Which Sheet Automations Get a Human Approval Step, and Which Just Run?

Description and use

Determining when to insert a human approval step in Google Sheets automations to avoid delays and mistakes.

Problem

Deciding when to insert a human approval step in Apps Script automations for a small team.

Outcome

Clear guidelines reduce idle time and prevent mistakes by ensuring only risky actions are gated by human review.

Workflow

• Identify action type (safe vs. risky).
• If safe: run straight through – read, summarize, format, or write within same sheet. If risky: write a plan to a sheet, pause execution. Reviewer reviews plan rows. Reviewer approves by checking a box or entering data (e.g., leaver’s email). Second function executes approved rows.
• Define alternate approver for when primary approver is absent.

Evidence

Runs straight through: reads, summaries, formatting, and anything that only writes inside the same spreadsheet and can be redone by running it again.

Source

Writes a plan first, then waits: anything that deletes, sends something outside the company, or changes money. The job writes what it is about to do into a sheet, a person reviews the rows, and only then does a second function execute exactly those rows.

Source

The cost is real. Every approval step is a place where the job sits waiting when the one person who approves is away.

Source