Keep the list. Make the certificates.

A sheet can hold all the details: names, roles, dates, and email addresses. Import recipient rows from a public URL, then place the columns on your design. The API reads the sheet; your browser makes the PDFs.

Keep your sheet private if it contains sensitive information. A downloaded CSV works too.

Open Certificate ToolFull visual guide

How do I generate certificates from Google Sheets?

The fastest path is Google Forms → Google Sheets → Certly → Gmail. Each step below maps to a section in our user guide.

  1. 1

    Collect responses in Google Sheets

    Create a Google Form or spreadsheet with participant names and emails. Link form responses to a sheet if using Google Forms.

  2. 2

    Make the sheet publicly viewable

    In Google Sheets: Share → General access → Anyone with the link → Viewer. Copy the sheet URL.

  3. 3

    Upload your certificate template

    In Certly, upload a PNG or JPG design (export from Canva or Figma if needed).

  4. 4

    Import the Google Sheet URL

    Paste the public sheet link in the import step. Map columns such as name and email to certificate fields.

  5. 5

    Generate PDFs and send via Gmail

    Generate personalized certificates locally, download a ZIP, or connect Gmail OAuth to send bulk email with attachments.

Google Forms → Sheets → Certificates workflow

Most organizers already use Google Forms for registrations. When responses land in a sheet, Certly treats that sheet like a mail-merge data source — similar to printing labels from a spreadsheet, except the output is personalized PDF certificates.

  • Form responses sync to a Google Sheet automatically when you enable the responses spreadsheet.
  • Public view access lets Certly fetch CSV data without Google OAuth for the sheet itself.
  • Local PDF generation keeps names and emails on your device (IndexedDB) instead of a vendor cloud.
  • Gmail OAuth sends each certificate from your own inbox when you choose email delivery.

Which data source should you use?

All workflows in Certly generate certificates the same way. Choose based on where your participant data lives:

Data source comparison for certificate generation
Your data sourceRecommended workflowWhy
Google Sheets (public URL)Google Sheets workflow (this page)Live data; no re-download needed between runs
Excel or CSV file on your computerCSV/Excel workflowFile upload; no public URL sharing required
Google Forms responsesGoogle Forms workflowResponses reach Sheets; refresh the Certly import yourself
Private or frequently updated dataCSV/Excel workflowNo sharing required; stays on your device

How Certly compares to alternatives

Honest comparison for event organizers — not an enterprise LMS or verifiable credential platform.

Comparison of certificate approaches for Google Sheets data
ApproachGoogle Sheets importPrivacy / data uploadCost
Certly Public sheet URLLocal browser generation; no roster hostingFree
Manual Canva editing Manual copy/pasteData stays local but hours of laborCanva free tier limits
Typical SaaS certificate tools CSV / Sheets / APIParticipant data uploaded to vendor cloudOften freemium or per-certificate pricing

Is my Google Sheet data stored on your servers?

The API reads the public sheet and returns its rows to your browser. The local session holds the rows and finished PDFs; Certly does not offer a hosted roster database or cloud backup.

Read the full breakdown in our privacy policy.

Questions / Answers

Google Sheets certificate FAQ

Common questions from event organizers

Can Certly read a private Google Sheet?

No. The URL must allow anyone with the link to view. The API reads the sheet and returns its rows to your browser. For a private roster, export a CSV instead.

Does this work with Google Forms responses?

Yes. Link the form responses to a sheet, review the rows you want to recognize, then import that public sheet. Refresh the import yourself when responses change.

What columns does my Google Sheet need?

Use a header row and one recipient per row. Keep names, dates, and roles in separate columns. Include email addresses if you plan to send with Gmail.

Does a Sheets import pass through the server?

Yes. The API reads the public sheet and returns the data to your browser, where the batch is saved and PDFs are generated. There is no hosted roster library.

How is this different from Certify’em or Certifier?

Certly makes downloadable PDFs from your imported recipient rows. It does not offer submission-triggered certificates, a verification portal, or LMS integration.

Give the rows their place on the page.

Bring your image and a public sheet URL. Review a few names before making the batch.

Start with Google Sheets

Keep reading

Related workflows and answers from the rest of the site.