How to Automatically Convert Excel File to Google Sheets

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If you are looking for a way to automatically convert your Excel file to Google Sheets then you have come to the right place. The objective of this article is to explain how to automatically convert Excel files to Google Sheets.

Excel and Google Sheets are both popular for different business visualization and data management applications in the practical world. But there are times when we need to convert our Excel files into Google Sheets, especially when we are working with a group of people.

1-automatically convert excel to google sheets

The above overview image shows an Excel file on the left side that we want to convert. On the right side, it shows the result after conversion. Let’s go through the article below to automatically convert Excel files to Google Sheets.


When to Use Excel or Google Sheets?

Here are some suggestions to help you pick between Excel and Google Sheets if you use both.

  • Convert Excel file to Google Sheets if need to work or edit data with a group of people and have less than 5 million cells.
  • Use Excel if you have more than 5 million cells in your dataset, need add-ins and need to use rare charts like 3D pyramids or pie of pie charts.

What Types of Excel Files Do Google Sheets Support?

Excel can save its files in different formats. But Google Sheets can’t convert all types of Excel files. The following list contains the format that Google Sheets can convert into Google Spreadsheets:

  • .xlsx
  • .xls
  • .xlsm
  • .csv
  • .ods
  • .tab
  • .tsv
  • .xlt
Note: Excel has used .xlsx format as its default since 2007. But before that, .xls was the default format.

Automatically Convert Excel File to Google Sheets: Step-by-Step Procedure

Do you need to convert Excel files to Google Sheets frequently? Then, this stepwise procedure will certainly help you convert them automatically.

Here, I have taken the following Excel file that contains two worksheets to explain this article. Now, I will show you how you can automatically convert this Excel file to Google Sheets with easy steps.

2-Excel file to convert


STEP 1: Change Settings in Google Drive to Convert Uploads to Google Docs Editor Format

  • First, you need to go to your Google Drive. You can use the following link:
  • After that, click on the Settings icon.
  • Select Settings from the drop-down menu.

3-Select settings in Google Drive

  • Next, check Convert uploads to Google Drive editor format.

4-Convert uploads to Google Docs editor format


STEP 2: Upload Excel File to Google Drive

  • Now, go back to your Google Drive and select New.
  • A drop-down menu will appear.

5-Add New Item to Google Drive

  • Select File Upload from the menu.

6-select File Upload from drop-down menu

  • Now, select the Excel file you want to convert and click on Open.

7-Open the Excel file that you need to convert into Google Sheets

  • As a result, you will see that the file is converted to Google Sheets.
  • You can double-click on the Google Spreadsheet to open and edit it.

8-Converted Excel file in Google Drive

  • After opening the Excel file in Google Sheets, you will see changes like the picture below.

9-Result after converting Excel file into Google Sheets


Convert Excel File to Google Sheets: Alternative Ways

There are two other ways to convert an Excel file to Google Sheets. These two methods will not automatically convert Excel file to Google Sheets. You need to follow some specific steps for both cases.

1. Convert Excel File to Google Sheets Using Google Drive and Google Sheets

Suppose, you have one or two Excel files to convert. Then, you can use this method easily. But this method will not work if “Convert uploads to Google Drive editor format” is checked in the Google Drive settings. Let’s follow the steps below to learn the method.

  • First of all, open Google Drive and select New.

10-insert new file to Google Drive

  • Then, select File Upload from the drop-down menu.

11-Select File Upload option

  • Now, select the Excel file you want to convert and click on Open.

12-select desired Excel file and Open it

  • Next, you will see that the Excel file is uploaded to your Google Drive. But, it is still in Excel format.
  • Double-click on the file to open it.

13-Uploaded file in .xlsx format

  • Then, click on the File tab and select Save as Google Sheets.

14-Save Excel file as Google Sheets

  • Finally, the Excel file will be converted to Google Sheets and you can find it in Google Drive.

15-result after saving Excel file as Google Sheets


2. Import Excel File to Convert it into Google Sheets

Another way to convert an Excel file to Google Spreadsheet is to import it into Google Sheets. Follow the steps below to apply this method.

  • First, go to the following link to open Google Sheets webpage and open a new spreadsheet:
  • Then, select File ➤ Import.

16-Import files to Google Sheets

  • After that, select Upload ➤ Browse.
  • You can also upload the file from your drive if it already exists there.

17-upload file in Google Drive

  • Next, select the Excel file you want to convert and click on Open.

18-select Excel file to upload

  • Now, select Create new spreadsheet in the Import location section.
  • Click on Import Data to proceed.

19-Select Create new spreadsheet to import Excel file

  • As a result, the Excel file will be uploaded successfully.
  • Select Open now.

20-select Open now to open imported Excel file

  • Finally, you will be able to convert the Excel file into Google Spreadsheet.

21-Result after converting Excel file into Google Sheets


How to Convert Google Sheets to Excel File

In the previous methods, I explained how you can convert Excel file to Google Sheets. Now, I will explain how to convert Google Sheets to Excel. The process is quite simple.

  • To convert Google Sheets to Excel, select File ➤ Download ➤ Microsoft Excel (.xlsx).
  • As a result, the Google Sheet will be downloaded as an Excel file.

22-Convert Google Sheets to Excel file


Main Limitations of Converting Excel File to Google Sheets

In most cases, Google Sheets performs well. But It has some limitations. In some cases, the conversion is not smooth and creates problems. We can discuss the limitations briefly below:

  • Google Spreadsheet size is a common concern. Recently, it has increased its capacity and can work with 10 million cells. But it is better not to convert your Excel file to Google Sheets if it has more than 5 million cells. It may show the message “The worksheet is too large to import” for large Excel files.
  • Google Sheets does not have the ability to use VBA.
  • Google Sheets can’t implement advanced data models.
  • If the Excel file has links to other workbooks, then Google Sheets will not be able to retrieve them.

Things to Remember

  • It should be noted that you will not be able to import passwordprotected Excel files to Google Sheets.
  • Google Sheets does not support all the functionality of Excel. So, you might face problems while converting Excel files with advanced functionality. You can simply avoid this problem by removing the feature from your Excel file that is causing the problem.

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Conclusion

So, you have reached the end of my article. Here, I tried to explain how to automatically convert Excel files to Google Sheets with easy steps. I also tried to explain the alternative ways to convert Excel files to Google Sheets and how you can convert Google Sheets to Excel. Lastly, if you have any questions, feel free to let me know in the comment section below.


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<< Go Back to Export Excel to Google Sheets | Export Data from Excel | Learn Excel

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Mashhura Jahan
Mashhura Jahan

Mashhura Jahan, BSc in Industrial and Production Engineering from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, invested 1.5 years at ExcelDemy. In roles like Excel & VBA Content Developer, Excel Charts, and Dashboard course trainer, she wrote 90+ articles. She was previously part of the forum support team and a junior software analyst on the Excel Add-in project. With interests spanning Excel, VBA, Power Query, Python, Data Science, and Software Development, Mashhura brings a diverse skill set to her... Read Full Bio

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