How to use IMPORTRANGE function in Google Sheet.
The IMPORTRANGE Google Sheets function is the only way to integrate data between spreadsheets without third-party add-ons in Google Sheets. For experienced spreadsheet users, it’s an easy formula, but it needs a lot of attention. For the inexperienced, it can get confusing in a hurry.
Below we’ve described its application, implementation, and the pros and cons. Is it a valuable formula for your situation? It’s hard to know, but after reading you’ll have a better idea of whether or not IMPORTRANGE fits your needs.
Application
The objective of IMPORTRANGE is to import values from cells in one spreadsheet into another. You must have access to the other spreadsheet and know its URL.
As a result of Google Sheets’ cloud based infrastructure, IMPORTRANGE’s has a very simple functionality. Because every file has a unique URL, you can reference individual files by including the file’s “key” (its URL modifier). You then add specificity by referencing a page and a range within the target file.
IMPORTRANGE is a great solution for one-time and sporadic data imports from one sheet to another. On the other hand, it’s not recommended if you need to perform multiple imports in multiple spreadsheets.
Syntax
=IMPORTRANGE(spreadsheet_url, range_string)
How to use IMPORTRANGE in Spreadsheet/Google Sheets.
To import a range of data from a spreadsheet, you need this things: 1.Spradsheet /Google sheet URL
2.Worksheet name
3.Range (Which u want import from sheet )
4.import range function
- Spreadsheet /Google sheet URL
First copy the complete URL of the spreadsheet/Google Sheet that has the data you’d like to import. If you’d like the formula to be visually shorter however, you can copy the spreadsheet key only. This is the unique identifier that Google Sheets uses for each spreadsheet.
On top of that, the spreadsheet reference must be in quotes in your formula, or you can reference a cell containing the desired spreadsheet’s URL.
2.Worksheet name
Give the proper name of your worksheet
3.Range (Which you want import from sheet )
Type the cell range that you intend to import from your external spreadsheet. Optionally you can include the sheet you wish to import from. If left out, IMPORTRANGE always defaults to the first sheet of the spreadsheet.
Your range must be written as a string — meaning it must be contained within quotation marks — or it must reference a cell containing the desired range written as a string.
The selected range above exactly represents “Students information!A:G”. In this case, the format for the entire function should be:
After typing out the entire function, simply press ‘Enter’.
The first time you execute the function you will be asked to link your two sheets. Click “Allow access” to do so.
As a result, the function initiates the import of data and displays it in your sheet.
The data transfer occurs nearly instantly if you are importing a small range of data, but might take a few extra seconds if you are importing a larger dataset.
Conclusion
The IMPORTRANGE Google Sheets function is a quick solution to import small volumes of data. It’s great to bring information from one spreadsheet to another for spot analysis.
However, it might not be the right choice if connecting spreadsheets is a routine in your work. When you depend on these connections for analysis, reports, and decision making, we strongly recommend using an application designed for data transfer, like Sheet go.