How to export and analyze Typeform responses in Google Sheets

If you’re using online forms, you’ve probably run into the limits of built-in analytics pretty fast. For folks who need to slice and dice their data—whether you’re running customer surveys, event signups, or just wrangling feedback—getting results out of the survey platform and into a spreadsheet is the real unlock. This guide shows you, step by step, how to export responses from Typeform into Google Sheets, and then actually do something useful with your data. No fluff, no “data-driven insights” jargon—just the practical stuff.

Step 1: Exporting Your Typeform Responses

Let’s start with getting your data out of Typeform and into something you can actually work with.

Option 1: Use Typeform’s Google Sheets Integration (Best for Ongoing Forms)

If you want new responses to flow straight into Google Sheets automatically, Typeform’s built-in integration is the way to go. It’s fast, reliable, and saves a ton of manual work.

How to set it up:

  1. Open your Typeform dashboard.
  2. Click on the form you want to connect.
  3. Go to the "Connect" (sometimes called "Integrations") tab.
  4. Find and select the “Google Sheets” integration.
  5. Click “Connect,” then sign in with your Google account.
  6. Choose an existing spreadsheet or let Typeform create a new one for you.
  7. Map your Typeform questions to spreadsheet columns (it usually does this automatically).
  8. Save and finish.

What works: - Every new response will show up in your sheet within a minute or two. - No downloads, uploads, or copy-pasting. - Great for ongoing surveys or forms.

What doesn’t: - It won’t bring in old responses—only new ones after you set up the integration. - If you change your form (like adding or removing questions), the mapping can get weird. Sometimes columns don’t update cleanly.

Pro tip:
If you delete or move columns in the linked Google Sheet, you can break the integration. If that happens, reconnect the integration from scratch.

Option 2: Export to CSV and Import to Google Sheets (Best for Existing Data)

If you already have a bunch of responses and just want to analyze them, exporting to CSV is the most reliable way. It’s manual, but it works every time.

How to do it:

  1. Open your Typeform dashboard and select the form.
  2. Go to the “Results” or “Responses” tab.
  3. Look for the “Export” button (usually top right).
  4. Choose “CSV” as your export format and download the file.
  5. In Google Sheets, open a new or existing sheet.
  6. Click File > Import, select “Upload,” and choose your CSV file.
  7. Pick “Insert new sheet(s)” to keep things clean.

What works: - You get all historical responses. - The CSV is yours—no syncing issues, no account permissions to wrangle.

What doesn’t: - No automatic updates. If you want fresh data, you have to repeat the export. - Sometimes CSV files have weird formatting (extra columns, odd timestamps). You might need to clean things up.

Ignore:
Don’t bother with the “Excel” export unless you have a specific reason. Google Sheets imports CSV more reliably.

Step 2: Cleaning Up Your Data in Google Sheets

Now you’ve got your data in Google Sheets—but raw form data is rarely ready for analysis. Here’s how to prep it.

1. Check Headers and Column Names

  • Make sure the first row has clear question labels. Typeform sometimes adds extra columns (like “Response ID” or “Submit Date”).
  • Rename columns if they’re confusing—the spreadsheet is for you, not for a machine.

2. Handle Dates and Times

  • Typeform exports dates as timestamps. To make them readable, use:

=ARRAYFORMULA(TEXT(A2:A, "yyyy-mm-dd hh:mm:ss"))

(Replace A2:A with your actual column.)

3. Deal with Multichoice and “Other” Answers

  • Multiple choice questions might show up as comma-separated values or as separate columns. Decide if you want to split them.
  • For “Other” text entries, scan for typos or similar entries that should be grouped.

4. Remove Junk Columns

  • Don’t be shy about deleting columns you don’t need (e.g., “Network ID,” “Score,” etc.).
  • Move the most important columns to the left so they’re easier to see.

5. Fill in Missing Data

  • Look for blanks—especially in required questions. Sometimes users skip questions if you change form settings mid-way.

Pro tip:
Freeze the header row (View > Freeze > 1 row) so you don’t lose track when scrolling.

Step 3: Analyzing Responses

Now for the part you actually care about—making sense of your data.

1. Quick Summaries with Built-In Features

  • Pivot tables: Go to Data > Pivot table to summarize results (e.g., count how many people picked each option).
  • COUNTIF/COUNTIFS: Calculate custom stats. Example:

=COUNTIF(B2:B, "Yes")

(Counts how many “Yes” responses in column B.)

  • Charts: Highlight your data and use Insert > Chart for a quick bar or pie chart.

2. Filtering and Sorting

  • Use filters (Data > Create a filter) to slice the data—e.g., show only responses from a certain date or with a specific answer.
  • Sort columns to spot trends or outliers.

3. Tagging and Grouping

  • Add new columns for manual tags or notes (e.g., “Follow-Up Needed”).
  • Group similar free-text responses together for easier tallying.

4. Combining Data Sets

  • If you’ve exported multiple CSVs (say, from different forms), use VLOOKUP or QUERY to combine them.
  • Watch out for mismatched columns—align everything before running formulas.

5. Watch for Common Pitfalls

  • Don’t trust averages blindly: Outliers or incomplete responses can skew numbers.
  • Free text is messy: Use the LEN() function to find super-short or spammy responses.
  • Dates can be inconsistent: If you see weird sorting, double-check date formatting.

Ignore:
Don’t overcomplicate your analysis with fancy add-ons unless you’ve hit a real wall. Most everyday insights come from basic formulas and charts.

Step 4: Keeping Your Data Up to Date

If you want your Google Sheet to stay current as new responses come in:

  • Integration method: No problem—new rows appear automatically.
  • CSV method: You’ll need to re-export and re-import. To avoid duplicates, consider adding a column for “Imported On” or filter by response date.

If you need a more advanced setup (like triggering custom workflows), look into tools like Zapier or Make. But for most people, the integration or a quick CSV download is enough.

Step 5: Sharing and Collaborating (Without Causing Chaos)

  • Share with care: Use Google Sheets’ sharing settings to control who can view or edit.
  • Version history: If you’re making big changes, check File > Version history so you can roll back if something breaks.
  • Comments: Use cell comments to flag weird responses or questions for your team.

If you’re working with sensitive data, double-check who’s got access. Google Sheets links are easy to forward, sometimes too easy.

Final Thoughts: Keep It Simple, Iterate Often

Exporting Typeform responses to Google Sheets isn’t rocket science, but it’s easy to get lost trying to build the “perfect” dashboard. Start simple: get your data in, clean it up, and answer the questions you actually care about. When you hit a wall, you can always add new formulas or try more advanced tools—but most people never need more than the basics.

You don’t need to be a spreadsheet wizard to get real value out of your survey data. Just keep it tidy, make sure you’re not overcomplicating things, and iterate as you go.