# Google Docs
Google Docs (opens new window) is a cloud-based word processor that enables users to create, edit, and collaborate on documents in real-time. It integrates seamlessly with Google Workspace and offers features like commenting, version history, and smart editing tools to enhance productivity.
# API version
The Google Docs connector uses the Google Docs API v1 (opens new window).
# Connection setup
The Google Docs connector supports the following authentication types:
SERVICE ACCOUNT AUTHENTICATION
You can use a service account to authenticate without a personal user account. For consistent use, Workato recommends service account authentication.
# Download the Google Docs connector from the Community library
View steps to download the Google Docs connector from the community library
Complete the following steps to install the Google Docs connector from the community library (opens new window):
Open the recipe editor and search for a connector. Alternatively, you can search for a connector in the community library (opens new window).
Search for community connectors in the recipe editor
Select the community connector you plan to install.
Click Install to install the connector from the community library.
Click Install
Select Release connector. Alternatively, select Review code to review and modify the connector code before releasing it to the workspace.
Release the connector
Summarize any changes you made to the connector, then click Release to allow workspace collaborators to use the connector in recipes.
The Confirm release dialog
# OAuth 2.0
Complete the following steps to connect to Google Docs in Workato with OAuth 2.0 authentication:
- Configure the OAuth consent screen
- Delegate domain-wide authority to the service account
- Generate a client ID and client secret
- Connect to Google Docs with OAuth 2.0
# Google Docs setup
Complete the following steps to set up Google docs for OAuth 2.0 authentication:
# Configure the OAuth consent screen
View OAuth consent screen steps
Complete the following steps to configure the OAuth consent screen:
Open the Google Cloud Console (opens new window) and go to APIs & Services > OAuth consent screen.
Click Get started.
Enter Workato in the App name field.
Enter an email in the User support email field.
Click Next.
Select External as the Audience. Refer to Manage App Audience (opens new window) to learn more about user types.
Click Next.
Enter an email address in the Contact information section.
Select the checkbox to agree to Google API Services User Data Policy and click Continue. Refer to Google API Services User Data Policy (opens new window) for more information.
Click Create.
Click the Data access tab and select Add or Remove Scopes.
Select the necessary scopes, such as:
https://www.googleapis.com/auth/documentshttps://www.googleapis.com/auth/documents.readonly
Click Save.
# Delegate domain-wide authority to the service account
View delegate domain-wide authority to the service account steps
Complete the following steps to delegate domain-wide authority to the service account:
Open the Google Admin console (opens new window) and go to the Main menu.
Go to Security > Access and data control > API Controls.
Go to Security > Access and data control > API Controls > Domain-wide Delegation.
Click Manage Domain Wide Delegation.
Click Add new.
Enter the Client ID from the service account JSON file.
Add the necessary scopes for your OAuth consent screen configuration in the OAuth scopes (comma-delimited) field.
Click Authorize.
# Generate a client ID and client secret
Refer to the Google Manage OAuth Clients (opens new window) guide to create a client ID and secret using https://www.workato.com/oauth/callback as the redirect URI.
# Connect to Google Docs with OAuth 2.0
View connect to Google Docs with OAuth 2.0 steps
Complete the following steps to set up your connection with OAuth 2.0 authentication:
Click Create > Connection.
Search for Google Docs and select it as your app.
Provide a name for your connection in the Connection name field.
OAuth 2.0 connection
Use the Location drop-down menu to select the project where you plan to store the connection.
Enter the Client ID and Client secret. Refer to the Google Manage OAuth Clients (opens new window) guide to generate these values using https://www.workato.com/oauth/callback as the redirect URI.
Optional. Use the Custom OAuth profile drop-down menu to select a custom OAuth profile for your connection.
Click Sign in with Google.
# Service account authentication
A Google service account is a specialized Google account associated with a Google Cloud Project (GCP) that can run API requests on your behalf.
Service accounts provide the following benefits:
- Continuous operation: Service accounts ensure that operations continue even if individual user permissions change.
- Dedicated permissions: Service accounts can only access projects that you share with them.
- Dedicated API quotas: You can manage a service account's API quotas through GCP and request quota increases directly from Google.
Refer to the Google service account documentation (opens new window) to learn more about service accounts.
PREREQUISITES
You must Enable the Google Docs API (opens new window) in the Google Cloud API console before you can connect to Google Docs with service account authentication.
Complete the following steps to connect to Google Docs in Workato with service account authentication:
- Create a service account and generate a private key
- Share Google Docs with the service account
- Connect to Google Docs with service account authentication
# Google Docs setup
Complete the following steps to set up Google Docs for service account authentication:
# Set up a Google service account
View set up a Google service account steps
Complete the following steps to set up a Google service account:
Create a service account (opens new window) in your GCP project.
Go to IAM & Admin > Service accounts. Ensure your dashboard is scoped to the project that contains your service account.
Check the scope of your dashboard.
Click the Email of the service account you intend to use.
Click the Email of the service account you intend to use.
Copy the service account's Email and save it to configure your connection later.
Copy the account's Email.
Go to the KEYS tab.
Generate a private key (opens new window) and download it in JSON format. You can only download the key once.
Open the JSON file, then copy the entire private key from -----BEGIN PRIVATE KEY----- to -----END PRIVATE KEY-----\n (inclusive) and save it to configure your connection later.
# Share Google Docs with the service account
View share Google Docs with the service account steps
Complete the following steps to share a Google Doc with the service account:
Open Google Docs and select the document you plan to integrate.
Click Share and enter the service account email.
Assign the appropriate permissions.
Click Send.
# Connect to Google Docs with service account authentication
View connect to Google Docs with service account authentication steps
Complete the following steps to set up your connection with a service account:
Click Create > Connection.
Search for Google Docs and select it as your app.
Provide a name for your connection in the Connection name field.
Service account connection
Use the Location drop-down menu to select the project where you plan to store the connection.
Use the Auth type drop-down menu to select Service account.
Enter your service account email address in the Service account email field.
Enter your private key from the downloaded JSON in the Private key field. Refer to Create a service account and generate a private key for more information.
Click Sign in with Google.
Last updated: 4/8/2026, 10:09:10 PM