Google Sheets IMPORTRANGE Another File
By Szabó Gergő · Updated
IMPORTRANGE copies a range from another file after you click Allow access. The URL and sheet name must be exact.
Syntax and arguments
=IMPORTRANGE("spreadsheet_url","Sheet1!A1:D200")- spreadsheet_url
- The full URL or the spreadsheet ID.
- range_string
- Tab and range in quotes, such as Data!A1:D200.
IMPORTRANGE examples
Need the whole block.
=IMPORTRANGE("https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/abc123","Data!A1:D200")Click Allow access the first time in the destination file.
Only Paid rows.
=QUERY(IMPORTRANGE("abc123","Data!A1:D200"),"select Col1, Col4 where Col2 = 'Paid'",1)Imported columns are Col1, Col2, ... inside QUERY.
Shorter formula.
=IMPORTRANGE("abc123","Data!A1:D200")The ID is the long token between /d/ and /edit.
Common mistakes
Forgetting the sheet name
Include Data! or the first tab is used and the range can be wrong.
Editing imported cells
IMPORTRANGE is live. Edit the source file, not the destination spill.
Many IMPORTRANGE calls
Import once onto a staging tab, then QUERY that tab.
IMPORTRANGE FAQ
Why #REF! permission?
Open the destination cell and click Allow access while signed into an account that can read the source.
Does this work in Excel?
No. Excel uses Power Query or linked workbooks instead.
Can I import another tab in the same file?
Use a normal sheet reference. IMPORTRANGE is for other files.