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How to replace placeholders in a Google Doc template with form submissions in Zapier?

  • February 21, 2024
  • 11 replies
  • 1531 views

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Hi Community,

 

I want to connect a website form to google doc. I want when someone submit a form, it should create a document based on my template document.

 

Here is template document, I’ve connect to document but I’m confuse how I should add placeholder to my template, that will be replaced when someone will submit a form.

 

I’m using textarea field in my form. I’ve tried to add {{Textarea 1}} in form where I need data.

 

Please can someone help me to sort out this.

 

Thanks

Clent

Best answer by ken.a

Hi there @clent,

I’m jumping in to see if I can help!

You'll want to remove the formatting on each template field that is causing issues. Please note, this process will also remove any other formatting for the highlighted text. Here's the process to follow:

  1. Highlight the template field(s).
  2. Click on the "Format" menu.
  3. Click on the "Remove formatting" option.
  4. Go back to your Zap's Create Document from Template Action Step
  5. Click the "Refresh Fields" button near the bottom of the page.
  6. The template field should appear.

To help you with this, here's an animation showing how the process works: https://zappy.zapier.com/B85A99A3-E88F-4186-AA8C-2B67D9076FD2.gif

If that still doesn't resolve the issue, can you please try to delete and retype the text around each template field along with each template field itself?

Hopefully, this helps!
 

This post has been closed for comments. Please create a new post if you need help or have a question about this topic.

11 replies

Troy Tessalone
Zapier Orchestrator & Solution Partner
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  • Zapier Orchestrator & Solution Partner
  • February 21, 2024

Hi @clent 

Help article to reference for GDoc templates: https://zapier.com/blog/create-autopopulate-google-docs-template/


Forum|alt.badge.img
  • Author
  • Beginner
  • February 22, 2024

Hi @Troy Tessalone I followed the tutorial but it is not working fine. Here is my template, please can you help me to add correct placeholders?

 

I can’t see this option in my zap where I can match fields. I’ve forminator form on my website, I use webhook to catch data then move to Google doc.

 


Troy Tessalone
Zapier Orchestrator & Solution Partner
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  • Zapier Orchestrator & Solution Partner
  • February 22, 2024

@clent 

Try removing special characters like ? and ,

 


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  • Author
  • Beginner
  • February 22, 2024

@Troy Tessalone I tried but still this is not working.


Troy Tessalone
Zapier Orchestrator & Solution Partner
Forum|alt.badge.img+14
  • Zapier Orchestrator & Solution Partner
  • February 22, 2024

@clent 

Try completely removing the {{Variable}} then adding it back.

Then click the [Refresh Fields] button in the Zap step config.


Forum|alt.badge.img
  • Author
  • Beginner
  • February 23, 2024

@Troy Tessalone thanks for helping.

 

I did same but still it is not working. even there is one simple field without any special charater (i.e , or ?) but still not getting result for this field.

 

Did you check format of my template doc? Is that ok to use for Zap?


Troy Tessalone
Zapier Orchestrator & Solution Partner
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  • Zapier Orchestrator & Solution Partner
  • February 23, 2024

@clent 

Try completely removing the {{Variable}} then adding it back.

It can take some trial and error to get the variable to appear in the Zap step.


Forum|alt.badge.img
  • Author
  • Beginner
  • February 24, 2024

Hi @Troy Tessalone , I find a bug. Thanks for helping.


Actually I was using search a document step in my zap and that did not allow me to add a value for each field. as shown in screenshot.

 

 

 


ken.a
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  • Zapier Staff
  • Answer
  • February 27, 2024

Hi there @clent,

I’m jumping in to see if I can help!

You'll want to remove the formatting on each template field that is causing issues. Please note, this process will also remove any other formatting for the highlighted text. Here's the process to follow:

  1. Highlight the template field(s).
  2. Click on the "Format" menu.
  3. Click on the "Remove formatting" option.
  4. Go back to your Zap's Create Document from Template Action Step
  5. Click the "Refresh Fields" button near the bottom of the page.
  6. The template field should appear.

To help you with this, here's an animation showing how the process works: https://zappy.zapier.com/B85A99A3-E88F-4186-AA8C-2B67D9076FD2.gif

If that still doesn't resolve the issue, can you please try to delete and retype the text around each template field along with each template field itself?

Hopefully, this helps!
 


Forum|alt.badge.img
  • Author
  • Beginner
  • February 27, 2024

Hi @ken.a thanks. I’ve followed the same instrcutions and now my zaps are working fine.

 

Thanks


ken.a
Forum|alt.badge.img+6
  • Zapier Staff
  • February 29, 2024

That’s amazing @clent! I’m glad to hear that the Zap is now working!

Happy Zapping! ⚡️