Getting Data from Files and Forms

We need data in our spreadsheet before we can uncover insights or spot patterns. Google Sheets makes it easy to bring data from the outside world into a format we can analyze. Whether working with a downloaded file or collecting fresh responses through a form, getting data into the sheet is the first step in turning raw information into meaningful insights.

There are two simple and powerful ways to do this: importing files and integrating with Google Forms. Explore how each method helps us gather data efficiently and prepare for analysis.

Importing data from files

Importing files is a foundational step, whether pulling last quarter’s sales data from Excel, downloading CSVs from a public data portal, or working with historical logs exported from internal tools.

Google Sheets makes this easy by supporting a range of common file types. It allows us to work seamlessly with data from different sources, even when the original files weren’t created in Sheets.

What kind of files can we import?

As mentioned below, Google Sheets supports file formats we often encounter in real-world data work.

• CSV (comma-separated values): This is the universal data exchange format, plain text with values separated by commas. It’s lightweight and perfect for importing data exported from databases, APIs, or survey tools.

• TSV (tab-separated values): This is similar to CSV, but uses tabs as separators. This is handy when our data contains commas, preventing import confusion and ensuring neat column organization.

• Microsoft Excel files (.xlsx, .xls): Excel is still common in business. Google Sheets can effortlessly import and convert these files, preserving formatting and multiple sheets, ...