I’m building a prototype project where I need to use Google Sheets as a basic database system. The main requirement is to have some kind of user interface that allows people to add new records, edit existing ones, and remove entries from the spreadsheet.
I’m wondering if Google Forms would work for this purpose, or if there are other Google tools that might be better suited for this task. The goal is to create a simple way for users to interact with the spreadsheet data without having to directly edit the Google Sheets file.
Has anyone implemented something similar before? What would be the best approach to create this kind of interface for spreadsheet-based data management?
honestly, google forms + appsheet is worth checking out. appSheet connects directly to sheets and gives you a proper mobile interface for crud operations without any coding. it’s free for small teams and handles the edit/delete stuff that forms can’t do well.
Google Apps Script with HTML Service is your best bet here. I’ve built several similar interfaces and it’s way more flexible than Google Forms alone. Forms are fine for adding new records but they are less effective for editing and deleting entries.
With Apps Script, you can develop a custom web application that directly interacts with your Google Sheets. The HTML Service allows you to create a well-designed interface, complete with forms for adding entries, tables for displaying data, and buttons for editing or deleting records. You manage all CRUD operations through server-side functions that manipulate the spreadsheet data.
The learning curve isn’t too steep if you are familiar with basic JavaScript. Deployment is quite straightforward, and you can regulate access levels. Performance is adequate for small to medium datasets, but be aware that larger spreadsheets or high numbers of concurrent users might present challenges.
I encountered a similar issue six months ago while developing an inventory tracker for a small business. After testing various options, I opted for Google Forms combined with Google Apps Script triggers, and it has worked exceptionally well. I use Forms primarily for data entry due to its built-in validation, while I manage viewing, editing, and deleting through a custom web application created with Apps Script’s HTML service. I set up onFormSubmit triggers to automatically process new entries and dispatch confirmation emails. For management, I designed a straightforward HTML table that retrieves data from the sheet, complete with edit and delete buttons for each row. The advantage of using Forms is that non-tech users find it intuitive for data entry, whereas power users benefit from the custom interface for management tasks. The system is running smoothly with around 500 records and multiple daily users. The only drawback is the requirement for page refreshes to view updates, but it strikes a commendable balance between functionality and simplicity.