Module 7 Lesson 5: Google Forms Automation

Google Forms is the fastest way to collect data from customers or employees. With n8n, a "Form Submission" becomes the "Engine" for a complex business process.

1. How it Works (The Sheet Link)

Google Forms doesn't have a native "Push" trigger. Instead, you link your form to a Google Sheet.

1. Form: User clicks "Submit."
2. Sheet: A new row appears automatically.
3. n8n: The "Google Sheets Trigger" (Module 7, Lesson 1) detects the new row.

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2. Real-time Responses

Because n8n watches the sheet, you can:

• Instant SMS: Send a "Thanks" text 1 second after they hit submit.
• Route to Sales: If they select "Budget > $5,000," notify the executive team.
• Auto-Archive: Move the form data to a local Postgres database.

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Visualizing the Process

graph TD
    Start[Input] --> Process[Processing]
    Process --> Decision{Check}
    Decision -->|Success| End[Complete]
    Decision -->|Retry| Process

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3. Dealing with Multiple Choice & Arrays

If your form has a "Which services do you need?" checkbox, Google puts the answer in one cell: "Web Design, SEO, Hosting".

• The Fix: Use the String Split (Module 4, Lesson 2) to turn that one string into an Array that n8n can process as separate items.

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4. Summary of Module 7

App	Strength in n8n
Sheets	The Database.
Gmail	The Inbox.
Drive	The Filing Cabinet.
Calendar	The Schedule.
Forms	The Listener.

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Exercise: The Lead Machine

1. Create a Google Form with 2 fields: Your Name and Budget.
2. Link it to a Google Sheet.
3. Setup an n8n workflow that triggers on a new row in that sheet.
4. If Budget is over 1000, send a Slack message.
5. Why is it better to use "Google Forms" for a simple contact page than building a custom HTML form with a Webhook? (Hint: See Module 6, Lesson 3).
6. Research: What is the "Google Forms API" and can it be used to CREATE forms automatically?

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Summary

You have completed Module 7: Google Workspace Nodes. You can now automate the most powerful office suite in the world. By connecting Sheets, Gmail, Drive, and Calendar, you have built a "Digital Office" that runs itself.

Next Module: Relationship management: Module 8: CRM Automation (HubSpot, Salesforce).