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IMPORTDATA

The IMPORTDATA function imports data from a URL in CSV or TSV format into a Google Sheet. The data is automatically refreshed by Google Sheets every hour, or you can manually refresh it by clicking on the cell and selecting 'Data' > 'Refresh data'.

Usage

Use the IMPORTDATA formula with the syntax shown below, it has 1 required parameter:

=IMPORTDATA(url)
Parameters:
  1. url (required):
    The URL of the CSV or TSV file to import. The URL must be enclosed in double quotes.

Examples

Here are a few example use cases that explain how to use the IMPORTDATA formula in Google Sheets.

Importing stock prices

You can use IMPORTDATA to import stock prices from a financial website, then use other Google Sheets functions to analyze the data and make investment decisions.

Importing weather data

You can use IMPORTDATA to import weather data from a website, then use other Google Sheets functions to create charts and graphs that show temperature, precipitation, and other weather patterns over time.

Importing customer data

You can use IMPORTDATA to import customer data from a CRM or other database, then use other Google Sheets functions to analyze the data and gain insights into customer behavior and preferences.

Common Mistakes

IMPORTDATA not working? Here are some common mistakes people make when using the IMPORTDATA Google Sheets Formula:

Missing quotes around URL

One common mistake is to forget to enclose the URL in double quotes. This will result in an error and the formula will not work. Make sure to always enclose the URL in double quotes.

Providing invalid URL

Another common mistake is to provide an invalid URL. Make sure the URL is correct and points to a valid CSV or TSV file.

Related Formulas

The following functions are similar to IMPORTDATA or are often used with it in a formula:

  • IMPORTHTML

    The IMPORTHTML function is used to import data from a table or list within an HTML page. This function is commonly used to pull data from websites and display it in a Google Sheet.

  • IMPORTXML

    The IMPORTXML formula allows you to import data from an XML or HTML document on the web. This can be useful for scraping data from websites or for importing data from APIs that return XML data. The formula takes a URL and an XPath query as inputs and returns the data that matches the query.

  • QUERY

    The QUERY function in Google Sheets is used to query data from a specified dataset. The function allows users to filter and sort data based on specific criteria. The function is commonly used in data analysis and reporting, as well as in creating dynamic dashboards.

  • GOOGLEFINANCE

    The GOOGLEFINANCE formula is used to retrieve market data from Google Finance. This formula can be used to retrieve stock quotes, currency exchange rates, futures, and mutual funds. It is most commonly used to retrieve stock quotes. The formula requires a ticker symbol as input and can also take additional optional parameters such as the attribute to retrieve, the start and end dates, and the interval of time between data points.

Learn More

You can learn more about the IMPORTDATA Google Sheets function on Google Support.