Accessing data from Google Sheets using PHP

Other Questions Google docs
1

Hey everyone, I’m trying to figure out how to get info from a Google Sheets document using PHP. I’m used to working with SQL, where I can easily grab specific rows. For example, I’d use something like this:

$query = "SELECT * FROM myTable WHERE column = 'someValue' LIMIT 1";

But I’m not sure how to do this with Google Sheets. I’ve heard something about a ‘Zend’ framework, but I’m lost on that too. Does anyone know if there’s a simple way to pull data from Google Sheets into PHP? Maybe there’s a built-in function or a library that makes this easier? I’d really appreciate any tips or examples you can share. Thanks!

2

I’ve actually been down this road before, and while it’s not as straightforward as SQL, it’s definitely doable. What worked for me was using the Google Sheets API with PHP. You’ll need to set up a project in Google Cloud Console, enable the Sheets API, and get your credentials sorted.

Once that’s done, you can use the Google API Client Library for PHP. It’s pretty powerful once you get the hang of it. You’ll be working with ranges instead of SQL queries, which takes some getting used to. Something like:

$range = 'Sheet1!A1:D5';
$response = $service->spreadsheets_values->get($spreadsheetId, $range);
$values = $response->getValues();

Then you can loop through $values to find what you need. It’s a bit more code than a simple SQL query, but it gives you a lot of flexibility. Just remember to handle your API quota carefully if you’re making frequent requests.

3

hey, i’ve used google sheets api before. it’s not too bad once u get the hang of it. u gotta set up credentials in google cloud, then use their php library. instead of sql queries, u work with ranges like ‘Sheet1!A1:D5’. it’s different but doable. just rember to handle api quotas carefully!

4

I’ve worked with the Google Sheets API in PHP and found that while it is not as direct as executing a SQL query, it is still quite manageable. You begin by setting up the proper API credentials on Google Cloud and then integrating the Google Client Library for PHP. Once your application is authenticated, you can use the Sheets service to read data. You have to adapt to using A1 or R1C1 notation instead of SQL queries, so often you will retrieve a broader dataset and manually filter the results in PHP. With some initial effort, this method provides a reliable way to work with spreadsheet data.