While Integrate Google Sheets with Cascade article details on the steps to integrate Google Sheets directly with Cascade, we're now going to see how the same integration can be achieved via Zapier. Zapier allows us to set triggers and actions according to what outcomes you need. In this case, we'll be using Zapier to update a measure's progress in Cascade from new or updated spreadsheet rows in Google Sheets. With this automated process, you would no longer need to go into each measure in Cascade periodically to update progress. This is especially valuable for metric/KPI updates in bulk.
Before you begin, ensure these pre-requisites are met:
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A spreadsheet in your Google Drive account with measure-progress values.
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A 'measure' in Cascade that has Zapier chosen as the tracking type, initial and target values defined.
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Zapier account
See How to Use Zapier with Cascade article to establish a connection between Cascade and Zapier.
1. Create the Zap:
When you select Zapier from the measure's tracking section, a modal pop-up redirects you to Zapier. Click + Create Zap from the left navigation pane.
You'll now see the Zap's builder interface. On the top-left, enter the name for your Zap.
2. Set up the Zap Trigger:
The trigger is the changes in Google Sheets that will tell Zapier to perform the rest of the actions. To add the trigger, simply search for "Google Sheets" and select it. Choose the action that you wish to trigger with Zapier, for this example we'll use the New or Updated Spreadsheet Row trigger.
Click Continue. Sign in to your Google Account. Follow Google's instructions to connect your Google account with Zapier, and click Continue.
Now, select the spreadsheet, worksheet, trigger column (the column that has the measure's value), and click Continue.
Click Test Trigger to test the connection. Zapier will pick a sample retrieved from your sheet for you to set up your Zap.
3. Set up the Zap Action:
Now that Zapier has retrieved the value from your Google Sheet, we need to get it into Cascade. To add the action, search for Cascade Free, and select it.
Currently, with Zapier integration, you can only update an action or measure's progress. However, we'll be adding more events and triggers in future. If there're any additional triggers or events that you would like to see us support, please let us know via live chat.
Select Update Measure Current Value as action, and click Continue. Sign in to your Cascade account. If you wish to update historical value, see Integrate Google Drive with Cascade.
Now, select the workspace, plan, measure, and the measure value (the value selected in Trigger Column in previous step), and click Continue.
Click Test and Continue. Zapier will retrieve the exact value from the specified column. Proceed to publish your Zap. Even if the test fails, skip the test and proceed to publish.
Click Publish & Turn On. You've now successfully established the trigger and action. Sit back and spend your efforts in the next work as the automation is now ON, and your values will get updated automatically in Cascade, every time you change values in the spreadsheet.
Go to Cascade, and in the measure that you chose Zapier as tracking, you'll see the progress updated. It might take a while to reflect the progress.
For more help with the Google Sheets-Zapier workflows, please search for "Google Sheets" here in Zapier Help Center.
FAQs
My test with Zapier was unsuccessful. How should I proceed?
You can skip the test, and proceed to publish the Zap. It might still reflect the progress in Cascade perfectly. But if it does not update the value, then reach out to us.
The connection to Cascade was established but its not listing the workspaces.
Start a new Zap connection and redo all the steps. It might work with a new Zap, but if the problem persists, please reach out to us.