How to Set Reminders in Google Sheets

Google Sheets is a powerful piece of software that allows you to organize data in a spreadsheet form. You can also use it to set up tasks for you or a group of people. With such a function, some sort of reminder would be extremely useful.

With this guide, you will learn how to include reminders in Google Sheets, as well as some additional tips you may find useful.

Setting Up Reminders

This option is not a part of the default software, but getting it is easy and free. To get the add-on:

1. Go to the G Suite Marketplace and search for Add Reminders. 
   
2. Now, press the Install button.
   

Add Reminders will evaluate the spreadsheet and will send you a reminder for every row. You just have to set the date, and the add-on will automatically set the reminders. To set the reminders:

1. Open a new document in Google Sheets.
   
2. Click on Add-ons in the main menu.
   
3. Click Add Reminders.
   
4. Go to Set Up/Edit reminders.
   
5. Write the tasks, dates, and email addresses in every column. The add-on will automatically fill an empty spreadsheet, so you can just replace the information yourself.
   
6. Click on the Add a New Reminder button.
   

You can now select one of these options.

Deadline Column

This will show only columns with valid dates, so make sure you have everything written correctly. If you change something from the first row you will have to restart the add-on.

You can click the cell and a calendar will appear.

Send Reminders

This will allow you to send a reminder before or after the set date. Just select the option that works for you.

Recipient Options

With this option, you can select recipients.

1. Notify Me – If you select this option, you will add your email to the TO bar. This will send you a return email confirming that the email was sent out.
2. Notify People In – Select this option, then you can select the column with emails that an email will be sent to. The first row will not be included.
3. CC People In – This will insert people in the email’s CC. Select the column with the emails, like in the previous option.

Email Customization

Pressing this option will open a new window.

Subject – Lets you write the subject of your email reminders.

Add Spreadsheet Link – This option will include the link to the sheet in the email.

Email Body – This option adds text to the main part of the email.

After selecting the options you want, click the Done button. A sidebar will appear, click Done again.

You may now close the spreadsheet. The add-on will perform checks hourly, and send out emails at the correct time.

Other Google Sheet Tips

There are many tricks that can make your Google Sheets experience smoother and more enjoyable. Here are some of the most useful ones.

Send Emails by Commenting

You can send out an email to someone when you add a comment to Google Sheets. This is a great way of informing people that something new was added to the spreadsheet.

You can send the email by typing @ followed by the recipient’s email. The email will be sent when you type in the comment.

Apply Filters

You can use filters to go through a group of cells with a common trait. This allows you to quickly find information even if you have a bunch of data stored in the sheet.

1. Click the Filter button.
   
2. Now, click the Filter button of the main row in the spreadsheet to choose the values you want to see.
   
3. You also have the option to save the filters. Just press Create New Filter View by selecting the Filter button.
   

Block Cells

If you have a large group of people doing work on a single spreadsheet, you can block some info from being changed. This will make mistakes less likely to happen.

You can block particular cells or entire columns.

1. Select Range Editing Permissions.
   
2. You can also set it up so a warning is displayed when someone tries to edit the cell. Select the option that fits your needs.
   

Google Sheets Doesn’t Forget

Google Sheets is a very complex piece of software and there are so many options that will help you work faster and more efficiently. Reminders, for example, can be a real life saver.

Have you ever used the reminders feature in Google Sheets? Was it helpful? Tell us in the comments!