How to reference data from one Google Sheets document in another?

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1

Hey everyone,

I’m working on a project where I need to pull information from one Google Sheets file into another. Let’s say I’ve got two spreadsheets: ‘Budget’ and ‘Summary’.

I want to grab some numbers from ‘Budget’ and have them show up in ‘Summary’ automatically. Is there a way to do this? Like, can I use a formula that points to a specific cell in the other sheet?

I’m okay with tweaking sharing settings if that’s needed. Any tips on how to make this work would be super helpful!

Thanks in advance for your advice!

2

Referencing data from one Google Sheets document to another can be achieved using the IMPORTRANGE function. To do this, first copy the URL of the source document from which you want the data. Then, in your target sheet, start by typing =IMPORTRANGE(, placing the URL in quotes followed by a comma and then the range string you need (for example, ‘Sheet1!A1:B10’). Once you complete the formula and press Enter, you will be prompted to authorize the connection between the two sheets. Adjust any necessary sharing settings to ensure the data syncs properly. This approach has worked reliably in my experience, providing seamless updates between files.

3

hey there! i’ve done this before. u can use the IMPORTRANGE function. it’s pretty easy. just grab the url of ur ‘Budget’ sheet, then in ‘Summary’ type =IMPORTRANGE(“paste_url_here”, “Sheet1!A1:B10”) or whatever range u need. don’t forget to give permission when it asks. works like a charm!

4

I’ve faced similar challenges with cross-sheet referencing, and I’ve found that using Google Apps Script can be a game-changer. It’s a bit more advanced, but incredibly powerful. You can write a custom function that pulls data from your ‘Budget’ sheet into ‘Summary’. The script can be set to run automatically on a schedule, ensuring your ‘Summary’ always has up-to-date information.

To get started, go to Tools > Script editor in your ‘Summary’ sheet. Write a function that uses the SpreadsheetApp class to open both documents and transfer the data. You’ll need to use the file IDs from the URLs of both sheets. This method gives you more control over what data is transferred and how it’s formatted in the destination sheet.

It took me some trial and error to get it right, but once set up, it’s been incredibly reliable for my project management needs.