# Source: https://docs.squared.ai/guides/destinations/retl-destinations/productivity-tools/google-sheets.md

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.squared.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Google Sheets - Service Account

> Google Sheets serves as an effective reverse ETL destination, enabling real-time data synchronization from data warehouses to a collaborative, user-friendly spreadsheet environment. It democratizes data access, allowing stakeholders to analyze, share, and act on insights without specialized skills. The platform supports automation and customization, enhancing decision-making and operational efficiency. Google Sheets transforms complex data into actionable intelligence, fostering a data-driven culture across organizations.

<Warning>
  Google Sheets is equipped with specific data capacity constraints, which, when exceeded, can lead to synchronization issues. Here's a concise overview of these limitations:

  * **Cell Limit**: A Google Sheets document is capped at `10 million` cells, which can be spread across one or multiple sheets. Once this limit is reached, no additional data can be added, either in the form of new rows or columns.
  * **Character Limit per Cell**: Each cell in Google Sheets can contain up to `50,000` characters. It's crucial to consider this when syncing data that includes fields with lengthy text.
  * **Column Limit**: A single worksheet within Google Sheets is limited to `18,278` columns.
  * **Worksheet Limit**: There is a cap of `200` worksheets within a single Google Sheets spreadsheet.

  Given these restrictions, Google Sheets is recommended primarily for smaller, non-critical data engagements.
  It may not be the optimal choice for handling expansive data operations due to its potential for sync failures upon reaching these imposed limits.
</Warning>

## Connector Configuration and Credential Retrieval Guide

### Prerequisite Requirements

Before initiating the Google Sheet connector setup, ensure you have an created or access an [Google cloud account](https://console.cloud.google.com).

### Destination Setup

<Accordion title="Set up the Service Account Key" icon="key">
  <Steps>
    <Step title="Create a Service Account">
      * Navigate to the [Service Accounts](https://console.cloud.google.com/projectselector2/iam-admin/serviceaccounts) page in your Google Cloud console.
        <Frame>
          <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dspflukeu/image/upload/v1710246065/Multiwoven/connectors/google-sheets-service-account/service-account.png" />
        </Frame>
      * Choose an existing project or create a new one.
        <Frame>
          <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dspflukeu/image/upload/v1710246116/Multiwoven/connectors/google-sheets-service-account/service-account-form.png" />
        </Frame>
      * Click + Create service account, enter its name and description, then click Create and Continue.
      * Assign appropriate permissions, recommending the Editor role, then click Continue.
    </Step>

    <Step title="Generate a Key">
      * Access the [API Console > Credentials](https://console.cloud.google.com/apis/credentials) page, select your service account's email.
        <Frame>
          <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dspflukeu/image/upload/v1710246147/Multiwoven/connectors/google-sheets-service-account/credentials.png" />
        </Frame>
      * In the Keys tab, click + Add key and select Create new key.
      * Choose JSON as the Key type to download your authentication JSON key file. Click Continue.
        <Frame>
          <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dspflukeu/image/upload/v1710246195/Multiwoven/connectors/google-sheets-service-account/create-credentials.png" />
        </Frame>
    </Step>

    <Step title="Enable the Google Sheets API">
      * Navigate to the [API Console > Library](https://console.cloud.google.com/apis/library) page.
        <Frame>
          <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dspflukeu/image/upload/v1710246418/Multiwoven/connectors/google-sheets-service-account/api-library.png" />
        </Frame>
      * Verify that the correct project is selected at the top.
      * Find and select the Google Sheets API.
      * Click ENABLE.
        <Frame>
          <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dspflukeu/image/upload/v1710246457/Multiwoven/connectors/google-sheets-service-account/update-google-sheets-api.png" />
        </Frame>
    </Step>

    <Step title="Spreadsheet Access">
      * If your spreadsheet is link-accessible, no extra steps are needed.
      * If not, [grant your service account](https://support.google.com/a/answer/60781?hl=en\&sjid=11618327295115173982-AP) access to your spreadsheet.
    </Step>

    <Step title="Output Schema">
      * Each worksheet becomes a separate source-connector stream in AI Squared.
      * Data is coerced to string format; nested structures need further processing for analysis.
      * AI Squared replicates text via Grid Sheets only; charts and images aren't supported.
    </Step>
  </Steps>
</Accordion>