How to Overwrite Data in a Google Sheets Document Using Python?

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1

Hey everyone! I’m trying to update a spreadsheet in Google Sheets using Python. I’ve got a script that can upload a CSV file, but I’m stuck on replacing the existing data.

Here’s what I’m working with:

import gspread
from oauth2client.service_account import ServiceAccountCredentials

scope = ['https://spreadsheets.google.com/feeds', 'https://www.googleapis.com/auth/drive']
creds = ServiceAccountCredentials.from_json_keyfile_name('my_secret_key.json', scope)
client = gspread.authorize(creds)

sheet = client.open('My Spreadsheet').sheet1
csv_data = open('new_data.csv', 'r').read().split('\n')
sheet.clear()
for row in csv_data:
    sheet.append_row(row.split(','))

When I run this, I get an error about permissions. It says something like ‘Not authorized to perform this action’. I’ve double-checked my credentials and they seem fine.

Has anyone run into this before? What am I missing? Thanks for any help you can give!

2

I encountered a similar issue when working with Google Sheets API. One crucial step that’s often overlooked is sharing the spreadsheet with the service account email address. This email can be found in your JSON key file. Without this, even with the correct credentials, you’ll face permission errors.

Additionally, ensure you’re using the latest version of gspread library. Older versions sometimes have compatibility issues with newer Google API updates. If you’re still facing problems after these steps, try creating a new service account and regenerating the JSON key. This can sometimes resolve persistent authentication issues.

Lastly, double-check that your spreadsheet ID in the client.open() method matches exactly with the ID in your Google Sheets URL. Even a small typo here can cause unexpected errors.

3

I’ve dealt with this exact problem before, and it can be super frustrating. One thing that often gets overlooked is the rate limits on the Google Sheets API. If you’re making too many requests in a short time, you might hit these limits and get permission errors.

To work around this, try implementing a backoff strategy in your code. Add a small delay between API calls, and increase it if you get errors. Something like time.sleep(1) between operations can make a big difference.

Also, make sure you’re using batch updates instead of individual cell updates when possible. This can significantly reduce the number of API calls you’re making.

Lastly, if you’re still having trouble, consider using the Google Sheets API v4 directly instead of gspread. It gives you more fine-grained control over your requests and can help pinpoint where exactly the permission issue is occurring.

4

hey there! i ran into this before.
make sure ur json key has the right permissions - it needs edit access to the sheet.
double-check the scope; sometimes adding ‘https://www.googleapis.com/auth/spreadsheets’ helps.
hope this helps u out!