Good first workflow
One form, one approver
Use a copied or internal form and one reviewer email. Add complexity only after the basic approval chain works.
First-run test
Test one approval workflow before launch.
Use a copied or internal Google Form, select the linked response sheet, add one approver, run Preflight, submit one response, and confirm the reviewer email plus Sheet status.
Pass condition
The test passes when Preflight succeeds, the reviewer email arrives, the approver can approve or reject, and the linked Google Sheet shows the expected approval status.
Why this test is the product
For a lightweight Google Forms approval add-on, the first real success is not a complex workflow. It is one internal request proving the full chain: linked response Sheet selected, reviewer email delivered, decision link works, and status writes back. This is the check that turns a silent failed install into a diagnosable setup issue.
Bad first workflow
Multi-step live production approval
Do not start with several approvers, real money, compliance routing, or live respondents before the first chain is proven.
First-run checklist
- Use a copied form or an internal test form, not a live production form.
- Confirm the form is linked to a Google Sheets response spreadsheet.
- Install FormFlow from Google Workspace Marketplace.
- Open the FormFlow sidebar from the Google Forms editor.
- Select the linked response spreadsheet through the Picker flow.
- Add one internal approver email address.
- Save the configuration.
- Run Preflight and resolve any warning before launch.
- Submit one internal test response.
- Open the reviewer email, make one approve or reject decision, and check the Sheet status.
Visual pass points
What to inspect
Sheet
Correct response spreadsheet
The selected spreadsheet should be the form's linked response sheet, not a duplicate or stale test sheet.
Email
Reviewer receives the request
Check the inbox and spam folder for the internal approver account before adding more reviewers.
Decision
Approve/reject link works
The reviewer should be able to open the decision page and submit one approval or rejection.
Status
Sheet status updates
The linked response sheet should show the final decision state so the operator can audit what happened.
If the test fails
Preflight warning
Re-check linked Sheet access, saved approver email, and the form-to-sheet connection before submitting another response.
No reviewer email
Confirm the approver address is internal and valid, then check spam and Workspace mail restrictions.
Decision link issue
Use the same Google account as the intended reviewer and send the exact screenshot to support.
Status not updated
Confirm the selected response sheet is the sheet connected to the tested form submission.
- Send a FormFlow setup noteInclude the failing step, Preflight result, reviewer email status, decision link result, and linked Sheet status.
- Open FormFlow supportUse the support checklist to collect the four checks before launch.
Report the failing step, not the whole workflow
A useful setup note should name the exact step where the chain stopped. That makes it possible to separate Marketplace install issues, Google account issues, mail delivery issues, decision-link issues, and linked Sheet status issues.
| Failed step | Evidence to send | Likely next action |
|---|---|---|
| Cannot select Sheet | Form URL, response Sheet name, and sidebar screenshot. | Confirm the form is linked to a response spreadsheet. |
| Preflight warning | Exact Preflight text and saved approver address. | Fix configuration before submitting a new response. |
| Email missing | Approver address, inbox/spam check, and Workspace mail context. | Check delivery and send-mail readiness. |
| Status not updated | Decision page result and linked Sheet screenshot. | Confirm the selected Sheet belongs to the tested form. |
FAQ
Can I test without real respondents?
Yes. Use an internal test response. The first-run proof should happen before real respondents use the approval form.
What is the minimum approval workflow?
One Google Form, one linked response Sheet, one approver email, one test submission, and one approve or reject decision.
When should I add more approvers?
After the one-approver test passes. Multi-reviewer routing is harder to debug if the basic chain is not proven first.
When should I leave a review?
Only after Preflight, reviewer email, decision link, and linked Sheet status all work for your test.
After it works
If Preflight passes, the reviewer email arrives, the approve or reject link works, and the linked Sheet status updates, you can move the workflow toward production or leave an honest Marketplace review. If any step is unclear, use support first.
- Review after first successUse the checklist only after Preflight, reviewer email, decision link, and linked Sheet status all work.
- Leave an honest Marketplace reviewIf those four checks worked for your form, one short review helps other Google Forms operators evaluate FormFlow.
- FormFlow setup noteSend the failing step, screenshot, and expected result.
- Track status in SheetsConfirm the linked response Sheet shows the approval result.
- Approve by emailReview the email decision path and linked-sheet status behavior.