How to copy and fill in placeholders in Google Sheets when an email is received in Gmail

Relay.app is an automation tool that lets you automate actions across Gmail, Google Sheets, and many other apps. In this guide, we'll show you how to use Relay.app to automatically run the Google SheetsCopy & fill in {{placeholders}}” action for each GmailEmail received” event.
Gmail logoGmail > Google Sheets
Trigger
Last triggered
Gmail logoEmail received
Google Sheets logoCopy & fill in {{placeholders}}
1

Set the Gmail trigger as "Email received"

Every playbook starts with a trigger. The trigger detects changes in your connected apps and runs your playbook in response.

Click "Add trigger" and select "Email received" under Gmail. Then, select the relevant details. This trigger will automatically detect all the specific emails received in Gmail and trigger necessary actions.

If this is your first time using a Gmail integration in Relay, you'll be prompted to connect your Gmail account.

2

Add the "Copy & fill in {{placeholders}}" in Google Sheets automation

Integrate the Google Sheets automation into your playbook to ensure the specific spreadsheets are copied and fill in placeholders for specific emails received in Gmail.

Click the "Add step" button, then locate the "Copy & fill in {{placeholders}}" automation for Google Sheets and input the mandatory and relevant details.

If your Google Sheets account isn't already connected to Relay.app, you will be prompted to complete that connection. Make sure to allow the necessary permissions for Relay.app to sync with your Google Sheets account.

3

Activate your Relay.app playbook

Activating your playbook is the final step to automate copying and updating the specific Google Sheets. Once turned on, it will respond to the detected email received in Gmail by copying and filling in the placeholder of the corresponding Google Sheets without manual intervention.

To enable your playbook, click the toggle button located in the header. It is advisable to perform a test run of your playbook beforehand to ensure all steps work seamlessly together and reminders are being sent correctly.

Watch the demo

See all blog posts ➔

More how-to guides featuring Gmail and Google Sheets

See all how-to guides ➔

What will you automate?

Sign up and get started with your first Relay.app playbook today.
Background image