Google Sheet Integration
This integration is ideal for organisations that prefer spreadsheet-based data management or need a quick setup with minimal technical requirements.
Overview
With Google Sheets integration, ClearGrid can:
Automatically read data from shared spreadsheets
Support real-time or scheduled synchronization
Use read-only permissions for maximum data security
Authenticate securely via Google Cloud Platform service accounts
Enable collaborative, team-driven data entry
Prerequisites
Technical Requirements
A Google account with access to Google Sheets
Structured Google Sheets containing your debt collection data
Familiarity with Google Sheets sharing and permissions
(Optional) Basic knowledge of Google Cloud Platform
Organizational Requirements
Approval to share spreadsheet data with ClearGrid
Understanding of internal data privacy and compliance requirements
Coordination with your data-entry team for sheet maintenance
Setup Process
Step 1: Prepare Your Google Sheet
Organize debt collection data into a clear, tabular format
Use the first row for column headers (no merged cells)
Maintain consistent data types within each column
Ensure required fields are included (see below)
Step 2: Configure Sheet Permissions
ClearGrid provides a Google service account email
Share the sheet with this email, granting “Viewer” access only
Verify the service account appears under sharing settings
Step 3: Provide Details to ClearGrid
Sheet URL (full link)
Sheet ID (from the URL)
Tab Names containing data
Data Range (optional, if not the full sheet)
Sync Frequency (real-time, daily, weekly, etc.)
Technical Implementation
Authentication
ClearGrid uses a dedicated Google Cloud service account
Scope limited to:
https://www.googleapis.com/auth/spreadsheets.readonlyOAuth 2.0 authentication flow
Credentials securely managed and rotated regularly
Data Extraction
Connects via Google Sheets API v6.0.2
Reads JSON-formatted cell values from your sheets
Batch processes large datasets efficiently
Converts raw sheet data into ClearGrid’s standardized format
Synchronization Options
Real-time (instant updates when data changes)
Scheduled (hourly, daily, or weekly)
On-demand (manual trigger)
Hybrid (mix of real-time and scheduled syncs)
Data Requirements
Required Fields
account_id(unique identifier)first_name&last_nameoutstanding_balanceContact info (phone or email)
Recommended Fields
Phone number with country code
Email address
Date of birth
National ID or customer reference
Loan type/debt category
Due date and payment history
Formatting Guidelines
Dates: DD/MM/YYYY format
Currency: Numeric only, no symbols
Text: UTF-8 encoding, consistent capitalization
Boolean: TRUE/FALSE
Security
ClearGrid ensures enterprise-grade security throughout the integration:
Access Control: Read-only permissions via service account
Principle of Least Privilege: Minimal scope access
Data Privacy: Data processed directly; no intermediate storage
Transmission Security: All data transferred via HTTPS/TLS 1.2+
Monitoring: Audit logging and usage monitoring of service accounts
Monitoring & Maintenance
Health Checks: Connection status, data freshness, sync times
Alerts: Notify on permission issues, token expiry, or data validation failures
Maintenance Tasks: Regular review of sheet permissions, data audits, and performance optimization
Version Control: Leverage Google Sheets’ built-in revision history
Troubleshooting
Access Issues
Verify the service account email has Viewer permission
Double-check Sheet ID and Tab Names
Data Issues
Confirm required fields exist and formats are correct
Check for duplicates or empty rows
Performance Issues
Optimize sheet structure and limit complex formulas
Ensure large datasets are processed incrementally
Monitor Google API quota usage
Best Practices
Use one primary Google Sheet for ClearGrid integration
Keep column structure consistent and headers descriptive
Apply Google Sheets validation rules for data quality
Schedule syncs around data-entry workflows (e.g., after business hours)
Rotate service account credentials regularly
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