How to merge Google Sheets

If you want to level up your data management game, look no further than Google Sheets. It’s a very powerful, flexible, and affordable tool that can help you store, manage and analyze data. As a result, it has become a very popular spreadsheet application that is very helpful and easy to use. Businesses of all sizes and industries are using Google Sheets to manage their data.

Although it’s relatively easy to manipulate data in Google Sheets, this powerful tool does come with some limitations. For instance, merging data from multiple files can be quite tricky in Google Sheets.

However, you don’t have to worry. We’ll show you how you can merge Google Sheets easily and effortlessly. In this article, you will find a step-by-step guide on how to merge Google Sheets manually and automatically.

Why merge Google Sheets?

If you deal with multiple spreadsheets on a regular basis, chances are that you have already tried to consolidate data from different sheets into a single spreadsheet. By merging Google Sheets, you can bring together data from different sources, consolidate it into a single spreadsheet and create comprehensive reports. 

When you merge data from multiple spreadsheets, you can:

• Consolidate data from multiple departments, locations, branches, projects or employees.
• Get a summary of data from multiple sources.
• Gain valuable insights from a more comprehensive analysis.
• Identify trends and patterns.

How to merge Google Sheets manually

You can merge Google Sheets manually if you simply copy and paste data from the source files into a spreadsheet. All you need to do is copy the range of data you want to transfer and paste it into the destination file. You can keep copying data from as many sources as you want and pasting it into a master spreadsheet.

Although it’s a simple and easy way to consolidate data from multiple sources, there are many drawbacks to this approach.

• Since it requires manually copying and pasting data, it can be a time-consuming process, especially when dealing with large datasets or frequent updates.
• Transferring data manually is prone to errors, which can lead to inaccuracies and inconsistencies.
• In order to keep your data always up-to-date, you would need to repeat the process whenever you add, remove or edit data.
• It’s not scalable. The more data you add, the more difficult it is to keep up with all the changes.

How to merge Google Sheets with formulas

If you want to use a formula to merge data from multiple spreadsheets, you can use IMPORTRANGE, which is a built-in function in Google Sheets that allows you to transfer data between worksheets. Some of the advantages of using IMPORTRANGE include:

• Unlike copy-pasting, IMPORTRANGE enables you to transfer data automatically by using a formula. This makes the process of pulling data from a spreadsheet and transferring to another sheet easier and faster.
• Whenever you update the source spreadsheet, IMPORTRANGE automatically updates the destination file. This will keep your spreadsheet always up-to-date.
• Since it’s a built-in function in Google Sheets, you don’t need to download any software or add-on. You’ll be able to consolidate data in Google Sheets simply by using a formula.

However, it’s important to keep in mind that IMPORTRANGE does come with some limitations.

• If you’re dealing with a significant amount of data and multiple complex formulas, the use of IMPORTRANGE can sometimes result in slow performance. You might need to wait for a long time until your spreadsheets are up-to-date.
• When you import data from multiple sources, you might get lost and lose track of all the multiple connections between your files.
• You may get some different errors when using the formula: formula parse errors, “spreadsheet cannot be found”, “cannot find range or sheet”, etc.
• When you transfer data from a sheet, you’ll need to grant permission to access that sheet. Whoever has access to the destination file will also be able to access data from the source file. Thus, you won’t be able to protect your data or keep it private.

If you want to learn how to use IMPORTRANGE in Google Sheets, check out this article.

How to merge Google Sheets automatically

If you want to merge Google Sheets automatically, there’s a better way. With Sheetgo, you can create automated workflows to consolidate data effortlessly.

• Say goodbye to complex formulas: You don’t need to write any complex formulas to import data from multiple sheets. You will be able to import data with just a few clicks.
• Keep your formatting intact: Sheetgo can preserve formatting when importing data, so you don’t have to waste time fixing it afterwards.
• Data privacy: You don’t have to share the data from the source file. Sheetgo keeps the data from the source spreadsheet private, ensuring that only authorized users can access it.
• Less prone to errors: When you use the IMPORTRANGE formula, you can get a lot of errors. With Sheetgo, you can transfer data with a few clicks, reducing the chances of errors.

Here’s how you can merge Google Sheets with Sheetgo.

In this example, I’ll merge data from three gradebooks into a single file.

Step 1: Sign up for Sheetgo

First, click the button below to sign up for Sheetgo and create your account.

Then, click Create connection to start building your workflow.

Step 2: Select your data source

Now select your source. Since I want to merge data from multiple sources, I’ll choose Multiple files. You can also select Files in a folder if I want to merge data from all spreadsheets in a folder.

Then click Select file to choose your source spreadsheets.

Here I’ll select all my source files.

I’ll enable the Transfer formatting feature in order to preserve number formatting in the master spreadsheet.

Step 3: Select a data processor

Now I can select a data processor. You can choose to filter or merge data. Here I’ll select Merge.

Now you can select which row you want to use as a header. The default option is the first row.

Step 4: Select your data destination

Now it’s time to select a destination. I’ll select Google Sheets.

Then I’ll choose the destination file. You can either let Sheetgo create a new file or use an existing spreadsheet. I’ll let Sheetgo create a new file. I’ll name it Gradebook.

Choose a name for the tab. I’ll name it Grades.

Click Finish and save to create the workflow.

Step 5: Automate the workflow

If you want to update the files manually, click Run.

In order to schedule automatic transfers, click Automate. Now you can schedule your workflow to run automatically. Select how often you want to update your workflow and click Save.

There you have it! Your workflow is up and running.

You have merged data from multiple Google Sheets into a spreadsheet.

Automate data management with Sheetgo

Sheetgo is your go-to tool to transfer data between spreadsheets. With Sheetgo, you can not only merge multiple Google Sheets, but you can also transfer, filter and split data with just a few clicks. 

If you want to split data from a spreadsheet into multiple files, check out this article on how to split Google Sheet into multiple sheets.