Add Rows to Excel - Data Inserter for Zapier

PDF4me Add Rows to Excel transforms how you move data into spreadsheets within your Zapier workflows. Whether you're exporting database queries, syncing API responses, logging form submissions, or compiling CRM reports, this action intelligently converts JSON data into properly formatted Excel rows. With support for both table-based insertion (automatically matching headers) and coordinate-based placement (precise positioning), it handles type conversion, date formatting, and internationalization automatically—saving hours of manual data entry while ensuring consistency across your workflows.

Authenticating Your API Request

To access the PDF4me Web API through Zapier, every request must include proper authentication credentials. Authentication ensures secure communication and validates your identity as an authorized user, enabling seamless integration between your Zapier workflows and PDF4me's powerful Excel data insertion services.

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Key Features

• Dual Insertion Modes: Table-based with header matching or coordinate-based with exact positioning
• JSON Data Support: Insert single objects or arrays as Excel rows automatically
• Automatic Type Conversion: Convert JSON strings to Excel numbers and dates intelligently
• Custom Formatting: Apply date and numeric format patterns to inserted data
• Culture-Specific Parsing: Parse dates and numbers according to locale codes
• Null Value Handling: Skip null values or insert as empty cells

Parameters

Complete list of parameters for the Add action. Configure these parameters to control data insertion behavior.

Important: Parameters marked with an asterisk (***) are required and must be provided for the action to function correctly.

Parameter	Type	Description	Example
File Name***	String	Excel Filename • Specify filename with .xlsx or .xls extension • Map from previous step output • Used for output file identification • Supports dynamic naming from Zap variables	sales_data.xlsx
Document***	File	Excel File Content • Map Excel file from previous step • Source from Dropbox, Google Drive, HTTP request • Binary Excel data to receive new rows • Contains existing worksheet structure	[File from Dropbox]
Json Input***	String	JSON Data to Insert • JSON array of objects or single object • Array format: [{"Name":"John","Age":30}] inserts multiple rows • Single object: Must wrap in array [{"Name":"John"}] • Property names match column headers or determine order	[{"Product":"Widget","Qty":50}]
Worksheet Name	String	Target Worksheet Name • Name of worksheet to insert data into • Default: "Sheet1" if not specified • Must match worksheet name exactly • Case-sensitive worksheet matching	Sales
Table Name	String	Excel Table Name • Name of Excel table for table-based insertion • Empty triggers coordinate-based mode • Non-empty triggers table-based mode • Determines insertion behavior	SalesTable
Excel Row Number	Integer	Table Position (Table Mode) • 1-based position within table for insertion • 1 = first data row after headers • Must be ≥ 1 within table bounds • Ignored in coordinate mode	5
Insert From Row	Integer	Start Row (Coordinate Mode) • 1-based row number for insertion start • Coordinate mode only - must be ≥ 1 • Error if used with TableName • First worksheet row = 1	10
Insert From Column	Integer	Start Column (Coordinate Mode) • 1-based column number for insertion • Coordinate mode only - must be ≥ 1 • Error if used with TableName • Column A = 1, B = 2, etc.	3
Convert Numeric And Date	Boolean	Enable Type Conversion • Yes - Convert JSON strings to Excel numbers/dates • No - Insert all values as-is without conversion • Applies DateFormat and NumericFormat when enabled • Default: Yes for intelligent type handling	Yes
Date Format	String	Excel Date Format Pattern • Excel date format to apply • Examples: "yyyy-MM-dd", "MM/dd/yyyy", "dd-MMM-yyyy" • Default: "yyyy-MM-dd" • Used when Convert Numeric And Date enabled	MM/dd/yyyy
Numeric Format	String	Excel Numeric Format Pattern • Excel numeric format to apply • Examples: "N2", "#,##0.00", "0.00%" • Default: "N2" • Used when Convert Numeric And Date enabled	#,##0.00
Ignore Null Values	Boolean	Null Value Handling • Yes - Skip null values (don't insert into cells) • No - Insert null as empty cells • Default: No • Affects JSON null processing	No
Ignore Attribute Titles	Boolean	Case-Insensitive Matching • Yes - Case-insensitive header matching • No - Case-sensitive matching • Default: No • Useful for flexible JSON property naming	Yes
Culture Name	String	Culture for Date/Number Parsing • Culture code for parsing (e.g., "en-US", "de-DE") • Default: "en-US" • Affects date and number interpretation • Important for international data	en-US

Output

The PDF4me Add Rows to Excel action returns comprehensive output data for seamless Zapier workflow integration:

Table

Table View

Response data in a structured table format:

Parameter	Type	Description
File	URL	Direct URL to access the Excel with inserted data
File Name	String	The filename without extension
Full File Name	String	Complete filename with .xlsx extension
File Extension	String	File extension (.xlsx)

JSON

JSON Response Format

The raw JSON response from the action:

{
  "File": "https://...",
  "File Name": "sales_data",
  "Full File Name": "sales_data.xlsx",
  "File Extension": ".xlsx"
}

Zap Integration

Zapier Workflow Usage

Use Excel with inserted data in subsequent steps:

• Email Distribution: Send updated Excel reports to stakeholders
• Cloud Storage: Upload populated spreadsheets to Dropbox, Google Drive
• Database Export: Create Excel from SQL query results automatically
• API Integration: Populate Excel with REST API response data
• Form Logging: Insert form submissions into Excel tracking sheets
• CRM Export: Add CRM data to Excel reports for analysis

Scenario Examples

The PDF4me Add Rows to Excel action in Zapier provides comprehensive scenario templates designed for real-world automation needs:

Database Export

Automated Daily Sales Data Export Scenario

Transform your sales reporting with automated database-to-Excel data insertion:

Complete Scenario Steps:

1. Trigger: Scheduled trigger runs daily at 11 PM
2. Query Database: Execute SQL query to fetch today's sales transactions
3. Format JSON: Convert SQL results to JSON array format
4. Get Excel Template: Fetch sales report template from Google Drive
5. Add Rows: Insert JSON data into "DailySales" table
6. Set Parameters: TableName, ConvertNumericAndDate = Yes
7. Apply Formats: DateFormat = "MM/dd/yyyy", NumericFormat = "$#,##0.00"
8. Upload Result: Save to Google Drive daily reports folder
9. Email Report: Send updated Excel to sales managers via Gmail
10. Archive Data: Store in monthly reports archive

Business Benefits:

• Inserts 200+ daily sales records into Excel automatically
• Eliminates manual data entry saving 2 hours daily
• Ensures consistent date and currency formatting
• Maintains Excel table structure and formulas automatically

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API Data Population

Automated REST API to Excel Integration Scenario

Streamline your data integration with automated API-to-Excel data population:

Complete Scenario Steps:

1. Trigger: Scheduled hourly data refresh runs every hour
2. Call REST API: Execute HTTP GET to external analytics service
3. Parse Response: Extract JSON array from API response body
4. Transform Data: Apply business logic and calculations
5. Get Excel Dashboard: Retrieve real-time dashboard from Dropbox
6. Clear Old Data: Delete previous data rows (separate module)
7. Add New Rows: Insert fresh API data at coordinates
8. Set Position: InsertFromRow = 3, InsertFromColumn = 2
9. Enable Conversion: ConvertNumericAndDate = Yes for metrics
10. Upload Updated: Save refreshed dashboard to Dropbox

Business Benefits:

• Refreshes Excel dashboard with API data 24 times daily
• Provides near real-time visibility in familiar Excel format
• Automatically formats numbers and dates from API responses
• Eliminates manual API data extraction and Excel updates

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Form Response Logging

Automated Form Submissions to Excel Logging Scenario

Optimize your form data collection with automated Excel logging:

Complete Scenario Steps:

1. Trigger: Webhook receives new form submission data
2. Parse Submission: Extract form field values from webhook
3. Create JSON Object: Format submission data as JSON
4. Get Excel Log: Retrieve form responses log from Google Drive
5. Add Row: Insert at next available row using coordinate mode
6. Set Coordinates: InsertFromRow = dynamic, InsertFromColumn = 1
7. Handle Nulls: IgnoreNullValues = Yes for optional fields
8. Set Culture: CultureName = "en-US" for US date formats
9. Upload Log: Save updated Excel log to Google Drive
10. Email Confirmation: Send submission receipt to form submitter

Business Benefits:

• Logs 500+ form submissions monthly automatically
• Eliminates manual form response transcription entirely
• Handles optional fields with null value skipping
• Provides real-time Excel log of all submissions

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CRM Export

Automated Weekly CRM Data Export Scenario

Enhance your reporting with automated CRM-to-Excel data export:

Complete Scenario Steps:

1. Trigger: Scheduled weekly on Monday at 8 AM
2. Query CRM: Get all new opportunities from last week via API
3. Filter Data: Apply business logic filters and transformations
4. Format JSON Array: Convert CRM records to JSON array
5. Get Excel Template: Fetch weekly opportunities template from Dropbox
6. Add Rows: Insert into "Opportunities" table at position 2
7. Set Parameters: ExcelRowNumber = 2, IgnoreAttributeTitles = Yes
8. Format Currency: NumericFormat = "$#,##0.00" for deal values
9. Upload Result: Save populated report to Google Drive
10. Email Sales Team: Distribute Excel to sales leadership via Gmail

Business Benefits:

• Exports 100+ CRM opportunities weekly automatically
• Ensures accurate currency and date formatting
• Flexible header matching handles CRM field name variations
• Reduces manual CRM reporting time by 95%

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Industry Use Cases & Applications

Sales & Marketing

• CRM Pipeline Reports: Insert opportunity data into Excel sales pipelines
• Lead Tracking Sheets: Add new leads from forms to Excel tracking logs
• Campaign Analytics: Populate marketing results from analytics APIs
• Customer Database: Export customer data from databases to Excel lists

Finance & Accounting

• Transaction Logs: Insert daily financial transactions into Excel ledgers
• Expense Tracking: Add employee expense submissions to Excel reports
• Budget vs Actual: Populate actual spending data into budget templates
• Invoice Generation: Insert invoice line items into Excel invoice templates

Human Resources

• Employee Records: Add new hire information to Excel employee databases
• Attendance Tracking: Insert daily attendance data into Excel timesheets
• Payroll Processing: Populate hours worked into Excel payroll templates
• Performance Data: Add review scores and metrics to Excel trackers

Operations & Supply Chain

• Inventory Updates: Insert stock level changes into Excel inventory sheets
• Production Logs: Add production run data to Excel manufacturing logs
• Quality Metrics: Populate QC results into Excel quality reports
• Maintenance Records: Insert equipment maintenance data into Excel logs

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