How to automate CSV file imports into Google Sheets using Apps Script

[opalEcho]

I’m trying to create an automated process for importing CSV data into my Google Sheets using Apps Script. Right now I have to manually download CSV files from my SquareSpace site one by one, then use the File > Import menu to bring each file into my spreadsheet.

The workflow I want to automate is:

1. Take manually downloaded CSV files
2. Import them automatically into a target Google Sheet
3. Process new data as more CSV files get downloaded

Since the files come from SquareSpace, I can’t set up automatic downloads, so the manual download part will stay. But I want to automate everything after that.

I’ve searched through Google’s documentation and various forums but haven’t found a clear solution for this specific scenario. Does anyone know how to write Apps Script code that can handle importing local CSV files into a Google Sheet? Any help would be great.

[amelial]

for sure! just get your local folder synced with google drive using that backup & sync. then your apps script will pull the files from drive instead of uploading them one by one. it’s a hassle, but once it’s automated, you’ll be glad you did it!

[benmoore]

Drop your CSV files in a specific Google Drive folder, then use Apps Script to watch and process them automatically. Set up a script that grabs your folder with DriveApp.getFolderById(), loops through CSV files using getFilesByType(‘text/csv’), and converts the content with Utilities.parseCsv(). Then just dump the data into your sheet with getRange().setValues(). Pro tip: add a timestamp column and move processed files to a ‘completed’ folder so you don’t import duplicates. Set up a time-driven trigger to run this periodically and it’ll check for new files on its own.

[Pete_Magic]

Had this exact problem with client data exports a few months back. Apps Script can’t directly access your local file system for security reasons - that’s your main roadblock. What worked for me: build a simple web app interface right in Apps Script. Create a basic HTML form that uploads CSV files directly to the script and processes them immediately. Use HtmlService.createHtmlOutputFromFile() for the upload form, handle the file in your doPost() function with FileUpload class, parse with Utilities.parseCsv(), then append to your target sheet. Way cleaner than managing Drive folders and you get real-time processing. Upload happens through the browser so no file system headaches. Takes about 50 lines of code and runs smoothly.

[lily_luminesce]

Apps Script works but gets messy at scale. I’ve handled similar CSV workflows and found something cleaner.

Skip the custom scripts and Drive folder management - use Latenode for the whole pipeline. Set up a scenario that watches folders, processes CSVs automatically, and pushes data straight to Sheets with their native connector.

No coding CSV parsing or file management. Latenode handles it - detects files, parses data, updates sheets without manual work.

Switched our team’s imports to this and saved hours weekly. No more Apps Script debugging or quota headaches.

Takes minutes to set up: https://latenode.com

[Stella_Dreamer]

The Problem: You’re trying to automate the import of CSV data from a Google Drive folder into Google Sheets, and you’re looking for a simpler solution than writing custom Apps Script. You want to avoid coding CSV parsing or file management.

TL;DR: The Quick Fix: Use the IMPORTRANGE() function. This avoids custom scripting entirely.

Understanding the “Why” (The Root Cause):

Manually importing CSV files one by one is inefficient. Custom Apps Script solutions, while powerful, require coding skills and can be complex to maintain. Managing file uploads, parsing CSV data, and error handling within Apps Script adds unnecessary overhead. IMPORTRANGE() provides a direct, built-in solution for importing data from other Google Sheets, eliminating the need for manual imports or complex scripts. If your CSV files are already in a Google Sheet, this function is significantly more efficient than any custom Apps Script approach.

Step-by-Step Guide:

Step 1: Upload CSVs to Google Drive and Create a Google Sheet:

1. Upload your CSV files to a designated folder in your Google Drive.
2. Create a new Google Sheet. This sheet will serve as the source for the IMPORTRANGE() function.

Step 2: Import CSV Data into the New Google Sheet:

1. In the new Google Sheet, open the first cell (A1).
2. Use the “Import” function under the “Data” menu.
3. Select the corresponding CSV file from your Google Drive folder and import it into your Google Sheet. Repeat for all CSV files. This sheet will serve as an intermediary for the import. This step is a one-time operation.

Step 3: Use IMPORTRANGE() in Your Target Sheet:

1. Navigate to the Google Sheet where you want to import the data.
2. In the cell where you want the data to appear, use the IMPORTRANGE() function. The syntax is as follows: =IMPORTRANGE("spreadsheet_key","sheet_name!range")
   • Replace "spreadsheet_key" with the unique key of the Google Sheet you created in Step 1 (Find this in the URL of the sheet).
   • Replace "sheet_name" with the name of the sheet containing the imported CSV data (likely “Sheet1”).
   • Replace "range" with the range of cells containing the data you want to import (e.g., A1:Z100). Example: =IMPORTRANGE("1234567890abcdef1234567890abcdef","Sheet1!A1:Z100")
3. If prompted, authorize access to the source sheet.

Common Pitfalls & What to Check Next:

• Spreadsheet Key: Double-check that you’ve correctly copied the spreadsheet key from the source Google Sheet’s URL. A single incorrect character will cause the IMPORTRANGE() function to fail.
• Sheet Name: Ensure the sheet name in your formula exactly matches the name of the sheet in the source spreadsheet (case-sensitive).
• Range: Carefully define the range of cells to import from your source sheet.
• Data Refresh: IMPORTRANGE() typically refreshes automatically, but you can also manually refresh data by pressing Ctrl+Alt+Shift+R (or Cmd+Option+Shift+R on a Mac). Consider setting up an automated refresh if needed, though this might impact performance if the sheet is very large.
• Error Handling: If you encounter errors, check the Google Sheet’s error messages, which often provide more specific information about the problem.

Still running into issues? Share your (sanitized) config files, the exact command you ran, and any other relevant details. The community is here to help!