Random Things I Learned Today: Cross-workbook references : Functions

Functions: Cross-workbook references

Print

Google Spreadsheets lets you reference another workbook in the spreadsheet that you're currently editing by using the ImportRange function. ImportRange lets you pull one or more cell values from one spreadsheet into another.

To create your own ImportRange formulas, enter =importRange(spreadsheet-key, range). For languages where comma is used for decimal separation, use a semicolon instead of a comma to separate arguments in your formula.

Spreadsheet-key is a STRING which is the key value from the spreadsheet URL.

Range is a STRING representing the range of cells you want to import, optionally including the sheet name (defaults to first sheet). You can also use a range name if you prefer.

Given that the two arguments are STRINGs, you need to enclose them in quotes or refer to cells which have string values in them.

For example:

=importrange("abcd123abcd123", "sheet1!A1:C10")
"abcd123abcd123" is the value in the "key=" atribute on the URL of the target spreadsheet and "sheet1!A1:C10" is the range which is desired to be imported.

=importrange(A1,B1)
Cell A1 contains the string ABCD123ABCD123 and cell B1 contains sheet1!A1:C10

Note: In order to use ImportRange, you need to have been added as a viewer or collaborator to the spreadsheet from which ImportRange is pulling the data. Otherwise, you'll get this error: "#REF! error: The requested spreadsheet key, sheet title, or cell range was not found."