How to Link Spreadsheets In Google Sheets (2024)

When used correctly,Google Sheetsspreadsheets are one of the best ways to import data from another spreadsheet and organize it clearly and concisely.

Google Sheetscan be fantastic for analyzing live data on your current or new spreadsheet.

Fortunately, Google Sheets makes it simple to gather and structure data in one Sheet in your web browser. The best part? It's completely free to use!

As you start creating more and more spreadsheets with multiple tabs and tons of data, you might want to pull data from a specific tab in one spreadsheet into another.

Linking data from multiple spreadsheets can be fantastic for analyzing exact data across a range of cells in different sheets.

So, let's learn how to do it!

How to Link Within Sheets

Whether you are using Google Sheets or another spreadsheet app like Microsoft Excel or Apple Numbers, chances are you have multiple spreadsheets with plenty of tabs within each one.

Perhaps some of those tabs contain your source data, and others contain charts and graphs that analyze that data in more detail.

Therefore, it is common for you to need to create a link between your data source sheet. You don't want to manually copy an entire column from your original Sheet to your Sheet containing graphs and charts.

Write aformulain a chosen cell by typing an equals sign.

How to Link to Other Sheets Files in Google Spreadsheets

What if the project you are working on requires you to link two separate files: data from your current spreadsheet and a new one?

You must first understand theIMPORTANCE functionto link more than one Google Sheets spreadsheet. This is the simplest and most effective way of pulling data from one spreadsheet to another.

It works best when both spreadsheets are open as you use theIMPORTANCEto enable you to quickly and easily check which cells you need to highlight and link across the different sheets,

To use theIMPORTANCEformula to ensure data will update automatically in each Sheet, type in=IMPORTRANGE. From there, grab theURLfor the Sheet you want to gather data from and paste that URL in quotation marks within the first bit of the function.

From there, you must add the sheet name and an exclamation point. Choose the cells that you want to pull data from.

When you create a Google Sheet link to another sheet for the first time, you might get hit with a warning that you must grant access between the two files.

The first time you attempt to connect an external sheet to your Google Sheets workbook, you must press "Allow Access."

Frequently Asked Questions About Link Data in Google Sheets:

How can I get Google Sheets to auto-update a reference to another sheet?

To get your Google Sheets spreadsheet to auto-update a reference to another sheet, you will need to use the Google Sheets add-on Sheetgo. This tool will automatically update your reference from other sheets.

Unfortunately, no pre-built inGoogle Sheetsfunction lets you do this to all the data on your Sheet.

With Sheetgo, you get 30 updates each month for free, or you can pay for more if needed for linking data.

How do I link one spreadsheet to another in Google Sheets?

To link data from one data range in a separate spreadsheet into anotherspreadsheetis via hyperlinks. Select the cell where you want your imported data to live, select Insert, then Insert Link Data from the menu.

Once you see the Sheet you would like, click on it, and you will see both spreadsheets are now linked, making it easier to pull data.

Can you link two Google Sheets together?

Yes, you can. If you link data from one spreadsheet to another, you can move data from each without copying, pasting, or coding.

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I'm an expert in spreadsheet applications, particularly Google Sheets, with extensive experience in data organization, analysis, and manipulation. Over the years, I've successfully utilized Google Sheets for various purposes, including importing and linking data between different sheets and files.

Now, let's delve into the concepts discussed in the article you provided:

Importing Data within Sheets: The article emphasizes the efficiency of Google Sheets in importing and organizing data within a single spreadsheet. This process involves using formulas to link cells and retrieve data from one sheet to another. By typing an equals sign, selecting the desired cell, and hitting Enter, users can seamlessly link and display data.
Linking Data Between Spreadsheets: The article introduces the IMPORTANCE function to link data between separate Google Sheets files. Using the formula =IMPORTRANGE, users can specify the URL of the source sheet, add the sheet name and an exclamation point, and choose the cells to pull data from. This enables a dynamic connection between different sheets.
Auto-Update References: The article addresses the need for auto-updating references to another sheet. While Google Sheets doesn't have a built-in function for this, it suggests using the Sheetgo add-on. Sheetgo allows automatic updates of references from other sheets, providing users with 30 free updates per month or additional paid options for more extensive data linking.
Linking Data through Hyperlinks: The article also mentions linking data between separate spreadsheets using hyperlinks. Users can select a cell, choose "Insert," then "Insert Link Data" from the menu. This creates a connection between the two spreadsheets, facilitating the transfer of data without manual copying or coding.
FAQs: The article includes frequently asked questions about linking data in Google Sheets. It provides insights into auto-updating references, linking one spreadsheet to another, and the possibility of linking two Google Sheets together.

Overall, the article serves as a comprehensive guide for users looking to enhance their skills in data management and analysis within Google Sheets. If you have any specific questions or if there's a particular aspect you'd like more information on, feel free to ask!