If you’re running surveys and need to get responses into Google Sheets, you’re probably tired of slow, clunky exports or copying/pasting data by hand. You want a process that just works—ideally, one you set up once and then forget about. This guide is for anyone using Survey Sparrow who wants a clear, no-nonsense way to move survey results into Google Sheets, whether you’re a marketer, product manager, or just the person everyone asks to “pull the data.”
Let’s get right to it.
Why Export Survey Sparrow Responses to Google Sheets?
Before diving into the how, let’s be clear on the why—because it influences the best method for you.
- Google Sheets is flexible. You can filter, analyze, and share survey data with your team easily.
- Survey Sparrow’s built-in reports can be limiting. Sometimes you just need raw data for your own charts or dashboards.
- Automation saves headaches. Manual exports get old fast if you run recurring surveys.
If you just need a one-off export, Survey Sparrow’s native export tool might be enough. But if you want your Sheets to update automatically whenever new responses come in, you’ll want an integration.
Step 1: Decide Between Manual Export and Automation
There are two main paths here:
- Manual Export: Download CSV or Excel files from Survey Sparrow, then upload to Sheets.
- Automated Sync: Set up an integration so new responses flow into Google Sheets automatically.
Manual export is dead simple, but… - It’s fine for an occasional report. - It gets tedious if you run surveys regularly. - You’ll always be a step behind—no real-time updates.
Automated sync takes more effort upfront, but… - Your Google Sheet stays up to date. - No more “Can you send me the latest data?” emails. - It’s set-and-forget (mostly).
Honest take: If your survey runs once or twice a year, don’t overcomplicate it—just export manually. If you collect responses all the time, automation will save your sanity.
Step 2: Manual Export—Quick and Clean
If you’ve decided manual is enough, here’s how:
- Log in to Survey Sparrow.
- Go to your survey, and open the Results or Reports section.
- Look for the Export button (usually in the top right).
- Choose your format: CSV or Excel (CSV is usually safest for Sheets).
- Download the file.
- Open Google Sheets, click “File > Import,” and select your downloaded CSV.
Pro tip:
Google Sheets handles CSV files better than Excel if your survey includes odd characters or emojis.
What works:
- Fast and reliable for small datasets.
- You control when to update.
What doesn’t:
- No live updates—each export is a snapshot in time.
- You’ll have to redo the steps every time you want fresh data.
Ignore:
Survey Sparrow has built-in charts, but they’re basic. Don’t expect in-depth analysis there—get your data into Sheets for real work.
Step 3: Automated Export—Using Survey Sparrow’s Google Sheets Integration
Survey Sparrow offers a direct integration with Google Sheets, but it’s not perfect. Here’s how to set it up, plus a candid look at its strengths and quirks.
Setting Up the Integration
- Log in to Survey Sparrow.
- Head to your survey’s dashboard.
- Find the Integrations tab (usually on the left or top menu).
- Look for Google Sheets Integration and click to set up.
- Connect your Google account. You’ll have to grant permissions—this is normal.
- Choose:
- Which Google Sheet to send responses to (you can create a new one).
- Whether to send all past responses or only new ones.
- How to map survey fields to columns in the Sheet.
- Save and activate the integration.
Heads up:
- Each new survey typically creates a new Sheet, or a new tab in an existing one, depending on your settings.
- If your survey changes (like you add or remove questions), the integration can get confused. You might see blank columns or misaligned data.
- Sometimes there’s a delay—data doesn’t always land in Sheets instantly, but usually within a few minutes.
What Works Well
- Hands-off: Once it’s set up, every new response appears in Sheets automatically.
- Simple mapping: The integration walks you through matching survey questions to Sheet columns.
What Doesn’t
- No historical sync by default: If you connect after collecting responses, you might need to manually export old data first.
- Limited formatting: The data lands as-is. You’ll need to clean it up if you want anything fancy.
- Breaks if you rename columns or questions: Try not to edit your survey structure after connecting.
Ignore
- Any promise of “advanced analytics” in the integration. You’re on your own for that—Google Sheets is just the raw data dump.
Step 4: Using Zapier or Make (for More Complex Automation)
If you want to do more than just dump data—or need more flexibility than Survey Sparrow’s integration offers—Zapier and Make are your friends.
When to consider this: - You want to send data to multiple Sheets or apps. - You need to add logic (e.g., only send certain responses). - The built-in integration is too limiting, or keeps breaking.
Setting Up a Zap (With Zapier)
- Sign up for Zapier (free tier is fine for most small surveys).
- Create a new Zap.
- Trigger: Choose Survey Sparrow and set “New Survey Response” as the trigger.
- Action: Choose Google Sheets, and pick “Create Spreadsheet Row.”
- Connect your Survey Sparrow and Google accounts.
- Map survey fields to Sheet columns.
- Test the Zap, save, and turn it on.
Pros: - More control over which responses go to Sheets. - You can add filters, conditions, even send Slack notifications at the same time.
Cons: - Slightly more setup than direct integration. - Zapier free tier limits how many tasks you can run per month.
Pro tip:
If you run into formatting headaches (like dates or multi-select answers not coming through cleanly), use a “Formatter” step in Zapier to tidy things up before sending it to Sheets.
Using Make (Integromat)
Make is similar to Zapier, just a bit more technical. The steps are nearly the same: trigger on Survey Sparrow response, then add a Google Sheets action. Use Make if you need really custom workflows, or want to save money at higher volume.
Step 5: Keeping Your Data Clean in Google Sheets
No matter how you get your data into Sheets, you’ll probably need to clean it up a bit.
- Check for extra blank columns or rows. The integrations aren’t perfect.
- Standardize date formats—Survey Sparrow and Google Sheets sometimes disagree.
- Watch for weird line breaks or special characters if your survey allows open text.
Pro tip:
Set up a second “clean” tab in your Sheet that references the raw data tab, so you can format and analyze without messing up the incoming data.
Step 6: (Optional) Automate Reporting or Alerts
Once your data is in Google Sheets, you can set up all sorts of automations:
- Use Google Sheets’ built-in email notifications for new responses.
- Build live charts or dashboards.
- Share the Sheet (view-only) with your team, so no one accidentally overwrites the data.
If you want to get fancier, connect Google Sheets to Data Studio or Looker Studio for slicker dashboards. But honestly, for most people, just using Sheets is enough.
Wrap-Up: Keep It Simple, Iterate As Needed
Exporting Survey Sparrow responses to Google Sheets isn’t rocket science—but it pays to pick the right method for your needs. If you’re running a one-time survey, don’t bother with automation. If you need ongoing updates, set up the integration or use Zapier and forget about it.
Start simple, see what breaks, and only get fancier if you actually need to. The best process is the one you actually use—and don’t have to think about again.
Happy exporting.