Formulas > =IMPORTRANGE()

How To Use IMPORTRANGE() Function in Google Sheets

Description

Imports a range of cells from a specified spreadsheet.

Common questions about the IMPORTRANGE formula:
1. What is the IMPORTRANGE formula? Used to get a range of cells from one sheet to another sheet.
2. How do I use the IMPORTRANGE formula? The sheet in question could be a tab in the same spreadsheet file or a sheet in another spreadsheet file. IMPORTRANGE is quite versatile in that regard.
3. What are the limitations of the IMPORTRANGE formula? If your data is in an EXCEL spreadsheet, then IMPORTRANGE will not work. Also you cannot import formatting from one sheet to another sheet using IMPORTRANGE.

How can the IMPORTRANGE formula be used appropriately?
The IMPORTRANGE formula can be used to import data from one Google Sheet to another. It can be used to quickly and easily copy data from one sheet to another, allowing for easy collaboration between multiple users.

How can the IMPORTRANGE formula be commonly mistyped?
The IMPORTRANGE formula is commonly mistyped as “IMPORT RANGE” or “IMPORT RANGES”. Do not include a space in the formula. Also IMPORTRANGE might be mistyped as IMPORT,or IMPRTRANGE, or IMPRTRNGE, or IMPORTRANG.

What are some common ways the IMPORTRANGE formula is used inappropriately?
The IMPORTRANGE formula should not be used to copy large amounts of data from one sheet to another. It should also not be used to copy data from a sheet that is not owned by the user. Of course maybe that's unethical but not really improper use of IMPORTRANGE. IMPORTRANGE used to gather information is fine. What is really can't be used for is images and formatting.

What are some common pitfalls when using the IMPORTRANGE formula?
The IMPORTRANGE formula can be slow to update when the source sheet is updated. It can also be difficult to troubleshoot if the formula is not entered correctly. As the original data may need validation and tracking where an IMPORTRANGE is coming from is  a case of "what's this url go to?" You'll be searching through old sheets for the right data you need, and fix it.

What are common mistakes when using the IMPORTRANGE Formula?
Common mistakes when using the IMPORTRANGE formula include entering the wrong range of cells, entering the wrong sheet name, and forgetting to grant access to the source sheet. If you forget to grant access you'll always get a REF error, also called a Reference error.

How To Actually Use IMPORTRANGE() in Sheets

IMPORTRANGE(spreadsheet_url, range_string)

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