How to Generate Certificates from Google Sheets and Excel in 2026?

If you’ve ever tried to generate certificate from Google Sheet data right before a deadline, you know the pain: copy-paste mistakes, broken formatting, missed recipients and a spreadsheet that turns into a messy to-do list.

In 2026, there’s a better way to generate certificates from a spreadsheet. Certifier now has a native Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel integration, so you can auto generate certificate from Google Sheet or run a certificate generator from Excel workflow without constant exports and manual sends.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to auto generate certificate from Excel sheet or Google Sheets using three clear options: the native integration (best for full automation), CSV upload (best for one-off batches) and Zapier (best for advanced automations).

For the easiest way to auto generate certificates from Google Sheets or Excel, use Certifier’s native integration and issue credentials automatically from new spreadsheet rows.

If you only need a one-off batch, export a CSV from Google Sheets or Excel and upload it to Certifier to generate certificates from a spreadsheet on demand.

Use Zapier when you need advanced, multi-step workflows or conditional logic to automate certificate generation across tools beyond Sheets and Excel.

No matter the method, clean name & email columns are mandatory if you want to generate certificates from Excel data or Google Sheets without errors.

How to auto generate certificates from Google Sheets or Excel

Generating certificates from a spreadsheet is now a standard workflow for teams that run courses, events or training programs. Educators and course creators need to generate certificates from Google Sheets after every cohort.

Event teams often have to auto generate certificate from Google Sheet registrations minutes after a webinar ends. HR teams rely on a certificate generator from Excel to track training, compliance and internal learning.

In all of these cases, the data already lives in Google Sheets or Excel.

But manual issuance falls apart fast. Copy-pasting names causes mistakes; creating certificates one by one doesn’t scale; sending files individually eats time, and “how to generate certificates from Excel data” turns into a recurring fire drill.

An automatic certificate generator using Excel or Google Sheets fixes this by pulling each row—name, email, dates and custom fields—and using it to generate certificates from a spreadsheet in a consistent, repeatable way.

The key difference between the available methods is how much automation you need, how often you issue certificates and how complex your workflow is.

Core methods to auto generate certificates from Excel and Google Sheets

Native Google Sheets and Excel integration (recommended for ongoing workflows)

This is the fastest way to automate certificates with Google Sheets or Excel. Certifier connects directly to your spreadsheet and monitors it for new rows. When fresh data appears, a certificate is generated and sent automatically. This approach works best for continuous programs, recurring courses, live events and any setup where new recipients are added over time.

For a more hands-on guide, check out our YouTube tutorial where we show how to connect Google Sheets with Certifier:

One-time CSV upload from Excel or Google Sheets

Export your spreadsheet as a CSV file and upload it to Certifier to generate certificates in bulk. This method is ideal for one-off batches, such as a single webinar, a finished course cohort or a quarterly event. You stay in full control of when certificates are created, without setting up long-term automation.

Zapier integration for advanced workflows

Zapier is the right choice when certificate generation is part of a larger automation. Use it when data needs to pass through multiple tools, when Certifier should act as a trigger instead of an action or when your setup goes beyond spreadsheets alone. This method suits complex, multi-step processes across CRMs, LMS platforms and internal systems.

Each approach uses the same foundation—spreadsheet data—but serves a different operational need. The sections below break down how each one works, when to use it and how to set it up without unnecessary complexity.

How to automatically issue certificates using Certifier’s native integration with Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel

This is the simplest way to auto generate certificates from Google Sheets or Excel. You set the automation up once, then every new, complete row you add becomes a credential—no CSV exports, no re-uploads, no manual sending loops.

Step 1: Copy Certifier’s sample spreadsheet (and keep it clean)

Copy the sample file (Google Spreadsheets sample file or Microsoft Excel sample file) and keep the structure as-is. You’ll see two tabs that matter:

Input Sheet — where you fill in recipient details

Live Sheet — the tab Certifier watches

Fill rows in Input, then move only complete rows to Live.

Step 2: Create a Google Sheets or Excel automation in Certifier

In Certifier, go to Automations → + Create Automation and choose the Google Sheets template (or Microsoft Excel template if you’re working in Excel). This creates a “new row added → issue credential” automation, ready to configure.

Step 3: Connect your spreadsheet and point Certifier to the Live Sheet

Open the Trigger and connect your Google or Microsoft account via OAuth.

Then select:

your spreadsheet file

the Live Sheet tab (or the equivalent tab you want Certifier to monitor)

Submit the trigger and move on—this part is quick when you start from the sample file.

Step 4: Map the columns Certifier needs to issue credentials

Open the Issue Credential action and map your spreadsheet fields:

Group – where certificates will be created (this controls the design/template)

Recipient Name – map the name column (or combine first and last name)

Recipient Email – map the email column

Step 5: Choose whether to send the certificate instantly or create drafts first

Decide how automated you want delivery to be:

Send Credential = True → recipients get emails automatically

Send Credential = False → credentials are created as drafts for review

If you’re testing the setup, drafts are the safer first run. Once you’re happy with mapping, switch to automatic sending.

Step 6: Activate, then use the Input → Live routine to issue certificates reliably

Click Save & Activate and confirm.

From here, your manual flow is straightforward:

This Input → Live approach is the cleanest way to generate certificates from a spreadsheet without accidental sends or skipped rows.

Check out our guides on How to connect Google Sheets to Certifier to automatically issue credentials and How to connect Microsoft Excel to Certifier to automatically issue credentials for more detail.

Want a video instead? Check out our tutorial on how to integrate Excel sheets with Certifier and follow along:

How to generate certificates from Google Sheets or Excel using a CSV upload

CSV upload is the most straightforward way to generate certificates from a spreadsheet when you don’t need an ongoing automated process. It works well for one-off batches, occasional events or situations where you want full control over when certificates are created.

This method is a good fit if:

You issue certificates occasionally, not continuously

Your recipient list is already final and won’t change

You want to review everything before sending

You prefer a manual, predictable workflow

Step 1: Log in to your Certifier account

First, log in to your Certifier account. If you don’t have a Certifier account, register for free. We offer a free forever plan, which allows you to issue up to 250 credentials yearly at no cost.

Step 2: Customize the certificate’s template or design it from scratch

Certifier includes thousands of ready-to-go certificate templates. You can use, customize and edit them for free. Also, you can create a new design from scratch in our e-certificate generator from Excel. You can upload certificate backgrounds, frames and elements.

Make sure to customize your certificate design to match your brand identity. Choose the elements for your design: upload the logo, signatures, etc.

Step 3: Upload CSV list to generate certificates in bulk

At this step, you’ll need a prepared CSV file with the certificate recipients’ list. Not sure how to do that right? No worries, we’ll cover the CSV preparation steps later in the article!

At this stage, you need to do the following:

Create a group

Upload Recipients’ List

Manage columns

Review the setup

Finally, save certificates as drafts (prepare them for future sending), or move on to the next step and send generated certificates.

Step 4: Send bulk emails with certificates to the recipients

You're at the finish line. At this point, with certificate designs ready to go, you need to send personalized credentials to the recipients. Click on Save and Publish Certificates.

When you click on it, Certifier build-in mail system emails all new certificates to recipients' Inboxes.

By default, our system sends emails with a basic template (without your logo, branded colors and text). However, you can create a custom email template, set up your email as the sender, etc. If you want to customize your email templates, go to the Emails section > Create Email Template.

That’s it. Your certificates are published and sent to all recipients via an online certificate generator from Excel. If you need more insights on how to generate e-certificate from Excel sheet, simply schedule a call to discuss your questions in person.

How to automatically issue certificates from Google Sheets and Excel using Zapier

Zapier is the right option when certificate generation is part of a more advanced automation, not just a spreadsheet-driven flow. This includes multi-step workflows, conditional logic or cases where Certifier needs to act as a trigger instead of an action.

Note: To use this method, you’ll need both a Certifier account and a Zapier account.

Step 1: Build a Zap that connects your tools to Certifier

In Zapier, create a new Zap and choose the app that starts the process—this could be a CRM, LMS, form builder, payment tool or internal system.

Typical use cases include:

Paid course access – issue certificates only after a successful Stripe or PayPal payment

LMS completion events – trigger certificates when a learner finishes a module or passes an assessment

CRM-driven programs – issue credentials when a deal reaches a specific stage or a tag is applied

Multi-form logic – combine data from several forms before issuing a single certificate

Internal approvals – send certificates only after a manager or admin confirms completion

Certifier as a trigger – start follow-up actions (Slack messages, CRM updates, email sequences) after a certificate is issued

Then add Certifier as the action and select Issue Credential.

This approach works well when data doesn’t live in Google Sheets or Excel, or when certificates should only be issued after several conditions are met.

Step 2: Map data once, then let the workflow run

Map the required fields (recipient name, email and any custom attributes), turn the Zap on and let it run in the background. From that point on, certificates are issued automatically as part of the wider workflow.

How to prepare a spreadsheet with your certificate recipients

No matter which method you choose—native integration, CSV upload or Zapier—one thing stays the same: your spreadsheet needs to be clean, accurate and ready for issuance. A well-prepared file makes it easier to generate certificates from a spreadsheet, avoids errors and speeds up the entire process.

Start by creating your list in Google Sheets, Microsoft Excel or a similar tool. At a minimum, you’ll need recipient names and email addresses. You can also include extra fields such as course name, grade, number of hours, instructor or issue date if you plan to display them on the certificate.

Step 1: Download the recipient data from its source

In most cases, recipient information already exists in your LMS, CRM, form tool or video platform like Zoom. Export that data in CSV (or XML if required), then open it in Google Sheets or Excel to prepare it for certificate generation.

Step 2: Open the file and normalize the columns

Check how the data is structured. If names, emails or other fields are combined, split them into separate columns using tools like Data → Split text to columns in Google Sheets. If first and last names need to be merged later, make sure they’re consistent across rows.

Clear column labels now help avoid confusion when mapping fields during issuance.

Step 3: Remove anything you don’t need for automated certificate generation from Excel or Google Sheets

Exports often include far more data than you’ll use on a certificate. Delete unnecessary columns, extra rows and system metadata. The goal is a focused list that contains only the fields required to generate certificates from Excel data or Google Sheets.

Cleaner data means faster setup and fewer mistakes during issuance.

Step 4: Save the file in the right format

If you’re using the CSV upload method, download the final version as CSV (comma-separated values). If you’re using the native integration, keep the file in Google Sheets or Excel and move on to automation setup.

Once this step is done, your spreadsheet is ready for bulk certificate generation—whether you plan to auto generate certificates from Google Sheets, issue them from Excel, or upload a CSV for one-time batches.

Pros of using Certifier as a certificate generator from Excel or Google Sheets

Low or no upfront cost: Google Sheets and Excel are free, and Certifier offers a free plan that covers the core features. This makes it easy to test or run smaller programs without committing upfront. For many teams, this is the most accessible way to start with a free certificate generator from Excel or Google Sheets.

Professional, consistent certificates at scale: Using Certifier to generate certificates from spreadsheet data produces clean, branded credentials every time. The output is consistent, verifiable and suitable for courses, webinars, internal training and client-facing programs.

Fast setup, then repeatable workflows: Initial setup—designing the certificate and mapping spreadsheet fields—usually takes 10–20 minutes. After that, you can auto generate certificates from Google Sheets or Excel in minutes or run the process fully automated.

Built-in analytics and visibility: Certifier tracks issued credentials, including views, downloads and shares. This data helps you understand engagement and improve how certificates support your learning or marketing goals.

Flexible delivery and exports: Certificates can be emailed automatically, downloaded individually, or exported in bulk as PDFs or ZIP files. Each certificate includes a unique ID, making it easy to manage records from Excel or Google Sheets.

Strong integration options: Whether you want to automate certificates with Google Sheets, upload a CSV from Excel, or connect advanced workflows via Zapier, Certifier adapts to how your data already flows.

Cons of using Certifier with Excel or Google Sheets

Not ideal for single certificates: If you only need to issue one or two certificates, a manual design tool like Canva or Photoshop may be faster. Certifier is built for bulk and repeatable workflows, not one-off designs.

Higher volumes require a paid plan: To generate certificates from Excel data or Google Sheets at larger scale (typically 250+ credentials), upgrading to a paid Certifier plan is required. Plans start at $49/month, which may be a consideration for very small or infrequent use cases.

Overall, Certifier paired with Google Sheets or Excel remains one of the most practical ways to generate certificates from a spreadsheet—especially when volume, consistency and automation matter.

So, how to generate e-certificate from Google Sheet or Excel?

If you want the simplest answer to “how to generate e certificate from Google Sheet or Excel,” here it is: keep your data in a spreadsheet, and let Certifier do the issuing.

Use the native Google Sheets or Excel integration when you want a workflow that runs on autopilot.

Pick CSV upload when you’re issuing certificates occasionally and want full control over timing. Reach for Zapier when certificate generation needs to sit inside a bigger, multi-tool process.

Whichever route you choose, the goal stays the same: fewer manual steps, fewer mistakes and a faster way to generate certificates from Excel data or auto generate certificates from Google Sheets at scale.

Sign up to Certifier. Set it up once. Issue clean credentials every time. And get your evenings back.