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Trigger: Row addedAction: Send approval request

Send an approval request when a Google Sheet row is added

Turn a spreadsheet into an approval workflow. When a new request row is added, the approver gets an email with Approve and Decline buttons — and the decision is written back to the row automatically.

Add to Google Sheets — free See the template

Installs in 30 seconds · No credit card · Works inside Google Sheets

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What it does

This automation watches a sheet for new rows (purchase requests, time-off requests, content drafts…). For each one, it emails the approver a summary of the row with one-click Approve/Decline buttons. The result column updates to pending, then approved or declined — no login, no extra tool, full audit trail in the sheet.

How to set it up

  1. Install Sheet Automation from the Google Workspace Marketplace and open it from your request sheet.
  2. Pick the “Send approval request” template and set the approver's email address.
  3. Choose the result column where the decision should be written.
  4. Save. Add a request row — the approver gets the email, and their decision lands in the sheet.

The ready-made template

Send approval request when a row is added — Trigger: a new row is added → Action: email an approval request and write the decision to column H. Edit it live below:

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How to use this template

The builder above is a live preview of this automation. To run it in your own spreadsheet:

  1. Click Add to Google Sheets to install Sheet Automation (free).
  2. Open it from your sheet: Extensions → Sheet Automation → Open.
  3. Open the Templates tab and choose “Send approval request when a row is added”.
  4. Adjust the fields to match your data, then click Save.
  5. Trigger it once to confirm the automation runs.

FAQ

Does the approver need to install anything?
No. They approve or decline with one click from the email — no login or add-on required.
Where is the decision stored?
In the result column you choose. It shows pending when the request is sent, then approved or declined.
Can the approver come from the row itself?
Yes. Use a placeholder like {column_E} as the recipient to route each request to a different approver.

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