How I Create Custom n8n Dashboards To Automate Anything (Google Sheets)

Key Concepts

Custom dashboards, Google Sheets, N8N automation, data input, data output, webhooks, Google Apps Script, conditional logic, CRM integration, workflow automation, triggers, filters, HTTP requests, GoHighLevel, Pipedrive, PandaDoc, customer lifecycle management.

Custom Dashboard Creation with Google Sheets and N8N

Introduction

The video demonstrates how to build custom dashboards in Google Sheets, powered by N8N, for various business applications. The dashboards are designed to be quick to build and offer extensive customization options. Four examples are provided: recruitment, editing project management, event scheduling, and a mini sales CRM.

Examples of Dashboard Applications

1. Recruitment Dashboard: Automates the recruitment process by importing candidates from Indeed, automatically rejecting unqualified candidates, sending questionnaires, evaluating responses, sending tests (e.g., photo editing, content writing), and scheduling interviews. This saves hours of manual work.
2. Editing Project Management: Manages hundreds of editing projects by automatically adding projects to a Google Sheet, tracking file uploads, editor assignments, quality control, client approvals, and revision requests. This removes the need for manual project oversight.
3. Event Schedule: Posts all events and allows for easy notification of contractors or clients with a click of a button.
4. Mini Sales CRM: The video focuses on building this example, which automates lead capture, follow-up, and invoice sending.

Building a Mini Sales CRM

Data Input: Capturing Leads from a Website Form

1. N8N Trigger: An "On Form Submission" trigger is created in N8N, linked to a quote form.
2. Form Creation: A quote form is built within N8N, including fields for first name, last name, email, phone number, and budget.
3. Google Sheets Integration: The "Append/Update Row" module in N8N is used to add form data to a Google Sheet.
4. Authentication: Google Sheets credentials are created within N8N.
5. Sheet Selection: The specific Google Sheet and sheet number (tab) are selected.
6. Data Mapping: Form fields are mapped to corresponding columns in the Google Sheet.
7. Search Column: Email is chosen as the search column to update existing entries or create new ones.
8. Conditional Logic: An expression is used to automatically mark candidates as "rejected" based on their budget (e.g., if budget is less than $1,000, mark as rejected). The if statement is used: {{$json["budget"] >= 1000 ? "false" : "true"}}.
9. Stage Updates: The stage column is automatically updated to "new lead" when a new form is submitted.

Data Input: Sales Call Form

1. Duplicate Workflow: The initial workflow is duplicated to create a sales call workflow.
2. Sales Call Form: A new form is created with fields relevant to a sales call, such as package selection and service date.
3. Google Sheets Update: The Google Sheet is updated with data from the sales call form, including the selected package and service date.
4. Stage Updates: The stage column is updated to "sales call".

Data Output: Sending Invoices

1. Google Apps Script: A Google Apps Script is used to trigger N8N workflows when a cell is edited in the Google Sheet.
2. Script Setup: The script is copied and pasted into the Google Apps Script editor, and the N8N webhook URL is added.
3. N8N Webhook Trigger: A new workflow is created in N8N with a "Webhook" trigger.
4. Trigger Configuration: The HTTP method is set to "POST".
5. Google Sheets Trigger: A trigger is added in the Google Apps Script to fire the webhook on edit. The onEdit event type is selected.
6. Authorization: The script is authorized to send data from the Google Sheet.
7. Switch Node: A "Switch" node is used to route the workflow based on the column that was edited (e.g., column G for sending emails, column H for sending calendar invites, column I for sending invoices).
8. Filter Node: A "Filter" node is used to ensure that the workflow only proceeds if the value in the edited cell is "true".
9. Email Sending: A Gmail module is used to send emails, pulling the recipient's email from the Google Sheet.
10. Invoice Sending (GoHighLevel Integration):
    • An HTTP Request module is used to send a POST request to a GoHighLevel CRM.
    • The GoHighLevel webhook URL is used as the endpoint.
    • The email and package data from the Google Sheet are included in the request body.
    • GoHighLevel automation is configured to create a new client, select the appropriate package, and send a CRM integration proposal.

Key Arguments and Perspectives

• Automation Efficiency: The speaker emphasizes the time-saving benefits of automating business processes using custom dashboards.
• Customization: The speaker highlights the flexibility and customization options offered by building dashboards with Google Sheets and N8N.
• Data-Driven Decisions: The speaker suggests that these dashboards can provide valuable insights into customer behavior and business performance.

Notable Quotes

• "The cool thing is is that these are super quick and super easy to build out but the options for how you can use these are essentially endless."
• "So what took me hours before it takes me a couple minutes."
• "We have data coming in from any source we want to and it's sent through NAN and we can update things in here."
• "You're creating a custom dashboard that you can do essentially anything you want with."

Technical Terms and Concepts

• N8N: A workflow automation platform.
• Webhook: A mechanism for sending real-time data between applications.
• Google Apps Script: A cloud-based scripting language for automating tasks in Google Workspace.
• HTTP Request: A method for sending data over the internet.
• CRM: Customer Relationship Management.
• GoHighLevel: A marketing and sales platform.
• PandaDoc: A document automation platform.
• Trigger: An event that starts a workflow.
• Filter: A condition that determines whether a workflow proceeds.
• Switch: A node that routes a workflow based on a condition.
• Expression: A formula or code snippet used to manipulate data.

Logical Connections

The video logically connects the concepts of data input, data processing, and data output. Data is inputted into the Google Sheet via forms or webhooks, processed using N8N workflows, and outputted through actions such as sending emails or invoices. The Google Apps Script acts as a bridge between the Google Sheet and N8N, enabling real-time triggering of workflows based on cell edits.

Synthesis/Conclusion

The video provides a comprehensive guide to building custom dashboards using Google Sheets and N8N. By automating data input and output, businesses can streamline their processes, save time, and make data-driven decisions. The examples provided demonstrate the versatility of these dashboards and their potential to improve efficiency across various business functions. The speaker also promotes his school community for further learning and access to additional resources.