Hanzi to Pinyin

Privacy Policy

Effective date: July 25, 2026

This Privacy Policy explains how Hanzi to Pinyin (“the add-on,” “we,” or “our”) handles information when you use the add-on in Google Sheets.

1. Information the add-on processes

Depending on how you use the add-on, it may process:

• Chinese or mixed-language text supplied to the PINYIN custom function.
• Text contained in spreadsheet cells that you select for menu-based conversion.
• Your selected output preferences, such as tone style, capitalization, and overwrite behavior.
• Basic technical information generated by Google Apps Script when the add-on runs, such as execution and error information.

The add-on does not require you to create a separate Hanzi to Pinyin account.

2. How information is used

Information is used only to:

• Convert the text you request into Pinyin.
• Return or write the converted result in Google Sheets.
• Remember your formatting preferences.
• Maintain security, diagnose errors, and improve reliability.

3. Processing by Google-hosted services

To generate Pinyin, the add-on sends the text you choose to convert over HTTPS to a Google-hosted translation and romanization endpoint at translate.googleapis.com. Google may process that text under its own terms and privacy policies.

Do not submit confidential, regulated, or highly sensitive information for conversion unless you are authorized to send that information to Google for processing.

4. Storage and retention

Spreadsheet content

We do not copy your spreadsheet content into an external database or developer-operated server. Converted output is returned to or written within your Google Sheet.

Temporary cache

The add-on may use Google Apps Script’s temporary script cache to improve performance. Successful Pinyin results can be cached for up to six hours, although Google may remove cached data sooner. Cache keys are generated from a one-way cryptographic digest of the source text rather than storing the source text itself as the key.

User preferences

Your formatting preferences are stored using Google Apps Script User Properties and remain associated with your Google account until you reset them or Google removes them under its service policies.

5. Sharing and sale of information

We do not sell, rent, or use spreadsheet content for advertising. Information is shared only as needed to operate the add-on, including processing by Google services as described above, or when required by law.

6. Google user data

Hanzi to Pinyin’s use and transfer of information received from Google APIs adheres to the Google API Services User Data Policy, including its Limited Use requirements.

7. Permissions

The add-on requests only permissions needed for its features, including permission to work with the active spreadsheet, store user preferences, and make external HTTPS requests for romanization. Google displays the requested permissions during authorization.

8. Your choices

You may stop processing text at any time by not running the function or menu command. You may reset saved preferences from the add-on, remove formulas or generated output from your spreadsheet, and uninstall the add-on through Google Workspace.

9. Security

The add-on relies on Google Apps Script and HTTPS for execution and transmission. No method of electronic processing is completely secure, but we limit processing and retention to what is needed for the stated functionality.

10. Children’s privacy

The add-on is an educational productivity tool and is not directed specifically to children under 13. Schools, teachers, parents, and guardians are responsible for using the add-on in accordance with applicable educational and child-privacy requirements.

11. Changes to this policy

We may update this policy when the add-on, its data practices, or legal requirements change. The effective date at the top of this page will be updated when material changes are made.