Import Data Into Google Sheets

What Is Import Data Into Google Sheets?

Import data into Google sheets, as the name suggests, helps us import data from other pages or different spreadsheets into a single worksheet. It is useful when working with different team members where we have to import all the data into one spreadsheet.

For example, consider the below table showing an empty spreadsheet.

Import Data Into Google Sheets - Example

Now, we need to import the data from the same spreadsheet. To begin with, we need to click on File and then, choose Import. Next, select the file we wish to import in the supported file type and then select the Import location. Then, select the right options with which we want to import the data and finally, click Import. We will be able to see the data imported in the spreadsheet, as shown in the below image.

Import Data Into Google Sheets - Intro - Spreedsheet

In this article, let us learn how to import data with detailed examples.

Import data in Google sheets is used to import data from the same sheet or different sheet in Google sheets.
We can import data in Google sheets manually from the same workbook or by using IMPORTANGE function to import data from other spreadsheets.
Remember, we need to name the sheet if we are working with multiple sheets.
IMPORTRANGE function has only one mandatory argument and that is “url”.
url denotes the website link from which we want to import the data.

File Types Supported For Import Into Google Sheets

There are many file formats which can be imported in the Google sheets. They are:

Comma-separated values files (CSV)
Tab-separated values files (TSV)
External subroutine files (XS)
Microsoft Excel spreadsheet files (XLSX)
XLM based and macro enabled files (XLSM)
Text files (TXT)
3D Image files (TSB)
HyperText Markup Language files (HTM/HTML)
OpenDocument Spreadsheet (ODS)

We can import data in the mentioned file types.

How To Import Data Into Google Sheets?

We can import data into Google sheets in different ways. Now, in this section, let us learn the most common way of importing data, from the same sheet.

Now, let us learn how to import data from another sheet in the same Google sheets with the following steps.

The steps are:

Step 1: To begin with, we need to insert the data in the spreadsheet.

Step 2: Next, click on the sheet where we want to import data. It is advised to rename the sheet if working with multiple sheets with large datasets. Next, we need to enter the sheet name followed by the cell or the cell range we want to import in the sheet.

Step 3: Press Enter key.

We will be able to import the data in the active spreadsheet in Google sheets.

Likewise, we can import data from another sheet in same Google sheets.

Examples

Now, let us learn how to import data with detailed examples.

#1 – Import Data From Another Sheet In Same Google Sheets

For example, consider the below table showing data in columns A and B in sheet 1, respectively.

Import Data Into Google Sheets - Example 1

Now, let us learn how to import data from another sheet in the same with the following steps.

The steps are:

Step 1: To begin with, we need to insert the data in the spreadsheet. In this example, the data is available in the cell range A1:B4 in sheet 1.

Import Data Into Google Sheets - Example 1 - Step 1

Now, assume that we want to import data from column A, that is cell A1.

Step 2: Next, click on sheet 2 and enter =Sheet1!A1 in cell A1.

Import Data Into Google Sheets - Example 1 - Step 2

Step 3: Press Enter key.

We will be able to see the result as shown in the below image.

Import Data Into Google Sheets - Example 1 - Step 3

Likewise, we can import data from another sheet in same Google sheets.

#2 – Import Data From Another Sheet Of A Different Google Sheets Workbook

For example, consider the below table showing name and education in columns A and B in sheet 1, respectively.

Now, let us learn how to import data from another sheet of a different Google sheets workbook with the following steps.

The steps are:

Step 1: To begin with, we need to insert the data in the spreadsheet. In this example, the data is available in the cell range A1:B4 in sheet 1, named as Data for Import.

Now, assume that we want to import this data into a new sheet.

Step 2: To import, open a new worksheet. Select the cell reference A1.

Step 3: Next, we need to enter the IMPORTRANGE Google sheets function.

Step 4: So, enter the =IMPORTRANGE(. Then, copy the url of the Data for Import sheet and paste in the formula. Next, enter the sheet and the cell range we want to import in double quotes.

So, the complete formula is =IMPORTRANGE(“https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13TKK3_iN27uX13Ti_C7xN5Lxmz-ZyCn61iDQa0v3Fto/edit?usp=sharing”,”Data!A1:B4)”)

Import Data Into Google Sheets - Example 2 - Step 4

Step 5: Press Enter key.

Step 6: We will see the #REF! error. Now, click on the Allow access option to import data.

Import Data Into Google Sheets - Example 2 - Step 6

We will be able to see the result as shown in the below image.

Import Data Into Google Sheets - Example 2 - Result

Likewise, we can import data from another sheet of a different workbook.

#3 – Import CSV To Google Sheets

For example, consider the below table showing sample, region, participants and data in columns A, B, C and D, in sheet 1, respectively.

Now, let us learn how to import CSV to Google sheets with the following steps.

First, we need to convert the data into a CSV file format.

The steps to download Google sheets into CSV file format are:

Step 1: To begin with, we need to insert the data in the spreadsheet. In this example, the data is available in the cell range A1:D4.

Step 2: Next, we need to click on the File and select the Download option.

Step 3: Here, click on the Comma Separated File (CSV) format to download the data in CSV format.

Now, let us learn how to import CSV into Google sheets.

The steps are:

1: To begin with, we need to open a new workbook.

2: Next, click on Import under the File tab in Google sheets.

3: The Import File window appears on the screen. Here, we need to click on Upload.

Step 4: Now, click on Browse and select the downloaded CSV file.

Import Data Into Google Sheets - Example 3 - CSV - Step 4

Step 5: In the Import File tab, we will be able to see two options where we can select the Create news spreadsheet and separator type.

Import Data Into Google Sheets - Example 3 - CSV - Step 5

In this example, let us select the append spreadsheet to import the data in the same sheet.

Step 6: Press the Import data option.

We will be able to see the result as shown in the below image.

Import Data Into Google Sheets - Example 3 - CSV - Step 6

Likewise, we can import CSV file into Google sheets.

#4 – Import Data To Google Sheets With IMPORTDATA

With IMPORTDATA option, we can import data range with limit.

For example, consider the below table showing sample, A, B and C in columns A, B, C and D in sheet 1, respectively.

Now, let us learn how to import data to Google sheets with IMPORTDATA.

The steps are:

Step 1: To begin with, we need to insert the data in the spreadsheet. In this example, the data is available in the cell range A1:D4.

Step 2: Next, enter the QUERY and IMPORTDATA formula with the url of the sheet.

So, the complete formula is =QUERY(IMPORTDATA(“https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13TKK3_iN27uX13Ti_C7xN5Lxmz-ZyCn61iDQa0v3Fto/edit?gid=1571066916#gid=1571066916”),Select*limit2)

Step 3: Press Enter key.

Now, we will see the below access option. Here, click on the Allow access option.

Import Data Into Google Sheets - Example 4 - Step 3

We will be able to see the result as shown in the below image.

Import Data Into Google Sheets - Example 4 - Result

Likewise, we can import data from another sheet in same Google sheets.

Important Things To Note

Import data helps users import data and files in the spreadsheet.
There are many file formats which can be imported in the Google sheets such as 3D Image Files, OpenDocument Spreadsheet etc.
The most common supported file types are:
- Comma-separated values files (CSV)
- Tab-separated values files (TSV)
- External subroutine files (XS)
- Microsoft Excel spreadsheet files (XLSX)
- XLM based and macro enabled files (XLSM)
- Text files (TXT)
- HyperText Markup Language files (HTM/HTML)

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Explain how to import data with a detailed example.

For example, consider the below table showing an empty spreadsheet.

FAQ 1
Now, we need to import the data from the same spreadsheet in Google sheets.

To begin with, we need to click on File and then, choose Import. Next, select the file we wish to import in the supported file type and then select the Import location. Then, select the right options with which we want to import the data and finally, click Import.

We will be able to see the data imported in the spreadsheet, as shown in the below image.

FAQ 1
Now, we need to import the data from the same spreadsheet in Google sheets.

To begin with, we need to click on File and then, choose Import. Next, select the file we wish to import in the supported file type and then select the Import location. Then, select the right options with which we want to import the data and finally, click Import.

We will be able to see the data imported in the spreadsheet, as shown in the below image.

Likewise, we will be able to import data in the spreadsheet in Google sheets.

2. Why import data is not working in Google sheets?

Import data may not work if the imported file is not supported if the data is not available in the mentioned sheet reference.

3. What is the syntax of IMPORTRANGE function in Google sheets?

The syntax of IMPORTRANGE in Google sheets is =IMPORTRANGE(url) where url is the only mandatory argument used to denote the website url.

We can use this function to import data from other sheets to the sheet where we are working in Google sheets.

Download Template

This article must be helpful to understand the Import Data Into Google Sheets, with its formula and examples. You can download the template here to use it instantly.

Import Data Into Google Sheets Excel Template Download

Import Data Into Google Sheets

What Is Import Data Into Google Sheets?

Key Takeaways