How to Convert Google Forms Responses to PDF Using Zapier

5 Minutes Read

This tutorial shows how to turn each Google Forms response into a formatted PDF using Google Sheets, Zapier, and PDF.co.

The workflow follows this sequence:

Google Forms response → Google Sheets row → PDF.co HTML to PDF → PDF output

IN THIS TUTORIAL

Connect the Form to Google Sheets

Set Up the Google Sheets Trigger

Add the PDF.co Action

Create the PDF Content

Test the PDF Creation

Save or Send the PDF

Step 1: Connect the Form to Google Sheets

Open your Google Form and select the Responses tab. Create or select a linked Google Sheets spreadsheet.

Each form submission will be added to the spreadsheet as a new row. The column headings correspond to the questions in the form.

Submit a test response before creating the Zap. Zapier will use this row when testing the workflow.

Step 2: Set Up the Google Sheets Trigger

Create a new Zap and select Google Sheets as the trigger application.

Configure the trigger:

Trigger Event: New Spreadsheet Row
Spreadsheet: Select the spreadsheet connected to the form.
Worksheet: Select the sheet containing the responses.

Connect your Google account and test the trigger. Confirm that Zapier retrieves the test response and displays the submitted values.

Step 3: Add the PDF.co Action

Add an action and select PDF.co.

Choose HTML to PDF as the action event. Connect your PDF.co account when prompted and authorize Zapier to access it.

The dedicated HTML to PDF action accepts HTML code or a webpage URL and generates a PDF. See the HTML to PDF action documentation for all supported settings.

Step 4: Create the PDF Content

In HTML or URL Input, enter the HTML that will define the PDF’s content and formatting. Insert values from the Google Sheets trigger wherever the form response should appear.

For example:

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
  <meta charset="UTF-8">
  <style>
    body {
      font-family: Arial, sans-serif;
      margin: 40px;
      color: #222;
    }

    h1 {
      color: #2457a7;
      border-bottom: 2px solid #2457a7;
      padding-bottom: 10px;
    }

    .field {
      margin-bottom: 16px;
    }

    .label {
      font-weight: bold;
    }
  </style>
</head>
<body>
  <h1>Job Application</h1>

  <div class="field">
    <span class="label">Name:</span>
    {{Name}}
  </div>

  <div class="field">
    <span class="label">Email:</span>
    {{Email}}
  </div>

  <div class="field">
    <span class="label">Phone:</span>
    {{Phone Number}}
  </div>

  <div class="field">
    <span class="label">Experience:</span>
    {{Experience}}
  </div>
</body>
</html>

Replace each placeholder with the corresponding value from the Google Sheets trigger using Zapier’s data-mapping controls. The available fields will reflect the questions used in your form.

Configure the remaining PDF.co settings as needed:

Page Size: Select a standard size such as Letter or A4.
Page Orientation: Select Portrait or Landscape.
Custom Margins: Set the page margins if required.
Render Page Background: Enable this when the HTML uses background colors or images.
Name: Enter an output filename, such as Application-Name.pdf. The applicant’s name can be mapped from the trigger to create a unique filename.

Step 5: Test the PDF Creation

Test the PDF.co action.

A successful test returns a temporary URL for the generated PDF. Open the URL and confirm that:

The correct form-response data appears.
The content is properly formatted.
The page size and margins are suitable.
The filename is correct.

If necessary, revise the HTML or PDF settings and test the action again.

Step 6: Save or Send the PDF

Add another Zapier action to store or distribute the completed document. For example, you can:

Upload the PDF to Google Drive.
Save it to Dropbox or OneDrive.
Attach it to an email.
Send it to a document-management system.

Map the PDF.co output URL to the file field in the destination action. Test the complete workflow, then publish the Zap.

Conclusion

The Zap will now generate a formatted PDF whenever a new Google Forms response is added to the connected spreadsheet. The HTML template controls the document’s appearance, while values from the form personalize each generated PDF automatically.