Using IMPORTRANGE to Reference Another Google Sheet

Do you ever find yourself needing to transfer data from one Google Sheet to another? Well, look no further! With the IMPORTRANGE function, you can effortlessly replicate data from one sheet to another. Not only that, but any changes made in the original spreadsheet will automatically update in the imported sheet. It’s like magic!

The IMPORTRANGE Formula

The IMPORTRANGE function is easy to use. The syntax is as follows:

=IMPORTRANGE(spreadsheet_url, range_string)

Let’s break down these inputs:

• spreadsheet_url: This refers to the URL of the original spreadsheet that contains the data you want to import.
• range_string: This specifies the specific area in the original spreadsheet that you want to bring into your new sheet.

How to Use IMPORTRANGE

To use the IMPORTRANGE function, you’ll need two spreadsheets open: one with the original data and another where you want to import that data. Let’s walk through the steps:

1. Select the Top-Left Cell

In your destination sheet, click on the top-leftmost cell where you want the imported data to appear. This cell will become the starting point of your imported range.

2. Copy the Spreadsheet URL

Next, copy the URL of the original spreadsheet that contains the data you want to import. Simply go to the original spreadsheet, highlight the URL, right-click, and select ‘Copy’.

3. Identify the Range String

Now, it’s time to determine the range string. This is the specific area in the original spreadsheet that you want to bring into your new sheet. Make sure to include the sheet name, the top-leftmost cell, and the bottom-rightmost cell.

4. Add the IMPORTRANGE Formula

In the top-leftmost cell of your destination sheet, type =IMPORTRANGE(. Then, paste the URL of the original spreadsheet surrounded by double quotation marks. Finally, add a comma and include the range string also surrounded by double quotation marks.

5. Complete the Import

Press ‘Enter’ to complete the formula. Initially, you may see an error message (#REF!). Don’t worry, this is normal. Simply select ‘Allow access’ to finish importing your data.

And that’s it! Your destination sheet will now display a copy of the data from the original sheet. Isn’t that handy?

How to Reference Another Sheet within the Same Spreadsheet

If you want to import data within the same spreadsheet, you can use a simplified formula instead of IMPORTRANGE. Simply type an equal sign followed by the range for the original data. You can also reference a single cell if needed.

IMPORTRANGE Limitations and Alternatives

While IMPORTRANGE is incredibly useful, it does have a couple of limitations. First, you cannot directly manipulate the imported data. Second, the formatting from the original sheet will not automatically carry over.

To work around these limitations, you can:

• Copy the imported data onto a new tab to have direct access for manipulation.
• Manually copy and paste formatting from the original sheet to the imported sheet.

Unfortunately, column widths cannot be copied, but you can manually resize cells without impacting the IMPORTRANGE function.

Common Errors and Solutions

If you encounter any errors while using the IMPORTRANGE function, don’t panic! Here are a few common error messages and how to troubleshoot them:

• #ERROR!: This error usually indicates a syntax issue. Double-check your inputs, punctuation, and range string formatting.
• #REF!: This error may occur when you first import data and need to allow sharing permissions. It can also happen if you try to manipulate cells within the imported range. To resolve this, allow access for the data import and undo any attempted changes within the imported range.

Keep Learning

If you’re interested in further enhancing your data analysis skills using Google Sheets, consider enrolling in the Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate. You’ll gain valuable knowledge about spreadsheets and other essential analysis tools.

So go ahead, explore the wonders of IMPORTRANGE and make your data transfer tasks a breeze! Happy importing!

Mr Reviews