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How to use IMPORTRANGE from another spreadsheet in Excel and Google Sheets
Topic:IMPORTRANGE (cross-sheet)Heads up: Excel and Google Sheets do this differently.
Excel
='[SourceWorkbook.xlsx]Sheet1'!A2:B6Google Sheets
=IMPORTRANGE("https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/SPREADSHEET_ID","Sheet1!A2:B6")Try it with your data
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Step by step
- 1In Google Sheets, open the source spreadsheet and copy its URL from the browser address bar.
- 2In your destination spreadsheet, type =IMPORTRANGE("PASTE_URL_HERE","Sheet1!A1:D100") — replacing the URL and range with your own.
- 3Click 'Allow access' when prompted on the first use so Sheets can connect the two files.
- 4In Excel, use the path syntax ='[WorkbookName.xlsx]SheetName'!A1 or use Data → Get Data → From Workbook (Power Query) for a live refreshable connection.
Tips
- Wrap IMPORTRANGE in IFERROR to show a friendly message if the source sheet is temporarily unavailable or the URL changes.
Need the Google Sheets version instead? Open Sheets variant in workspace →
Working on a sheet you inherited? Run the Auditor on the whole file first — it flags every #REF!, #N/A, broken column pattern, and inconsistent formula in seconds, free, no signup.
Frequently asked
Why does IMPORTRANGE show #REF! after I paste the formula?
You need to click 'Allow access' once per unique source spreadsheet to grant permission. The error disappears after authorization.
Does Excel have an IMPORTRANGE function?
No. In Excel, reference another open workbook with ='[File.xlsx]Sheet'!A1, or use Power Query (Data → Get Data) for a refreshable external link.
More on IMPORTRANGE (cross-sheet)
See all →Reference
IMPORTRANGE
Imports a cell range from another Google Sheets spreadsheet using its URL and range string.
Error fixFix #REF!
IMPORTRANGE showing #REF! in Google Sheets means access has not been granted. Click the cell and allow access to fix it.
Error fixFix IMPORTRANGE
IMPORTRANGE not working in Google Sheets? Fix wrong URLs, sheet name typos, range errors, and access issues step by step.