User Guide
Everything you need to know about using SheetLink on the Free Tier.
Manual Sync
The Free Tier uses manual sync, meaning you control when transactions are fetched and written to your sheet.
How to Sync:
- 1.Open the SheetLink extension (click the icon in your Chrome toolbar)
- 2.Navigate to the Home tab
- 3.Click "Sync Now"
- 4.Watch the status messages as SheetLink fetches and writes your data
Status Messages:
- • Loading (blue): Checking data from Plaid
- • Success (green): Sync completed, auto-hides after 5 seconds
- • Error (red): Something went wrong, auto-hides after 8 seconds
Tabs in the Extension
SheetLink uses a modern 4-tab navigation system. Here's what each tab does:
Home Tab
Your main sync control panel. Shows connection status for Google, Bank, and Sheet. Click "Sync Now" to fetch the latest 7 days of transactions.
Bank Tab
View all connected institutions and their accounts. You can:
- • See account balances and types (checking, savings, credit card)
- • Update bank connections (if your credentials change)
- • Add new institutions (unlimited on Free Tier)
- • Disconnect institutions
Sheet Tab
Manage your connected Google Sheet. Shows:
- • Current sheet name
- • Sheet owner
- • Last write timestamp
- • Options to change or disconnect sheet
Settings Tab
View your Google account info and manage advanced settings. Includes logout option and future Free Tier benefits display.
Free Tier Limits
Transaction history per institution
Connected institutions
Sync only (no auto-sync yet)
Want more history or auto-sync? Upgrade tiers (Basic/Pro) are coming soon with 90 days or 24 months of history plus advanced features.
Error Handling
Token Expired
If you see "Your session expired," your Google OAuth token needs to be refreshed.
Fix: Click "Continue with Google" on the welcome page to re-authenticate. Then retry your sync.
Sheet Permission Error
"You do not have edit access to this sheet."
Fix: Make sure the sheet is either owned by your Google account or shared with you with edit permissions. SheetLink verifies write access before connecting.
Bank Connection Error
If your bank sync fails, you may need to update your Plaid connection.
Fix: Go to the Bank tab and click "Update Bank Connection" to re-authenticate with Plaid.
Best Practices
One Sheet Per Use Case
Use one sheet for personal budgeting, another for business expenses, etc. This keeps your data organized and makes analysis easier.
Save Backups Periodically
Make a copy of your sheet periodically (File → Make a copy). SheetLink never deletes data, but backups are always a good idea.
Use Sheets Features, Not Extension Features
SheetLink gives you raw transaction data. Use Google Sheets filters, pivot tables, and formulas to analyze it. This gives you unlimited flexibility.
Sync Regularly
The Free Tier only syncs the last 7 days. Sync at least once a week to keep your full transaction history.
Need Help?
If you're experiencing issues or have questions, we're here to help.