How to convert and download Google Sheets as CSV using API?

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1

Hey everyone,

I’m a beginner with the Google Drive API and I’m stuck on something. I want to grab a Google Sheets file and save it as a CSV using Python. But I’m hitting a wall.

Here’s what I’ve tried:

  1. Used the files.get method
  2. Got a file object back
  3. No downloadUrl in the response
  4. No text/csv in the exportLinks

I know I can do this manually in Google Sheets (File > Download > CSV). But how do I do it with code?

Is there a special trick I’m missing? Do I need a different API? Any help would be awesome!

Thanks in advance,
NewbieCoder

2

I’ve been down this road before, and it can be tricky. Here’s what worked for me:

Use the Google Sheets API to fetch the data first. Then, you can manipulate it however you need before saving as CSV. This gives you more flexibility.

For the actual conversion, I found the pandas library super helpful. You can load the data into a DataFrame and then use the to_csv() method. It’s clean and efficient.

One gotcha to watch out for: if your sheet has multiple tabs, make sure you’re grabbing the right one. I wasted hours once because I was pulling the wrong tab!

Also, don’t forget to handle authentication properly. Google’s OAuth can be a pain, but it’s crucial for security.

Hope this helps! Let me know if you run into any other snags.

3

I’ve encountered a similar issue before. The solution lies in using the Google Sheets API alongside the Drive API. First, authenticate with both APIs. Then, use the Sheets API to fetch the spreadsheet data. Finally, use the Drive API’s ‘files.export’ method, specifying ‘text/csv’ as the mimeType. This approach gives you more control over the export process and allows for customization if needed. Remember to handle potential rate limits and large file sizes appropriately. If you’re working with sensitive data, ensure you’re following proper security practices throughout the process.

4

hey NewbieCoder, try using the ‘files.export’ method instead. it lets u specify the mimeType as ‘text/csv’ when exporting. u’ll get a byte stream u can save as a CSV file. just remember to set the proper scopes in ur API credentials. good luck!