Your API Key, Your Control
CryptoReportKit uses a BYOK model: you bring your own CoinGecko API key. For web dashboards, your key is stored locally in your browser and sent to our backend only to fetch CoinGecko data for you. For Excel templates, you can keep your key in the workbook and connect directly.
Why BYOK?
- Your key: Stored locally in your browser for web dashboards (and in your workbook for Excel)
- BYOK: You use your own CoinGecko plan (Demo or Pro) under CoinGecko's terms
- Transparent pricing: Pay CoinGecko directly for your tier (free Demo available)
- Control: You can clear your stored key any time from your browser
Two options: Use our Excel templates (with prefetched data) or the live dashboards on the website (key in browser localStorage). For web dashboards, requests are made via our backend to fetch CoinGecko data.
How to Get Your CoinGecko API Key
Create a CoinGecko Account
If you don't have a CoinGecko account, create one for free.
Go to CoinGecko API PricingChoose a CoinGecko Plan
CoinGecko offers multiple plans including a free Demo tier. Check their pricing page for current limits and features.
Limits depend on your CoinGecko plan. See CoinGecko API pricing for current rate limits and call quotas.
Open the Developer Dashboard
Once you've enabled a plan, go to your CoinGecko Developer Dashboard.
Open Developer DashboardGenerate an API Key
In the Developer Dashboard, click "+ Add New Key" to generate your API key. Give it a descriptive name (e.g., "CryptoReportKit Excel").
Your key will look like: CG-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Download Templates
Get static Excel templates with prefetched data:
- Go to the Downloads page
- Choose a template for your analysis needs
- Open the .xlsx file in Excel — data is already included
- Download a fresh template anytime to get updated data
Security Best Practices
- Treat your API key like a password. Don't share workbooks that contain your key in plain text.
- Use a named cell for your key. Store it on a hidden "Settings" sheet that you exclude when sharing.
- Rotate your key if exposed. If you accidentally share your key, delete it in CoinGecko and generate a new one.
- Monitor your usage. Check your CoinGecko dashboard regularly to ensure no unexpected activity.
Additional Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Demo plan really free?
Yes! CoinGecko offers a free Demo plan that doesn't require a credit card. It has rate limits suitable for personal use with our Free templates.
Does CryptoReportKit store my API key?
For web dashboards, your API key is stored in your browser's localStorage. When you load data, the key is sent to our backend so it can fetch CoinGecko data for you. For Excel templates, you can keep the key inside the workbook.
Can I share templates with my key in them?
You can, but we recommend using a named cell on a hidden Settings sheet. Remove or clear that sheet before sharing. Better yet, share the template without your key and let recipients add their own.
What if I exceed my CoinGecko rate limit?
Excel will show an error. Reduce refresh frequency or upgrade to CoinGecko Pro for higher limits.
Do I need a CoinGecko Pro key for paid templates?
Not necessarily. Paid templates work with free API keys but may hit rate limits faster due to more data. For 100+ coins, we recommend CoinGecko Pro for reliable performance.