How can I connect N8 to Google Sheets for automated Telegram logging?

When integrating Google Sheets via n8n you might notice that the credential form is simplified compared to other third‑party tutorials. This is because n8n provides a managed OAuth2 flow for many Google services—including Google Sheets—which lets you simply click Sign in with Google rather than dealing with separate fields for OAuth Redirect URL, Client ID, and Client Secret.

Why You Don’t See Those Fields

• Managed OAuth2 for Supported Nodes:
  Nodes like Google Sheets in n8n use a preconfigured authentication flow. When you use the Sign in with Google button, n8n automatically handles the OAuth2 process behind the scenes. This means you don’t need to manually copy the OAuth Redirect URL or enter the Client ID/Secret from your Google Cloud Console.

• Different Credential Types:
  n8n offers two ways to set up Google OAuth2 credentials:

  • OAuth2 Single Service: Tailored for specific integrations (e.g. Gmail or Google Sheets). The configuration is streamlined and the individual OAuth fields are hidden.
  • OAuth2 Generic: Meant for custom operations where you might need to manually supply those fields.

Since you’re working with Google Sheets, using the single service OAuth2 integration is the recommended and supported approach.

Next Steps

1. Click “Sign in with Google”:
   In the Google Sheets node credential setup, simply click the button. This will launch the authentication flow.

2. Follow the Authentication Process:
   The authentication window will redirect you to log in with your Google account and authorize n8n to access your Google Sheets data. Once complete, n8n automatically retrieves and stores the necessary credential details.

3. No Manual Setup Required:
   There’s no need to copy an OAuth Redirect URL or manually input a Client ID/Secret when using the managed setup. This approach is designed to simplify integration and reduce configuration errors.

For more details on setting up OAuth2 for Google services in n8n, refer to the n8n documentation on Google credentials which outlines both the generic and single service approaches.

If you intended to create a custom OAuth2 credential outside of the managed flow, consider using the OAuth2 generic setup. Otherwise, for most use cases with Google Sheets, the streamlined single service method is the way to go.

Below is a quick guide to connecting n8n with Google Sheets so that a Telegram message automatically adds its details to your table.

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1. Enable the Google Sheets API

Before you start, make sure you’ve enabled the Google Sheets API in your Google Cloud project. You can do this via the Google Cloud Console. This step is crucial for authenticating and using the API in n8n.

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2. Use the Google Sheets Node in n8n

The simplest approach is to use the built‑in Google Sheets node in n8n. This node lets you perform common operations (like appending rows) without worrying about the low-level details of URLs or API parameters. To add a new row when a Telegram message is received:

1. Create a Workflow with a Telegram Trigger Node:
   Set up a workflow that starts with the Telegram Trigger Node. This node will capture details like the message text, sender, date, and time.

2. Add and Configure the Google Sheets Node:

   • Drag in the Google Sheets node and choose the Append operation (or a similar operation tailored to your needs).
   • Provide your spreadsheet’s ID and select the range (e.g., Sheet1!A1:D if your table spans columns A to D).
   • Map the incoming data (timestamp, sender, etc.) from the Telegram node to the corresponding columns.

This method abstracts away manually constructing API requests and handling endpoints.

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3. Using the HTTP Request Node (Advanced)

If you prefer to manually configure the HTTP request rather than using the dedicated node, you’ll work directly with the Sheets API endpoint.

Endpoint for Appending Data:

When you want to append data rather than create a new spreadsheet, use the following endpoint:

POST https://sheets.googleapis.com/v4/spreadsheets/{spreadsheetId}/values/{range}:append?valueInputOption=USER_ENTERED

Replace {spreadsheetId} with your actual spreadsheet ID and {range} with the target range (for example, Sheet1!A1:D).

Example JSON Payload:

JSONCopied
{
  "range": "Sheet1!A1:D1",
  "majorDimension": "ROWS",
  "values": [
    [
      "2023-10-10 10:00:00", 
      "Alice", 
      "Hello from Telegram!", 
      "Additional detail if needed"
    ]
  ]
}

Notes:

• The query parameter valueInputOption=USER_ENTERED tells Google Sheets how to interpret your data.
• In n8n, you would use the HTTP Request node and set the method to POST, include your URL (with the appropriate spreadsheet ID and range), and pass the JSON payload containing the new row data.

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Summary

• For most users: Use the built-in Google Sheets node in n8n. Just set up a workflow that triggers on a Telegram message and then append your data directly.

• For advanced configurations: Use the HTTP Request node with the URL:

  POST https://sheets.googleapis.com/v4/spreadsheets/{spreadsheetId}/values/{range}:append?valueInputOption=USER_ENTERED
  

  and supply a JSON object that includes your data.

Following these steps should help you connect Telegram to Google Sheets through n8n and have your desired details automatically recorded. If you have any specific questions about mapping your data or authentication, feel free to ask!