--- title: "How to Send SMS Reminders from a Google Spreadsheet" slug: "google-sheets-sms-reminders" type: "help-article" canonical: "https://www.remindlo.co.uk/help/google-sheets-sms-reminders" category: "Integrations" read_time: "6 min read" published_at: "2026-03-23T20:16:00+00:00" updated_at: "2026-04-15T19:22:48.721688+00:00" keywords: ["google sheets sms reminders", "send sms from google sheets", "google sheets sms integration", "spreadsheet sms reminders", "google sheets appointment reminders", "sms reminders from spreadsheet", "google sheets crm sms", "google sheets text message reminders", "google sheets zapier sms"] --- # How to Send SMS Reminders from a Google Spreadsheet > Use Google Sheets as a simple CRM and send automatic SMS reminders via Remindlo and Zapier. Free template included. Many small businesses manage their client lists in a Google Spreadsheet. If that sounds like you, this guide shows how to turn your spreadsheet into an automated SMS reminder system using Remindlo and Zapier. Every time you add or update a row, Remindlo can automatically send a text reminder before the client's next appointment. We have also prepared a **free Google Sheets template** that works as a mini CRM - ready to copy and start using right away. ## What You Need - A **Google account** with access to Google Sheets. - A **Remindlo account** - [create one for free](/register?utm_source=help&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=google_sheets_sms). - A **Zapier account** - a free Zapier plan works for simple Zaps. ## Free Google Sheets CRM Template We have created a ready-to-use spreadsheet template that works as a simple customer database. It includes all the fields Remindlo needs to send SMS reminders, plus extras like recurrence settings and marketing consent. [**→ Open the free Google Sheets CRM template**](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1RBbQryRexpCi2H3jLKAREPKzX02xi-cuZ1l9a5LDnRQ/edit?gid=0#gid=0) To use it, open the link above and go to **File → Make a copy**. That gives you your own editable version. The template is open to anyone with a Google account. ### Template Columns Explained Column Description Required for SMS **First name** Client's first name. Used to personalise messages. Recommended **Last name** Client's last name. Optional **Email** Client's email address. Optional **Phone number** Must include the country code (e.g. +44 for UK, +1 for US). Yes **Note** Any additional information about the client. Stored as a note on the contact in Remindlo. Optional **Next Visit/Service/Appointment** The date of the client's next appointment. This is the date Remindlo uses to schedule the SMS reminder. Yes **Recurrent service** Whether this client has a recurring appointment (yes/no dropdown). Optional **Repeat interval** How often the appointment repeats (e.g. 12 for every 12 months). If recurrent **Repeat schema** The unit for the repeat interval (e.g. months, weeks). If recurrent **Consent to receive messages** Whether the client has given consent to receive SMS (yes/no dropdown). Recommended ## How It Works The flow is simple: 1. You add or update a client row in your Google Sheet. 2. Zapier detects the new or updated row. 3. Zapier sends the data to Remindlo via the **Create Contact** action. 4. Remindlo schedules an SMS reminder based on the appointment date and your campaign settings. Once set up, you just maintain your spreadsheet. The rest happens automatically. ## Step-by-Step Setup ### Step 1: Prepare Your Spreadsheet Either copy our [free template](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1RBbQryRexpCi2H3jLKAREPKzX02xi-cuZ1l9a5LDnRQ/edit?gid=0#gid=0) (File → Make a copy) or use your existing spreadsheet. If using your own, make sure it has at minimum these columns: - **Phone number** (with country code, e.g. +447700900123). To add it correctly in Google Sheets, add it with ' at the beginning. Example: '+44508115312 - **Next appointment date** - **First name** (recommended for personalised messages) ### Step 2: Create a Campaign in Remindlo Before connecting Zapier, set up a campaign in Remindlo that defines your reminder schedule: 1. Go to your [Remindlo dashboard](/dashboard). 2. Create a new **Campaign** (e.g. "Appointment Reminders"). 3. Configure when reminders should be sent (e.g. 24 hours before, 2 hours before). 4. Write your message templates. Use variables like `{{first_name}}` and `{{business_name}}` to personalise each message. 5. Note the campaign name - you will need it when setting up the Zap. ### Step 3: Create the Zap in Zapier #### Set up the trigger 1. Log in to [Zapier](https://zapier.com) and click **Create a Zap**. 2. Choose **Google Sheets** as the trigger app. 3. Select **New or Updated Spreadsheet Row** as the trigger event. 4. Connect your Google account and select your spreadsheet and worksheet. 5. Test the trigger - Zapier will pull in a sample row from your sheet. #### Set up the Remindlo action 1. Click **+** to add an action step. 2. Search for **Remindlo** and select **Create Contact**. 3. Connect your Remindlo account if you have not already. 4. Map the spreadsheet columns to Remindlo fields: Remindlo Field Google Sheets Column First Name First name Last Name Last name Phone Number Phone number Email Email Note Note Marketing Consent Consent to receive messages Next Appointment Next Visit/Service/Appointment Campaign IDs Your campaign name (e.g. "Appointment Reminders") Is Recurrent Recurrent service Recurrent Interval Repeat interval 5. Test the action to confirm the contact appears in your Remindlo dashboard. ### Step 4: Turn On the Zap Once both steps test successfully, click **Publish** to activate the Zap. From now on, every new or updated row in your spreadsheet will automatically create or update a contact in Remindlo and schedule the SMS reminder. ![Create SMS Reminder From Google Sheets](https://www.remindlo.co.uk/media/create-sms-reminder-from-google-sheets-1774897912584.webp "Create SMS Reminder From Google Sheets") ## Handling Recurring Appointments The template includes columns for recurring services. If a client visits regularly (e.g. every 6 months for a dental checkup, every 12 months for a boiler service), you can set: - **Recurrent service** to "yes" - **Repeat interval** to the number (e.g. 6, 12) - **Repeat schema** to the unit (e.g. months, weeks) Remindlo will use this information to automatically schedule future reminders after each appointment, so you do not need to update the spreadsheet every time. ## Who Is This For? This setup is ideal for small businesses that: - Already manage clients in a spreadsheet and want to add SMS reminders without switching to a new system. - Do not use a booking platform like [Calendly](https://www.remindlo.co.uk/help/calendly-sms-reminders) or [Cal.com](https://www.remindlo.co.uk/help/cal-com-sms-reminders) but still want automated text reminders. - Want a free, simple CRM without the complexity of full CRM software. - Have recurring clients (hairdressers, [dentists](https://www.remindlo.co.uk/industries/dentist), mechanics, cleaners, [pet groomers](https://www.remindlo.co.uk/industries/other), [tutors](https://www.remindlo.co.uk/industries/language-school), [vets](https://www.remindlo.co.uk/industries/vet)) and want to reduce no-shows. ## Tips and Best Practices - **Always include the country code** in phone numbers. Write +447700900123, not 07700900123. This ensures Remindlo can deliver the message to the correct country. - **Use a consistent date format** for the appointment column. DD/MM/YYYY works well for UK businesses. The spreadsheet template is set up so you only need to click the date cell twice and selectw the date from a ready calendar. That guarantees the necessary format. - **Keep one row per client**. If you need to update an appointment, edit the existing row rather than adding a new one. The "New or Updated Row" trigger in Zapier will pick up the change. - **Use the consent column**. Recording that clients have agreed to receive SMS is good practice and helps you stay compliant with UK messaging regulations. - **Test with your own number first**. Add yourself as a test row to verify the full flow before adding real clients. ## Troubleshooting ### Zap is not detecting new rows - Zapier polls Google Sheets every few minutes. Allow up to 15 minutes for a new row to be detected. - Make sure the row is fully filled in. Zapier may skip rows where key fields are empty. - Check that the correct spreadsheet and worksheet are selected in the Zap trigger. ### Contact not appearing in Remindlo - Check the Zap's Task History in Zapier for error messages. - Verify the phone number includes a country code (e.g. +44). - Make sure your Remindlo account is connected and authorised in Zapier. ### Reminder not sending - Check that the appointment date is in the future. Remindlo does not send reminders for past events. - Verify the contact is enrolled in the correct campaign in your Remindlo dashboard. - Make sure your campaign has active reminder messages configured. ### Duplicate contacts - If you are adding new rows for existing clients, consider using **Find or Create Contact** instead of Create Contact in the Zapier action. This searches by phone number first and only creates a new contact if no match is found. ## Need Help? If you need assistance setting up SMS reminders from Google Sheets, contact us at [support@remindlo.co.uk](mailto:support@remindlo.co.uk). We are happy to help you get everything connected. --- Canonical URL: https://www.remindlo.co.uk/help/google-sheets-sms-reminders