Your client onboarding spreadsheet has become unmanageable. Emails asking "where's my file?" pile up daily, approvals stall for days, and your team wastes hours on manual follow-ups that should be automated. With businesses achieving 90% faster development cycles through no-code platforms and tools like SheetBridge converting spreadsheets to functional apps, you can transform that chaotic Google Sheet into a branded client portal. Adalo's agnostic builder lets you publish the same app to the web, native iOS, and native Android , all without writing a line of code or rebuilding. If your plan is mass distribution through the app stores vast marketplaces, then this is a great option.
Key Takeaways
- SheetBridge converts Google Sheets to native mobile and web apps versus 3-6 months for traditional development
- Teams save 15 hours weekly on administrative follow-ups after moving from spreadsheets to client apps
- No-code onboarding apps reduce data entry errors through mobile form validation
- Client approval times significantly drop with self-service portals
- Organizations achieve 10x faster delivery compared to traditional coding approaches
- Real-time bidirectional sync keeps spreadsheet data and app data perfectly aligned
Why Google Sheets Is a Great Data Source for Your Onboarding App
Your Google Sheets client database already contains everything you need—contact information, onboarding stages, project details, and communication history. The problem isn't your data; it's the delivery mechanism. Spreadsheets weren't designed for client-facing interactions, mobile access, or automated workflows.
Google Sheets excels as a starting point for client onboarding apps because:
- Familiar interface: Your team already knows how to update and manage spreadsheet data
- Zero infrastructure costs: No database setup, hosting fees, or technical configuration required
- Instant collaboration: Multiple team members can update client records simultaneously
- Flexible structure: Add new columns for custom fields without database migrations
- Export simplicity: CSV backups provide disaster recovery without specialized tools
The challenge emerges when clients need access to their own data. Sharing raw spreadsheets creates security risks, confuses non-technical users, and makes your business appear unprofessional. Converting that spreadsheet into a branded mobile app solves these problems while preserving your existing data management workflow.
Setting Up Your Google Sheet for Client Onboarding
Before connecting your spreadsheet to Adalo, proper data structure prevents 90% of integration failures. Clean data imports smoothly; messy data causes sync errors and missing fields.
Key Data Fields for Optimal Onboarding
Structure your spreadsheet with clear column headers in Row 1:
- Client_ID: Unique identifier for each client record
- Client_Name: Full name or company name
- Email: Primary contact email for authentication
- Onboarding_Stage: Current status (New, In Progress, Awaiting Documents, Complete)
- Assigned_Team_Member: Internal owner for each client
- Start_Date: When onboarding began
- Due_Date: Target completion date
- Documents_Submitted: Yes/No or count of required items
- Notes: Free-text field for additional context
Organizing Your Sheet for Easy Integration
Following External Collections setup guidelines, prepare your data:
- Remove merged cells and hidden columns that break imports
- Standardize date formats to YYYY-MM-DD or MM/DD/YYYY
- Eliminate complex formulas like ARRAYFORMULA that cause sync failures
- Populate at least one complete sample record—Adalo won't import empty columns
- Separate related data into distinct sheets (Clients, Tasks, Documents)
This preparation typically takes 30-60 minutes depending on data complexity, but saves hours of troubleshooting later.
Connecting Google Sheets to Adalo: Your Data's New Home
Adalo offers multiple integration methods, but SheetBridge provides the fastest path from spreadsheet to functional app.
Step-by-Step SheetBridge Setup
- Visit sheetbridge.adalo.com and authenticate with your Adalo account
- Connect your Google account and select the target spreadsheet
- Review the auto-detected schema—SheetBridge identifies column types and relationships automatically
- Adjust any misidentified data types in the schema review interface
- Complete the import to create Adalo Collections mirroring your spreadsheet
The process delivers real-time bidirectional sync between your spreadsheet and app. Changes made in Google Sheets appear in your app within seconds, and app submissions write back to your spreadsheet automatically.
Alternative: External Collections API
For advanced customization, External Collections on Professional plans ($52/month annually or $65 monthly) provide direct API access:
- Publish your Google Sheet to web and copy the link
- Create a Google Cloud project and enable the Sheets API
- Configure External Collections in Adalo's database tab with your API key
- Set the update method to PATCH instead of PUT to prevent data loss
This approach requires 20-30 minutes but offers custom data transformations and filtering options.
Designing Your Adalo Onboarding App: Visualizing Client Journeys
With data connected, Adalo's drag-and-drop builder transforms spreadsheet rows into polished mobile screens. The platform includes pre-built components for forms, lists, authentication, and file management.
Crafting an Intuitive User Experience
Start with pre-built templates designed for client portals and onboarding workflows:
- Dashboard screen: Display client-specific data with progress indicators
- Task list screen: Show pending items with completion checkboxes
- Document library: Enable file uploads and downloads
- Profile settings: Let clients update their own contact information
- Communication hub: In-app messaging tied to specific projects
Each screen pulls data directly from your Google Sheet through the SheetBridge connection. Filter lists by the logged-in user's email to ensure clients see only their own records—a critical security requirement for client portal applications.
Branding Your Onboarding Flow
Adalo supports custom branding on Starter plans and above:
- Upload your logo and favicon
- Set primary and secondary brand colors
- Choose from the font library or upload custom fonts
- Configure splash screens for native mobile apps
- Remove Adalo branding for white-label deployments
Building Core Features: Client Dashboards and Task Management
The most effective onboarding apps replace email follow-ups with self-service functionality. Based on agency case studies, core features include:
Personalized Client Portals
Configure visibility rules so each client accesses only their data:
- Filter all lists by logged-in user email matching the Client_Email field
- Display personalized welcome messages with the client's name
- Show relevant due dates and upcoming milestones
- Provide quick-action buttons for common tasks (upload document, approve deliverable)
Automating Onboarding Milestones
Use Adalo's built-in actions and Zapier integration to automate workflows:
- Trigger welcome emails when new clients register
- Send Slack notifications to team members when documents upload
- Update onboarding stage automatically when all tasks complete
- Create reminder sequences for incomplete steps
Teams implementing these automations report 15 hours weekly saved on manual follow-ups previously handled through email.
Adding Interactive Elements: Forms, Checklists, and Communication
Streamlining Information Collection
Replace emailed questionnaires with in-app forms:
- Conditional logic shows relevant fields based on previous answers
- Required field validation prevents incomplete submissions
- File upload components accept documents, images, and signatures
- Form submissions write directly back to your Google Sheet via SheetBridge
Mobile form validation reduces data entry errors compared to manual spreadsheet entry, ensuring cleaner data from the start.
Enhancing Client-Side Engagement
Keep clients informed without email clutter:
- Push notifications alert clients to new items requiring attention
- Progress bars visualize onboarding completion percentage
- In-app messaging creates searchable communication history
- Document approval workflows with accept/reject actions
These features transform passive spreadsheet viewers into engaged participants, cutting client approval times significantly on average.
Testing and Iterating Your Client Onboarding App
Ensuring a Seamless Client Experience
Adalo's Free tier allows unlimited test apps, enabling thorough validation before launch:
- Preview apps in browser or on mobile devices via QR code
- Test all user roles—admin views versus client views
- Verify data sync accuracy between app and Google Sheet
- Check form submissions write correct values to spreadsheet columns
- Confirm notification triggers fire at appropriate moments
Gathering Feedback for Continuous Improvement
Launch with a pilot group of 5-10 clients before full deployment:
- Monitor which features clients actually use
- Identify confusion points in the onboarding flow
- Gather direct feedback through in-app surveys
- Track completion rates against your previous email-based process
The iterative development cycle typically takes 1-2 weeks, with most teams achieving functional apps within 2-8 hours of building time.
Publishing Your Client Onboarding App to Web and Mobile
Reaching Your Clients Anywhere, Anytime
Adalo enables direct publishing to multiple platforms from a single build:
- Web app: Custom domain deployment for browser access
- iOS app: Native Apple App Store publishing
- Android app: Native Google Play Store publishing
Unlike web wrappers, Adalo creates true native applications with push notifications, offline capabilities, and app store distribution.
Choosing the Right Publishing Option
Web (Adalo subdomain)
- Requirements: Free plan
- Best For: Testing and internal tools
Web (Custom domain)
- Requirements: Starter plan ($36/month annually or $45 monthly)
- Best For: Client-facing portals
iOS App Store
- Requirements: Starter+ plan, Apple Developer ($99/year)
- Best For: Mobile-first clients
Google Play Store
- Requirements: Starter+ plan, Google Developer ($25 one-time)
- Best For: Android user base
Most businesses start with web deployment and add native apps once client adoption proves successful.
Why Adalo Stands Apart for Spreadsheet-to-App Conversion
While multiple no-code platforms exist, Adalo delivers unique advantages specifically designed for transforming spreadsheet data into professional client applications.
SheetBridge: The Fastest Path from Spreadsheet to App
SheetBridge provides capabilities no other platform matches for Google Sheets integration:
- Quick setup: Complete spreadsheet-to-app conversion without technical skills
- Automatic schema detection: Column types and relationships identified automatically
- Real-time bidirectional sync: Changes propagate in seconds, not minutes
- No API configuration required: Skip Google Cloud Console setup entirely
- Preserved data relationships: Multi-sheet workbooks maintain referential integrity
Traditional development requires 3-6 months for equivalent functionality. SheetBridge delivers working apps the same day.
Enterprise-Grade Platform Capabilities
Beyond SheetBridge, Adalo's platform includes:
- Native mobile publishing: True iOS and Android apps, not web wrappers
- Component marketplace: Additional components for specialized functionality
- External Collections API: Connect to any REST endpoint for advanced integrations
- Xano integration: Enterprise backend scaling when you outgrow Google Sheets
- 99% average uptime: Reliable infrastructure for business-critical applications
The platform has powered over 1 million apps, processing 20 million+ daily data requests with 2 million+ registered end users.
Pricing That Scales With Your Business
Adalo's pricing starts at $0 for testing and scales predictably:
- Free: Unlimited test apps, 200 records—validate your concept
- Starter ($36/month annually or $45 monthly): 1 published app, custom domain, native publishing
- Professional ($52/month annually or $65 monthly): 2 apps, External Collections API, 5 editors
- Team ($160/month annually or $200 monthly): 5 apps, priority support, Xano integration included
- Business ($200/month annually or $250 monthly): 10 apps, advanced features, dedicated support
With organizations saving an average of $1.7 million annually using no-code platforms, even the highest tier represents extraordinary value.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use other spreadsheet tools besides Google Sheets with Adalo?
Yes. While SheetBridge is optimized for Google Sheets, Adalo's External Collections connect to any data source with a REST API. Airtable integration provides enhanced database features, and CSV imports support Excel data migration. Most businesses start with Google Sheets for familiarity, then migrate to Adalo's internal database or Xano as they scale.
Do I need any coding knowledge to build this app?
No coding required. Adalo's visual builder uses drag-and-drop components, and SheetBridge handles all technical configuration automatically. Independent reviews confirm beginners create functional apps within hours. The platform philosophy—"if you can make a slide deck, you can make an app"—reflects genuine accessibility for non-technical users.
Can I update my Google Sheet and have the changes reflect in the Adalo app automatically?
Yes—this is SheetBridge's core functionality. Changes made in Google Sheets appear in your app within seconds through real-time bidirectional sync. App form submissions write back to your spreadsheet automatically, maintaining a single source of truth. This sync continues indefinitely without manual intervention.
What happens when my data grows beyond Google Sheets' limits?
When your data volume approaches Google Sheets' limits, migrate to Adalo's internal database or Xano for enterprise-scale backends. Team plans ($160/month annually or $200 monthly) include Xano integration, providing a clear upgrade path without rebuilding your app.
