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WooFlow - WooCommerce to Google Sheets Exporter

A lightweight WordPress plugin that adds one-click order export from WooCommerce to Google Sheets using the official Google Sheets API.

FREELANCEBuilt during: WordPress Plugin Developer & System Architect
Tags -
Software ApplicationPHPWordPressWooCommerceGoogle Sheets APIAJAXJavaScriptREST APIOAuth 2.0Service AccountPlugin Development
Source
WooFlow - WooCommerce to Google Sheets Exporter Preview

Project Overview

WooFlow is a lightweight WordPress plugin that adds an Export button to each row of the WooCommerce Orders table, enabling one-click order data export directly to Google Sheets.

Built with pure PHP and using the official Google Sheets API via a service account, it eliminates the need for third-party services like SheetDB, Zapier, or Make.com, providing a cost-free, scalable solution.

The plugin supports both legacy and HPOS (High-Performance Order Storage) order tables, exports comprehensive order data including courier IDs, items, quantities, and addresses, and features a permanent success indicator once an order is exported.

Quick Setup Guide:

• Upload the plugin to wp-content/plugins/wooflow/ and activate from WP Admin → Plugins

• Create a Google Cloud project and enable Google Sheets API

• Create a service account and download the JSON key file

• Share your Google Sheet with the service account email (client_email) as Editor

• Find your Sheet ID from the sheet's URL (between /d/ and /edit)

• Go to WP Admin → Settings → WooFlow and configure:

• Google Sheet ID

• Sheet/Tab Name (e.g., Sheet1)

• Paste the entire JSON key file content

• Optional: Enable Debug Mode for troubleshooting

• Set up your Google Sheet with header row in columns A through O (SL, Courier ID, Order ID, Date, Customer Name, Phone, Items, Item Quantity, Total Quantity, Amount, Delivery Charge, ADC, Address, Order Notes, Source)

• Go to WooCommerce → Orders, each order now has an Export button

• Click Export on any order — data sends to Google Sheets without page refresh

• On success, button turns dark green with 'Success' permanently

• If errors occur, enable Debug Mode to see detailed error messages

Key Features

  • One-Click Order Export — Export individual WooCommerce orders to Google Sheets with a single click — no page refresh required thanks to AJAX-powered functionality.
  • Google Sheets API Integration — Direct integration with the official Google Sheets API using a service account — free to use with no third-party API limits or subscription costs.
  • Comprehensive Order Data Export — Exports serial number, courier ID (Pathao/Steadfast), order ID, date, customer name, phone, items, quantities, amount (BDT), delivery charge, address, order notes, and source.
  • Permanent Success Status — Once an order is successfully exported, the button turns dark green with 'Success' text and is permanently disabled — persisted in the database.
  • Built-in Debug Mode — Troubleshoot failed exports easily with debug mode that displays API responses and error details directly on screen.
  • Pure PHP Architecture — No Composer dependencies or external libraries — built with clean, self-contained PHP code that's lightweight and easy to maintain.
  • HPOS & Legacy Support — Works seamlessly with both WooCommerce's legacy order storage and the new High-Performance Order Storage (HPOS) system.
  • AJAX-Powered Exports — Export orders without page refresh using AJAX, providing a smooth, responsive user experience.
  • Multi-Courier Support — Automatically detects and exports courier IDs from both Pathao and Steadfast plugins with customizable meta key detection.
  • Secure Implementation — Uses WordPress nonces and capability checks to ensure only authorized users can perform exports, preventing CSRF attacks.

Technical Highlights

  • Google Sheets API with Service Account — OAuth 2.0 authentication using service account JSON keys for secure, automated access to Google Sheets without user interaction.
  • WordPress Plugin Architecture — Proper WordPress plugin structure with hooks, filters, actions, and admin menus following WordPress coding standards.
  • AJAX Integration — Custom AJAX handlers for seamless backend communication with proper nonce verification and error handling.
  • Database Meta Persistence — Stores export status as order meta data for permanent success indicators and reliable state management.
  • Pure PHP Implementation — Self-contained PHP code with no external dependencies — uses WordPress HTTP API for Google API communication.
  • Hook-Based Architecture — Utilizes WordPress action hooks to inject export buttons into order tables without modifying core WooCommerce templates.
  • OAuth 2.0 Token Management — Implements token caching with transients for performance optimization and reduced API calls.
  • Comprehensive Error Handling — Graceful error handling with user-friendly alerts and detailed debug information for troubleshooting.

Challenges & Solutions

Challenge: Integrating with Google Sheets API using service account authentication while keeping the plugin lightweight with no Composer dependencies.
Solution: Implemented OAuth 2.0 authentication using native PHP with WordPress HTTP API. Used JWT assertion flow to obtain access tokens without requiring external libraries. Cached tokens using WordPress transients for performance.
Result: A self-contained, lightweight plugin that securely authenticates with Google Sheets API using only core PHP and WordPress functions.
Challenge: Making the Export button work seamlessly with both WooCommerce legacy order tables and the newer HPOS system.
Solution: Designed the button injection using WordPress hooks that work with both table structures. Used conditionals to detect HPOS and adjust the hook points accordingly while maintaining consistent functionality.
Result: A plugin that works reliably across all WooCommerce installations regardless of their order storage method.
Challenge: Providing a permanent success status without adding complexity or slowing down the orders page.
Solution: Stored export status as order meta with key `_woosheet_is_exported` and added conditional logic to check this meta when rendering buttons. The check is efficient with a single meta query per order.
Result: Fast, persistent success indicators that survive page refreshes and provide clear visual feedback to users.
Challenge: Handling failed exports gracefully and providing users with actionable error information.
Solution: Implemented comprehensive try-catch blocks with detailed error logging. Added debug mode that displays the full API request and response for troubleshooting. Used JavaScript alerts for user-friendly error notifications.
Result: A robust system that helps users quickly identify and resolve export issues with minimal frustration.

Tech Stack Breakdown

frontend

JavaScript, AJAX, CSS (admin styles)

backend

PHP 7.4+, WordPress Plugin API, WooCommerce API

api_integration

Google Sheets API v4, OAuth 2.0, JWT

database

WordPress Options API, Post Meta API, wp_posts, wp_postmeta

authentication

OAuth 2.0, Service Account, JWT Bearer Tokens

tools

Git, WordPress Coding Standards, PHP Debug, REST API Testing