Headers showing as letters (A, B, C) in Google Sheets "Add a Row" module

Hi Guys,

Might somebody be able to assist me with this issue I am having.

The Objective: I am building an automation to capture anonymised research data for a white paper. The logic requires mapping two different types of survey variables into a 13-column sheet: numerical totals and specific qualitative text labels (the exact words a respondent chose) [135, Artifact 18].

Because I need to distinguish between these different “data pills” at a glance, I must see my Row 1 header names (e.g., “Total Score,” “Obstacles”). Generic letters (A, B, C) do not provide enough visibility to ensure the correct text variable is landing in the right research category.

Technical Status:

  • Connection: Fully authorised with all Google Drive and Sheets permissions enabled.

  • Module Settings: “Table contains headers” and “Use column headers as IDs” are both set to Yes.

  • Spreadsheet Layout: I have verified headers are in Row 1 with no empty rows above them.

  • The Problem: Despite hitting Refresh, the module stays stuck in a loop showing only generic letters.

Has anyone found a way to force Make to “see” Row 1 consistently when the standard refresh triggers fail?

Thanks in advance, any guidance or advice would be appreciated.

Paul

Hello paul,

Think of this like unplugging a router and plugging it back in. We are going to force the module to forget the letters and look for your words.

1.Turn on the ‘Map’ Switch:Step 1.

Inside your Add a Row module, find the Spreadsheet ID box. Click the small gray Map switch next to it so it turns green.

2.Delete the Code:Step 2.

You will see a weird code (the ID) in the box. Delete everything inside that box so it is completely empty.

3.Turn off the ‘Map’ Switch:Step 3.

Click that same Map switch again to turn it back off. The box will turn back into a normal dropdown menu.

4.Pick your Sheet again:Step 4.

Re-select your Spreadsheet name and your specific Sheet name (like “Sheet1”) from the lists.

5.Hit the Refresh Button:Step 5.

At the very bottom of that module window, click the blue Refresh button. Your real header names should now appear in place of the letters.

Hi Bolex_Creatives,

Thank you for your response.

This ‘hard reset’ logic is very clear, thank you. One quick follow-up: Should I also ensure my ‘Use column headers as IDs’ toggle is set to ‘Yes’ before that final refresh, and does it matter if my headers are in Row 1 versus further down the sheet for this reset to take hold?

Thanks

Paul

Hi Bolex_Creatives,

Thank you again for your advice. I have been testing this.

have verified my Google Sheet has headers in Row 1, my Spreadsheet ID is clean (no slashes/spaces), and the ‘Use column headers as IDs’ toggle is set to Yes.

However, even after a ‘Hard Reset’ and refreshing, I am still only seeing generic letters (A, B, C) in the mapping panel instead of my header names.

Is there a specific Google Account permission (Scope) or a hidden spreadsheet setting that could specifically block Make from reading Row 1 metadata while still allowing it to see the file?

Thanks again.

Cheers

Paul

HelloPaul,

  1. The “Clean Slate” Trick (Deleting Ghost Rows)

Sometimes Google Sheets thinks your headers are in a different place because there is “invisible data” hiding in your sheet.

  • What to do: Go to your Google Sheet. Select every column after your 13th column (from Column N all the way to the end). Right-click and choose “Delete Columns.”

  • Then, do the same for the rows. Select everything from Row 2 to the bottom. Right-click and choose “Delete Rows.”

  • Why this works: It leaves Make with nowhere else to look except for your Row 1 headers.

2. The “New Connection” Nudge

If the “Hard Reset” from before didn’t work, your “Connection” (the digital bridge between Make and Google) might be weak.

1.Add a New Connection:Step 1.

Inside the Google Sheets module, look at the very top box called Connection. Click the Add button.

2.Give it a Name:Step 2.

Give it a new name like “Paul’s Research Sheet” and click Save.

3.Check All the Boxes:Step 3.

A Google login window will pop up. This is the most important part: Make sure you check every single box that asks for permission. If you leave even one box unchecked, Google won’t let Make see your header names.

4.Re-select your file:Step 4.

Pick your Spreadsheet and Sheet again using this brand-new connection.

3. The “Copy and Paste” Shortcut (The Magic Fix)

If the file itself is being “grumpy,” the fastest way to fix it is to move your data to a fresh home.

  1. Open your Google Sheet and click File > Make a copy.

  2. Give it a simple name like “Research Data New”.

  3. Go back into Make, pick this new file, and hit Refresh.

Hi Bolex_Creatives,

Thank you for your suggestions, really appreciated.

I will try them and let you know how I get on.

Thanks

Paul