Scribd
Upload
70 views5 pages

Reference File On Google Sheets

This document discusses how to reference data from other files in Google Sheets. It describes using the IMPORTRANGE function to import data from other spreadsheets by providing the spreadsheet URL and cell range. It also mentions using functions like IMPORTXML, IMPORTHTML, and HYPERLINK to import data from other structured formats like XML, HTML pages, and link to web pages. Additionally, it warns that referencing too much external data can cause errors.

Uploaded by

Jay Lazaro
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
70 views5 pages

Reference File On Google Sheets

This document discusses how to reference data from other files in Google Sheets. It describes using the IMPORTRANGE function to import data from other spreadsheets by providing the spreadsheet URL and cell range. It also mentions using functions like IMPORTXML, IMPORTHTML, and HYPERLINK to import data from other structured formats like XML, HTML pages, and link to web pages. Additionally, it warns that referencing too much external data can cause errors.

Uploaded by

Jay Lazaro
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 5

How to Reference Another File on Google Sheets about:reader?url=https://www.techjunkie.com/google-sheets-referenc...

techjunkie.com

How to Reference Another File on


Google Sheets
4-5 minutes

In most cases, your spreadsheet will relate to data and other


items that are not part of that particular sheet. So instead of
copying data or typing various instructions on how to get said
information, there should be a quicker way to reference another
file or piece of data.

Google Sheets has several functions that enable you to


reference or draw data from different locations – a different
sheet on the same spreadsheet, a different spreadsheet
altogether, or even CSV files, links, and HTML pages.

This article will briefly explain the requisite functions.

1 of 5 10/8/20, 2:30 AM
How to Reference Another File on Google Sheets about:reader?url=https://www.techjunkie.com/google-sheets-referenc...

Reference Data from Other Sheets in a


Spreadsheet

If you work on a spreadsheet with multiple sheets, you can


reference data from other sheets by using a simple function.
Follow these steps:

1. Open your spreadsheet.

2. Select a cell.

3. Type the following function: = [sheet name], exclamation point, a


cell that you want to copy.
For example: =SheetA!C3, or =’Income sheet’!B1

You need to type the quotation marks around the sheet name if
that name contains spaces or other symbols besides numbers
and letters – as presented in the second example.

Import Data from Other Spreadsheets Using the


IMPORTRANGE Function

The IMPORTRANGE function is different from the


aforementioned function because it will reference a range of
cells from a particular spreadsheet.

This function includes the link to the spreadsheet from which


you’ll reference the data and the range of cells that will be

2 of 5 10/8/20, 2:30 AM
How to Reference Another File on Google Sheets about:reader?url=https://www.techjunkie.com/google-sheets-referenc...

copied to your spreadsheet.

Use the steps 1-2 from the previous section to start typing the
function.Then type: =IMPORTRANGE [spreadsheet_url], [range
string]).

For example =IMPORTRANGE(“https://docs.google.com


/spreadsheets/d/examplesheet1234”,“Sheet2!B5:C5”)

You need to place both the link to your spreadsheet as well as


the cell range in quotation marks to make sure your data will be
properly copied to your sheet. Typing the sheet name before the
string isn’t necessary if you’re referencing the first sheet on the
spreadsheet. Without the sheet name, the IMPORTRANGE
function will automatically copy all the referenced cells from the
first sheet.

Note: you’ll need permission for all the spreadsheets that you
want to reference using the IMPORTRANGE function. If you
reference the data from another spreadsheet for the first time,
the user of the sheet will need to allow permission to pull data
from it. Once the permission is granted, all editors of the second
spreadsheet will be able to reference data from that
spreadsheet.

In addition, if you try to reference too much data you may get an
error message.

Codes for Importing Other Data

3 of 5 10/8/20, 2:30 AM
How to Reference Another File on Google Sheets about:reader?url=https://www.techjunkie.com/google-sheets-referenc...

The IMPORTRANGE function is not the only way to import data.


Here are some other referencing options:

1. =IMPORTXML([link], [xpath_quary]): This will import data


from any structured data format such as XML, HTML, TSV,
CSV, ATOM XML and RSS feeds.

2. =IMPORTHTML(url, query, index) will copy a list or a table


from an HTML page.

3. =IMPORTFEED(url, [query], [headers], [num_items]) will add


a RSS or ATOM feed.

4. =IMPORTDATA(url) is the best way to import a CSV or TSV file


from a single link. You can have a maximum of 50
IMPORTDATA commands in one spreadsheet.

5. =HYPERLINK(url, [link_name]) is the way to reference any


web page on the internet. You can reference several link types
such as http://, https://, ftp://, gopher://, news://, and others. If
you use a protocol that isn’t supported by Sheets, your link label
will be displayed but there won’t be a link attached.

These five functions are the only way that you can reference
files that are outside of Google Sheets. For example, if you want
to reference a file to download, you can use a ‘HYPERLINK’
function to attach a shareable Cloud link to the file in question.
Other users can use the link to download it.

Reference Files with Ease

Thanks to these functions, you can seamlessly use external


data and files to make your spreadsheet organized and easy to
maneuver.

4 of 5 10/8/20, 2:30 AM
How to Reference Another File on Google Sheets about:reader?url=https://www.techjunkie.com/google-sheets-referenc...

However, there are circumstances in which referencing other


files can become inconvenient. For example, if you try to
reference too much data, you can cause an error or current data
loss. Make sure that you and your editors are aware of each
item they are referencing, so your Spreadsheet remains neat.

How do you reference your files? Which function do you often


use? Share your thoughts with the TechJunkie community in the
comments section below.

5 of 5 10/8/20, 2:30 AM

You might also like