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// File: src/content/docs/remove-duplicates-forms/getting-started/quick-setup.md // Location: src/content/docs/remove-duplicates-forms/getting-started/ // Purpose: 60-second quick setup guide for Remove Duplicates in Forms

title: "Quick Setup (60 Seconds)" description: "Get Remove Duplicates in Forms working in under a minute with our streamlined setup process" order: 2 lastUpdated: "2025-01-20" readingTime: 3 keywords: ["quick setup", "configuration", "remove duplicates", "google forms", "fast start"]

Quick Setup (60 Seconds)

Transform your Google Form into a duplicate-free data collection system in three simple steps. No technical expertise required!

Before Starting

✅ Quick Checklist

  • [ ] Remove Duplicates add-on is installed
  • [ ] You have a Google Form with responses
  • [ ] Your form has a linked spreadsheet (or you can create one)
  • [ ] You're ready to clean your data!

Missing Something? If the add-on isn't installed yet, see our Installation Guide.

Step 1: Open Remove Duplicates (15 seconds)

  1. Open your Google Form
  2. Click Extensions in the top menu
  3. Select 🧹 Remove Duplicates in Forms
  4. Click 👉 Find & Delete duplicates

You'll see the main interface (650x650px modal) with three tabs:

  • ✨ Smart Detect - Automatic duplicate detection
  • 🎯 Manual Select - Choose specific fields
  • 📊 Results - View and manage duplicates

What You'll See

The header shows:

  • Your form name
  • Total response count
  • Linked spreadsheet status (green if connected)
  • Your trial/subscription status

No Spreadsheet Warning: If you see "No linked spreadsheet", the add-on will show a yellow warning. Link a spreadsheet via the Responses tab first!

Step 2: Run Your First Scan (30 seconds)

Option A: Smart Detection (Recommended)

Best for: Most users who want automatic detection

  1. Stay on the Smart Detect tab (default)
  2. Click the ✨ Auto-Detect Duplicates button
  3. Wait 2-5 seconds while the add-on:
    • Analyzes your form fields
    • Identifies duplicate-prone fields (email, name, ID)
    • Scans all responses
    • Shows actual duplicate values found

What happens: The add-on automatically detects fields like:

  • Email addresses
  • Names (first, last, full)
  • Phone numbers
  • Student/Employee IDs
  • Any required text fields

Option B: Manual Selection

Best for: Users who know exactly which fields to check

  1. Click the Manual Select tab
  2. Click 🎯 Select Fields & Options
  3. In the slide-in drawer (420px from right):
    • Check the fields you want to scan
    • Choose detection options:
      • [ ] Case sensitive matching
      • [ ] Fuzzy matching (finds similar values)
    • Select keep strategy:
      • ◉ Keep first response (original)
      • ○ Keep latest response (most recent)
  4. Click 🔍 Find Duplicates

Step 3: Review Results (15 seconds)

After scanning completes, you'll automatically switch to the Results tab:

Understanding Your Results

📊 Results Summary Bar:
[12 to remove] [88 to keep] [✅ Ready]

Duplicate Groups Display

Each duplicate group shows:

  • Field name and value: e.g., "Email: [email protected]"
  • Count badge: Number of duplicates found
  • Expandable list: Click to see all duplicate responses

Response Details

For each duplicate response, you'll see:

  • Checkbox: ✓ = Keep, ☐ = Remove
  • Timestamp: When the response was submitted
  • Original badge: Green label for the first occurrence
  • Full data: All form fields and answers
  • Respondent email: If collected

Checkbox Logic

  • Checked (✓): This response will be KEPT
  • Unchecked (☐): This response will be REMOVED
  • Default: Based on your strategy (Keep First or Keep Latest)

Taking Action

Once you've reviewed the duplicates, choose your action:

Option 1: Update Linked Sheet (Recommended)

What it does: Removes duplicates directly from your linked spreadsheet

  1. Review which responses are checked/unchecked
  2. Click 📊 Update Linked Sheet
  3. Confirm the action (backup will be created)
  4. Wait 3-5 seconds for completion

Result: Your linked spreadsheet is cleaned, with a backup sheet created

Option 2: Create Clean Sheet

What it does: Creates a new sheet with only clean data

  1. Review your selections
  2. Click ✨ Create Clean Sheet
  3. A new sheet is created with duplicate-free data
  4. Original sheet remains unchanged

Free Trial vs Premium

During your 7-day free trial, you have full access to:

  • ✅ Unlimited duplicate scanning
  • ✅ Remove unlimited duplicates
  • ✅ Create clean sheets
  • ✅ Advanced detection options
  • ✅ Export duplicate reports

After trial: Premium features require subscription ($2.99/month billed annually)

Quick Configuration Options

Detection Strategies Explained

| Strategy | When to Use | Result | |----------|------------|--------| | Keep First | Prevent repeat submissions | Keeps original response, removes later duplicates | | Keep Latest | Get most updated info | Keeps newest response, removes older duplicates | | Custom Selection | Manual control | You choose each response individually |

Field Selection Tips

Auto-detect works best for:

  • Standard contact forms
  • Event registrations
  • Survey responses
  • Newsletter signups

Manual selection needed for:

  • Custom ID fields
  • Specific business logic
  • Partial duplicate checking
  • Complex matching rules

Verification Checklist

After setup, verify everything is working:

  • [ ] Scan completed: Shows duplicate count
  • [ ] Results displayed: Can see actual duplicate values
  • [ ] Backup created: Check for "Backup_[date]" sheet
  • [ ] Action buttons enabled: Update/Create buttons are clickable
  • [ ] Trial active: Shows "✨ Premium Account" or days remaining

Common First-Time Issues

"No duplicates found"

Possible reasons:

  • Your form has no duplicate responses (good news!)
  • Fields selected don't contain duplicates
  • Detection settings are too strict

Solution: Try Smart Detect or select different fields

"No linked spreadsheet"

Solution:

  1. Go to form's Responses tab
  2. Click green spreadsheet icon
  3. Create or link a spreadsheet
  4. Return to Remove Duplicates

"Update Sheet button disabled"

Reasons:

  • No duplicates found yet
  • No spreadsheet linked
  • No responses selected for removal

Solution: Run a scan first and ensure some duplicates are unchecked

"Trial expired" message

Solution:

  • Click Upgrade Now to continue using premium features
  • Or use free features (view duplicates only)

Pro Tips for Best Results

🎯 Optimal Field Selection

  • Email fields: Most reliable for identifying unique users
  • ID numbers: Perfect for student/employee databases
  • Phone numbers: Good for customer databases
  • Names: Use with caution (many people share names)

⚡ Performance Tips

  • Forms with <1,000 responses: Instant scanning
  • Forms with 1,000-10,000: 3-5 seconds
  • Forms with 10,000+: 10-20 seconds

🔒 Safety Features

  • Always creates backup: Before any deletion
  • Never modifies form: Only cleans spreadsheet
  • Undo possible: Restore from backup sheet
  • Preview first: Review before removing

What Happens to Your Data?

During Scanning

  1. Reads form responses (no modification)
  2. Analyzes for duplicates in memory
  3. Shows results in interface
  4. Waits for your action

During Cleaning

  1. Creates timestamped backup sheet
  2. Removes selected rows from spreadsheet
  3. Preserves all other data
  4. Logs the operation

Data Privacy

  • No external storage: All processing within Google
  • No data transmission: Everything stays in your account
  • Temporary processing: Results cleared after session
  • You control deletion: Nothing automatic without approval

Next Steps

Now that you're set up:

Immediate Actions

  1. Run regular scans: Weekly or after events
  2. Save your settings: Remember your field selections
  3. Check the backup: Verify backup sheet was created

Learn More

Advanced Features

Quick Reference Card

Keyboard Shortcuts

  • Ctrl+R - Refresh scan results
  • Space - Toggle checkbox selection
  • Esc - Close drawer/dialog

Button Reference

| Button | Action | When Available | |--------|--------|----------------| | ✨ Auto-Detect | Smart scan | Always | | 🎯 Select Fields | Manual config | Always | | 📊 Update Sheet | Clean spreadsheet | After scan + linked sheet | | ✨ Create Clean | New clean sheet | After scan | | Clear | Reset results | After scan |

Status Indicators

  • 🟢 Green dot: Premium active
  • 🟡 Yellow dot: Trial (3 days warning)
  • 🔴 Red dot: Trial expired
  • ✅ Ready badge: Results ready for action

Getting Help

Quick Support

  • In-app help: Click "Help" from Extensions menu
  • Email support: [email protected]
  • Response time: Within 24 hours

Resources

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