As a freelancer, managing finances and invoices can be a daunting task, especially when you're new to running a business. Luckily, there are free tools available to streamline your invoicing process without any coding skills required. In this article, we'll explore how to automate your invoicing process using Google Sheets, Google Docs, and Make (formerly known as Integromat) and provide step-by-step instructions.
Key Takeaways
- Use Make (formerly known as Integromat) to connect multiple sources of data and automate tasks without using code.
- Utilize Google Sheets to input data for the green columns and add customer data in the Customers sheet.
- Replace variables in a Google Doc template with the data from the Google Sheet.
- Download the Google Doc as a PDF and upload it to a specific folder in Google Drive.
- The automation created by following the steps in the video will copy the Google Doc into a PDF, rename it, and save it in the appropriate folder.
- Download all templates for free by signing up here (FREE)
Step-by-Step Guide to Streamlining Your Invoicing Process
Step 1: Create a Google Sheet
First, create a Google Sheet with the necessary columns for your invoicing process. Marvin Aziz recommends using green columns for data input and white columns for calculations.
Step 2: Add Customer Data
Next, add your customer data in a separate sheet called "Customers." This sheet should include the customer's name, address, email, and other relevant information.
Step 3: Create a Google Doc Template
Create a Google Doc template with your company's branding and all necessary fields for your invoice. The variables in the template should match the columns in the Google Sheet.
Step 4: Connect Google Sheets to Make
Now it's time to connect Google Sheets to Make. I recommend creating a new scenario in Make and using the "Google Sheets" module to set up the connection.
Step 5: Set up Variables in Make
Once you have connected Google Sheets to Make, set up variables in Make to replace the variables in your Google Doc template.
Step 6: Download the Google Doc as a PDF
Use the "Google Docs" module in Make to download the Google Doc as a PDF.
Step 7: Upload the PDF to Google Drive
Finally, use the "Google Drive" module in Make to upload the PDF to a specific folder in Google Drive.
FAQ's
Question: Is Make free to use?
Answer: Make offers a free tier that allows for up to 1,000 operations per month. However, you can upgrade to bigger tiers whenever your use case evolves.
Question: Can I use your invoicing template for free?
Answer: Sure! Go ahead and download the templates for free here.
Question: Do I need to know how to code to use Make?
Answer: No, Make is a no-code solution that allows users to automate tasks without writing any code.
Question: Do I need to have a Google Drive account to use Google Sheets and Google Docs?
Answer: Yes, Google Sheets and Google Docs are part of the Google Drive suite of applications, and users need a free Google Drive account to access them.
Conclusion
As a freelancer, managing finances and invoices can be a challenge, but by using free tools like Google Sheets, Google Docs, and Make, you can streamline your invoicing process and save time. With the help of the video tutorial, you can automate your invoicing process without writing any code. By following the step-by-step instructions, you can set up an invoicing system that works for you and focus on growing your business.
If you'd like to see more automation videos, check out this article:How to automate your Webflow CMS
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