How to Use IMPORTRANGE Functions in Google Sheets?
Updated on Jun 05, 2023 | 6 min read | 899.1k views
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Updated on Jun 05, 2023 | 6 min read | 899.1k views
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Google Sheets is one of the most commonly used online spreadsheet programs owing to its easy accessibility and user-friendliness. In Google Sheets, you might often need to transfer and import data from one spreadsheet to another. This is where the IMPORTRANGE function comes in.
The IMPORTRANGE function is a vital and commonly used function in Google Sheets that help integrate data between spreadsheets without using third-party add-ons. For experienced users, this formula is convenient. However, one must take extra care to eliminate all mistakes. If executed in a rush, it can be quite confusing or faulty.
Copy-pasting the cells in question should do the trick, but in doing so any live connection between the two sheets will be severed. Also, changing the original data will render the second spreadsheet outdated. The IMPORTRANGE function can be used to overcome these challenges altogether. This function lets you import data quickly from one spreadsheet into another, keeping spreadsheets well-synced.
The IMPORTRANGE function primarily focuses on importing values from one spreadsheet cell into another. It is mandatory to have access to the other spreadsheet and its URL.
Since Google Sheets has a cloud-based infrastructure, IMPORTRANGE is not complex to use. This is because all files have separate URLs with a unique identity and these individual files can be referenced using the “key” or their URL modifier. After this, specificity is added within the target file by using the reference of a page and a range.
For one-time and occasional requirements to import data from one sheet to another, this is a very useful function, but not useful for performing in multiple spreadsheets for multiple data imports.
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The IMPORTRANGE function might seem intimidating to beginners, but it is not. All you need is the spreadsheet URL and the syntax below:-
=IMPORTRANGE([spreadsheet_url], [range_string])
As per the above syntax, the IMPORTRANGE function has two parts.
“[sheet_name!]range”
For example, if data from the cells C7:B8 from a sheet named Hello is to be imported, the format should be “Hello!B7:C8”. This function initiates the data import and data display on the sheet. The data transfer occurs within seconds when a small range of data is transferred but might a little longer to import a large dataset.
If the sheet name is not specified, the formula will import data from the first sheet by default. You can put this text in a cell and use it for the exact cell reference in the second argument.
IMPORTRANGE is fairly easy to use if you are an experienced professional. As a beginner, it can be a bit confusing. So, here is a step by step guide on how to use IMPORTRANGE function in Google Sheets:-
“Sheet2!B7:C8”
Here, the spreadsheet named “Sheet1” is being specified, and the cells B7 through C8 are the desired cells from which data needs to be imported.
=IMPORTRANGE([spreadsheet_url], “Sheet2!B7:C8”)
If the function fails, there’s a #REF! error in the cell. To solve this, click on this cell, and a message will pop up with the instruction that the sheets need to be connected. Hit “Allow access” for the data to appear. This function must be executed only once for each spreadsheet from where data is imported.
A named range can also be used instead of specifying the range manually if preferred. To carry out this process, follow the below steps:-
Needless to say, IMPORTRANGE is quite a handy function, especially for students as well as professionals working on Google Sheets. It can greatly help learners better grasp data-related knowledge that is instrumental for data science and related roles.
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