Why Are API Credential Fields Missing in the Google Sheets OAuth2 Window?

It sounds like you might be expecting a legacy or manually configured API key setup. n8n now uses OAuth2 for Google Sheets, so instead of a long list of manual fields you’ll simply see the option to “Sign in with Google” when setting up your Google Sheets credentials.

Here are a few steps to help you:

1. Check the Credentials Panel
   In n8n’s credentials section, create or open your Google Sheets credential. You should see a “Sign in with Google” button instead of a manual API key form. This is by design—n8n is set up to use Google's OAuth2 flow for authentication.

2. Ensure You’ve Enabled the Required APIs
   Before connecting via OAuth2, make sure that the relevant Google APIs (e.g., the Google Sheets API) are enabled in your Google Cloud project. You can do this in the Google Cloud Console under “APIs & Services > Library.”

3. Follow the OAuth2 Setup Process
   If you haven’t already:

   • Create a Google Cloud project.
   • Enable the Google Sheets API (and others as required).
   • Configure your OAuth consent screen.
   • Create your Google OAuth client credentials and use the OAuth redirect URL provided by n8n.

   These steps ensure that your OAuth2 connection is correctly set up.

4. Using the Google Sheets Node
   Once your credentials are in place, use the Google Sheets node in your workflow. The node will rely on the credentials you’ve set up and won’t require manual API key entry. All operations (create, update, delete rows/sheets, etc.) are handled through that OAuth2 connection.

If you’re still not seeing the credentials field or the “Sign in with Google” option:

• Double-check that you’re in the correct part of the n8n interface (the Credentials list, not the node settings).
• Make sure you are running a version of n8n that supports the built-in Google OAuth2 flow.
• Refer to the n8n documentation on Google Sheets credentials for guidance.

This streamlined OAuth2 process means you won’t see many fields to manually enter API information. Let me know if this helps or if you need any further assistance!

It sounds like you're encountering the new OAuth2 authentication approach instead of manually entering API fields. For Google Sheets, n8n uses OAuth2 so you won't see multiple input fields for API info—instead, you'll see a single “Sign in with Google” button that takes care of that for you.

Here’s what you need to do:

1. Set up your Google Cloud project:
   Ensure you’ve created a Google Cloud project and enabled the required APIs (for Google Sheets you also need to have the Google Drive API enabled).

2. Use the n8n Credentials UI:
   When adding credentials in n8n for Google Sheets, you should only be prompted to click “Sign in with Google.” This automatically handles the OAuth2 flow where you authenticate with your Google account and grant the necessary permissions.

3. Confirm API Enabling:
   If you don’t see the authentication button or expected fields, double-check that you have enabled the proper APIs on the Google Cloud Console. You can refer to the steps on enabling APIs via the Google Cloud Console.

If you’ve confirmed both of the above and still don’t see the credential setup as expected, you could be using an older version or misconfigured instance of n8n. In that case, checking the Google Sheets credentials documentation for additional guidance might help.

This approach is by design—n8n manages the OAuth details for you, so you don’t have to fill out multiple API details manually.

It sounds like you’re seeing the simplified Google Sheets credentials UI in n8n. Unlike some tutorials that show multiple fields for manual entry (which you’d see when setting up generic OAuth2 credentials), the default Google Sheets integration in n8n only requires you to click the Sign in with Google button.

Here are a few things to check:

• Using the Correct Credential Type:
  n8n provides a dedicated Google Sheets credential, so instead of a form with individual fields (like entering client ID and secret manually), you use the built-in “Sign in with Google” authentication. This simplifies the process and avoids errors in manual entry.

• API Enablement in Google Cloud:
  Ensure you’ve enabled the Google Sheets API (and the required Google Drive API, as it's necessary for Google Sheets) in your Google Cloud project. Instructions for enabling these APIs are covered in the n8n documentation, which shows that after selecting your project, you need to open the APIs & Services > Library, search for the APIs, and hit ENABLE.

• Credential Set-Up in n8n:
  When creating your workflow, add the Google Sheets node. In the node’s credentials section, if your “Sign in with Google” button isn’t showing the usual fields, it’s by design. Click the button and complete the OAuth flow; n8n will then handle the API credentials behind the scenes.

If you’re still not seeing the Sign in option or if something seems off, double-check the version of n8n you’re using and your browser’s console for any error messages. Sometimes the interface might be affected by the browser cache or version differences.

In summary, the absence of manual fields in your interface is expected behavior for the default Google Sheets credentials in n8n. Just click Sign in with Google to complete the authentication flow.