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Using a Google Sheet to Add Punches to an Employee (using Zapier).
Using a Google Sheet to Add Punches to an Employee (using Zapier).

This will describe the process of punching in an employee using a Google Sheet. A Zapier account is required.

Nick avatar
Written by Nick
Updated over a week ago

First you'll need to create a Google Sheet. You can do so by signing up for a free account here. Create a Google Sheet with a name you remember, in our example, we're creating one called "Zapier Employee List."  Then create a WorkSheet in your sheet. In our example, we're creating one called "Punches Testing."  Then add the following headings in your Google Sheet (first row):

  • User ID

  • Punch Date-Time

  • Location

  • Department

  • Note

  • Latitude

  • Longitude

Next, you will need to sign in to your Zapier account. If you don't have one, you can sign up here. Once you have your Zapier account, from the left-hand menu click Zaps and then either Create Zap or Make a New Zap:

You will then want to name your Zap and search for and then add Google Sheets:

Once you've chosen Google Sheets as your first app, you will then need to choose a trigger. It's up to you to decide how you'd like your sheet to work. In this example, we'll be choosing the "New Spreadsheet Row" option:

You will then need to connect to a Google Sheet account. You can do this by clicking the Sign in to Google Sheets button. Doing so will cause a box to popup where you can choose the account you'd like to login to and allow Zapier permission.

Once your account has been linked and is selected in the Google Sheets account dropdown, click CONTINUE:

You will now be connected to your Google Sheets account. You will be able to select the spreadsheet you'd like to access - in this example it would be Zapier Employee List - and select the Worksheet as well which is Punch Testing. Click CONTINUE once you've made your selection:

You will then be asked if you want to test the trigger. Please know, if you test the trigger you will need to add test data to a row in your Google Spreadsheet. Once you've reviewed the information pulled in, click CONTINUE:

For the next part of the Zap, you'll be setting up the Buddy Punch app. Just search Buddy Punch and click the app icon once it populates:

You will then need to select which action you'd like to be taken once you add a new row to your spreadsheet. In this example, we'll be punching an employee in:

You will now need to connect your Buddy Punch account to Zapier if you haven't already. Once your Buddy Punch account has been linked, click the CONTINUE button:

Next, you will need to match Buddy Punch fields to the fields you've created in your spreadsheet. Just click each box and find the corresponding Google Sheet header option. If you don't see it when first clicking, choose the "Custom" option:

Once done, click CONTINUE. You can then choose to test the Zap (you will need to enter employee test data into the spreadsheet) or you can click the Skip Test button. To finish, click the Turn On Zap button.

Using the Zap

To use this Zap to punch employees in and out, you need to add information to your Google Sheet. One important thing to note is the User ID. User ID's for employees can be found in Buddy Punch by visiting their profile. In this example, the User ID is 318105.

You can then go to your Google Sheet and enter in that User ID and any other applicable information. This zap will run every 15 minutes.

If you go to your time card you can see that your employee is now punched in. Please note: Punches will show which user is punching them in, even from Zapier.  If an admin punches an employee in, the punch will show as "Changed by Manager" and the User in the history of the punch will show the admin.

That's it!  Now you can experiment with other zaps and integrations!

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