick dashboard.
Triggers
Google Sheets WhatsApp Triggers: The "Send When" Options
In step 4, the Send when dropdown decides what makes a message go out. The first three options are explained in detail below.
1️⃣ A new row is added
This trigger watches the worksheet you chose. When a new row is filled in, the add-on sends your approved template to the phone number in that row. The message is built from that same row, so every variable in your template is read from the new entry.
Each row is messaged once for this event. Duplicate protection means editing or re-saving the row does not send the same message again.
Best for
- Order confirmations when a new order lands in your tracker
- Instant lead follow-up for new leads captured in a sheet
- Registration or sign-up confirmations
Keep in mind
- Keep every value your template needs in the same row, because that row is the only source for the message.
- Enter the phone number with its country code, and add the other mapped values at the same time, so the message goes out with complete details.
2️⃣ A column changes
This trigger watches one column. When a value in that column changes, the add-on sends your template to the phone number in the same row. It is the one to use for status updates, because your team keeps working in the sheet and the customer is told as the status moves.
Duplicate protection applies here too: the same row is not messaged twice for the same change.
Best for
- Order progress: Status becomes “Shipped”, then “Delivered”
- Payment updates: Status becomes “Paid”, or “Overdue” for a payment reminder
- Application, booking or ticket status changes
Keep in mind
- Watch the column your team actually edits, usually a Status column.
- A rule sends one template. If “Shipped” and “Paid” need different messages, create a separate rule and template for each.
- A dropdown list in the status column keeps values consistent, so the same status is always spelled the same way.
3️⃣ A date column is today
This trigger watches a column of dates. When the date in a row is today, the add-on sends your template to that row’s phone number. It turns a sheet of dates into a reminder system, with nobody needing to remember to check it.
The message goes out on the date stored in the column, so the date you enter is the day the customer is messaged.
Best for
- Appointment and booking reminders
- Renewal notices and invoice due dates
- Event invitations, class reminders and shift updates
Keep in mind
- Store real dates in the column, using Google Sheets’ date format, not text.
- To remind someone the day before an appointment, add a “Reminder date” column with a formula such as
=B2-1(where B2 holds the appointment date) and point the rule at that column.
The list continues below these three. Two more triggers are available:
4️⃣ Schedule
Sends daily or weekly at the hour you choose, to rows that match a filter.
Example: a weekly reminder every Monday
5️⃣ Google Form submit
Sends an instant WhatsApp reply when someone submits your Google Form.
Example: lead follow-up on every response
Good to Know
Straight From Meta
Official Documentation
To message a customer first on WhatsApp, you need their opt-in and an approved message template. Having a phone number in a spreadsheet is not consent. Only add customers who agreed to hear from you on WhatsApp, and make sure the opt-in covers the kind of message you are automating.
Wrapping Up
Your Sheet Now Sends WhatsApp Messages
That is a working Google Sheets WhatsApp integration: add a row, change a status or reach a date, and the right customer gets the right approved template. Check the recent sends log after your first few triggers to confirm everything delivers. Want replies handled automatically too? Set up WhatsApp automation in your GreenTick dashboard, or see how to create more message templates for other triggers.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I send WhatsApp messages from Google Sheets automatically?
Yes, with the WhatsApp Message Automation: GreenTick add-on. It sends approved WhatsApp template messages through the official WhatsApp Business Platform when a new row is added, a column changes, a date arrives, a schedule runs or a Google Form is submitted.
Does this work with Excel?
No, the add-on works with Google Sheets only. You can still use an Excel file: upload the .xlsx to Google Drive, open it with Google Sheets and choose File, then Save as Google Sheets. Set up your rules on the converted copy.
Do I need to know how to code?
No. Setup is a sidebar form: connect your API key, choose a worksheet, trigger, phone column and template, then map your variables. There are no scripts or formulas to write.
Is the add-on free?
The add-on itself is free to install from the Google Workspace Marketplace. Sending messages needs an active GreenTick account, a connected WhatsApp Business number and an approved template.
Will the add-on change or delete data in my sheet?
No. It only reads your data and never writes back into your cells.
Will the same customer get the same message twice?
No. Duplicate protection means the same row is not messaged twice for the same event.
How many automation rules can I create?
Up to 20 rules per spreadsheet, and each rule has its own on/off switch.
Where do I see delivery status and customer replies?
The add-on’s recent sends log shows each trigger with the phone number, rule name and result. Delivery status and customer replies appear in Live Chat on your GreenTick dashboard. See the Live Chat guide.
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