Documents Mode in Google Sheets

Use Documents mode in Google Sheets™ when you want to turn invoices, receipts, statements, forms, and similar files into rows in a sheet, not just copy a table that is visible on the page.

It works best for repeat jobs, where the same kind of document goes into the same columns every time.

Quick Start#

1. In Google Sheets™, open Tables & Convert > Image to Table in the sidebar.
2. Add an image or PDF page. Documents is already selected in Sheets.
3. Open Documents Setup and pick a document type, or leave it on Auto-detect.
4. Check the column headers. Rename, remove, or add columns with + Add column.
5. Choose one row per document, or multiple rows per document.
6. Extract, and the rows are inserted into the active sheet.

Pick the Document Type#

There are 24 presets in five groups. Each preset comes with suitable column headers and tells the AI what kind of document to expect.

• Finance & Accounting: Invoice / Bill, Receipt, Bank Statement, Tax Form, Check
• Healthcare: Patient Intake Form, Prescription, Lab Report, Medical Chart, Insurance Claim
• Legal & Administration: Contract, ID / Passport, Court Filing, Notarized Deed, Employment Form, Business Card
• Logistics & Supply Chain: Bill of Lading (BOL), Packing Slip, Customs Declaration, Inventory Log
• Education: Transcript, Application Form, Exam Paper, Library Archive

Use Auto-detect if you are not sure, or Custom to describe a document type that is not on the list.

Choose the Column Headers#

• From First Scan (AI): The first scan looks at the document and suggests headers.
• Use Existing Sheet Headers: The data is mapped to the headers already in your sheet. This is the best choice for a running log.
• From Category Preset: Start from the headers of the selected preset.

Whichever source you choose, you can edit the list before extracting. Click + Add column to add a field the preset does not include, such as a cost center or a PO number.

Save Your Own Templates#

If you extract the same kind of document often, save the setup so you do not have to rebuild it each time.

1. Set up the document type, the column headers, and the description the way you want them.
2. Click Save as template and give the template a name.
3. Next time, pick it from My templates at the top of the Document Type list.

Templates are saved to your Google account, so they are available in every spreadsheet. To remove one, select it and click Delete template.

Choose the Output Shape#

• Single row per document: Each document becomes one summary row, for example in an expense log or invoice register.
• Multiple rows per document: Repeated items get their own rows, for example invoice line items, statement entries, or courses on a transcript.

Choose How to Insert#

• Append rows: Adds the new rows below the existing data. Good for logs and recurring imports.
• Overwrite sheet: Replaces the contents of the current sheet with the new result.

Optional Extras#

• Add source file column: Adds a Source file column with the name of the image or PDF each row came from. Turn this on when a batch mixes several files, so every row can be traced back.
• Apply column data types: After the rows are inserted, the add-on detects a format for each column (Date, Date & Time, Currency, Integer, Number, Percentage, or Text). Click Continue to open Review Column Formats, check the sample values, change any format, then click Apply Formats. This overwrites existing number formats in those columns. You can also run it later with the Format Columns button.

Related Links#

• Queue, Batches, and PDF Pages - Add several images or selected PDF pages before running Documents mode.

• Table and Full Modes - Use these modes when you want a regular table or the full page content.

• Image to Table - Back to the Image to Table overview.