How to Link Excel to Google Sheets (with Easy Steps)

In this article, we will link Excel to Google Sheets in 4 easy steps. To describe these steps, we’ll use the following sample data set:

4 Easy Steps to Link Excel to Google Sheets

Step 1 – Prepare Excel File

Save your Excel file containing the dataset above into a specific folder.

Prepare Excel File as An Easy Step to Link Excel to Google Sheets

Step 2 – Upload Excel File into Google Sheet

Open Google Spreadsheet in any browser and select File.

From the drop-down that opens, select Import.

The Import File dialog box will open.

From the Upload tab of the box, choose Select a file from your device.

Select the Excel file prepared in Step 1 and click Open.

Choosing Excel File to Upload Excel File into Google Sheet as An Easy Step to Link Excel to Google Sheets

Choose Create new spreadsheet as the Import Location and click Import data.

A message is displayed that the file imported successfully.

To see the file, click Open now.

The Google Sheets file looks like the following after uploading:

Copy the link of the sheet after uploading the Excel file into it.

Step 3 – Link Excel File to Google Sheets Using Formula

Now we can link the uploaded Excel file from the previous step.

Open an empty Google Sheet and make fields for taking input of data as in the image below.
In cell C5, insert the following formula:

=IMPORTRANGE("https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1v2UnVXS8Jg48mAmj9FseA5F-Dfye2rBDKOo1DpVDSJU/edit#gid=1516940839","Test Score!C5:F5")

Inserting Formula as An Easy Step to Link Excel to Google Sheets

The first part of the formula contains the link to the Google Sheet from the previous step and the second part contains the sheet name of the Excel file and the specific cell range.

Press Enter and permission will be requested to link the sheets.
Click Allow access.

The range C5:F5 with the same values from the Excel file is inserted.

Change any value from the first row of data of the uploaded Excel file.

The value of the same cell will change accordingly in the newly opened Google Sheet.

Step 4 – Show Final Outcome

Use the same formula in the cell range C6:C9.
Before pressing Enter, change the cell range in the formula for each cell.

The Google Sheet will be linked with the data from the Excel file.

Showing Final Outcome as An Easy Step to Link Excel to Google Sheets

Things to Remember

Insert a double quotation sign in the formula in order for the formula to work properly.
Using AutoFill to copy the formula will return the same result as the first cell. Use a separate cell range for the formula in each cell.

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2 Comments

smoosh Mar 14, 2025 at 1:49 AM

I’m confused. This doesn’t look like it’s syncing an Excel sheet to a google sheet, it appears to be syncing a google sheet to another google sheet. Once I’ve imported the excel file, there is no further connection from the original excel file to google sheets.
- Reply
  Shamima Sultana Mar 14, 2025 at 10:25 PM
  
  Hello Smoosh
  
  You’re absolutely right! This method imports data from an Excel file into Google Sheets, but it doesn’t establish a live sync between the original Excel file and Google Sheets.
  You can check out this article for Sync Excel to Google Sheets.
  
  If you’re looking for real-time synchronization, you might need to use Microsoft Power Automate, Google Apps Script, or third-party integration tools like Zapier.
  
  Let me know if you need further help.
  
  Regards
  ExcelDemy