In this tutorial, you will learn how to import data from another sheet in Google Sheets.

How To Import Data From Another Sheet in Google Sheets

When working with data, you may want to use a function that allows you to import data from outside your current sheet. The data should be imported as a table, and you can refresh the data anytime it changes in the original sheets.

If you want to pull data from another sheet into your current sheet, you can do so using the IMPORTRANGE function.

If your data comes from another sheet in the same spreadsheet, you may opt to use an array formula instead to create a reference to a range.

In this guide, we will show you how to use the IMPORTRANGE function for importing values outside the current spreadsheet. We will also show you how to use an array formula to return an entire cell range found in another sheet in your current spreadsheet.

How To Copy Data from Another Spreadsheet in Google Sheets

Here’s how to copy data from another spreadsheet in Google Sheets.

Step 1

First, open the spreadsheet where you want to import data to.

In this example, we will add our data to a tab labeled Imported Data.

Step 2

If the data you want to import is located in another spreadsheet, we’ll need to use the IMPORTRANGE function.

The IMPORTRANGE function allows the user to pull data from another spreadsheet given the spreadsheet’s URL and a valid cell range.

Step 3

Since we’ll need the URL of the spreadsheet we want to import from, open that spreadsheet and click on the Share button.

Step 4

Select the Copy link option to add the URL to your device’s clipboard.

Step 5

Next, paste the URL as the first argument of the IMPORTRANGE function.

Enclose the URL in double quotation marks to convert it to a valid string.

Step 6

Next, add the cell range of the data you want to import into the current sheet.

Similar to the previous argument, we will also enclose this argument with double quotation marks. Do note that you are required to specify the sheet name of the desired range.

Step 7

Hit the Enter key to evaluate the function. The IMPORTRANGE function will automatically pull new data if the source data is modified.

According to Google, the IMPORTRANGE function updates every hour while the document is open.

Step 8

If you receive a #REF! error, you may have data that the IMPORTRANGE function may overwrite. Remove any such data to solve this error.

If your data comes from another sheet in the same Google Sheets spreadsheet, we can use cell references instead.

Select a blank cell in the location you want to import your data.

Step 9

Add the formula “={ }” to your current cell. The curly braces will indicate that we want to output an array.

Step 10

Inside the curly braces, write down the sheet tab name and cell range of the data you want to import.

Similar to the IMPORTRANGE function, these formulas are dynamic and will automatically update when the source data is modified.

Summary

This guide should be everything you need to import data from another sheet in Google Sheets.

You may make a copy of this example spreadsheet to test it out on your own.