Last updated: October 13, 2026
Quick answer: The Google Sheet ID is the long string between /d/ and /edit in the spreadsheet URL. In https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1AbCdEfG.../edit#gid=0, the ID is 1AbCdEfG..., and the number after gid= is the ID of the tab you are looking at.
In this blog post, we'll explain what they are, how to identify and find them, and how to use them to improve your work with Google Sheets.
Here’s How You Know Your Spreadsheet ID
The simplest way to explain spreadsheet ID is to imagine Google Sheets as a filing cabinet. Each sheet within the cabinet (think tabs) holds specific data, and the spreadsheet ID is like a label on the entire cabinet itself. The unique label helps Google Sheets distinguish some rows in your spreadsheet from others and allows you to perform various actions on it.
The spreadsheet ID isn't a random string of characters. It's typically a long string you'll find within the URL of your Google Sheet when you open it in your web browser. For instance, if your sheet's URL looks like this:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/LONG_STRING_OF_ CHARACTERS/edit
The "LONG_STRING_OF_CHARACTERS" portion is your Google Spreadsheet ID. That’s what connects your spreadsheet with other Google services or using it with advanced tools.
How To Properly Use Your Google Spreadsheet ID
Now that you know what a Google Spreadsheet ID is and where to search to find it, here are ways those characters change the way you work with Google Sheets:
1. Sharing Made Easy
Imagine collaborating with a friend on a grocery list. Traditionally, you'd have to email the sheet back and forth, risking version control issues. But with the spreadsheet ID, you’ll be able to share your sheet with specific people by granting them edit or view access based on their needs. All you have to do is share the URL containing the file ID, and they'll have instant access to your spreadsheet, no file transfers needed!
2. Publishing Your Masterpiece
Have you created a helpful budget template or a fantastic workout tracker? With the spreadsheet ID, you may publish your sheet for the world to see! Adjust the sharing settings to make your sheet viewable by anyone with the link, allowing others to benefit from your work.
3. Forms for Effortless Data Collection
Say you're organizing a potluck and need to collect dish contributions. Simply create a Google Form and link it to your spreadsheet using the ID. As people submit their entries through the form, the data will automatically populate your spreadsheet, saving you the hassle of manual entry.
4. Spreading the Spreadsheet Love
What’s so great about Google spreadsheet is its integrations with other Google services. With the spreadsheet ID, you’ll easily connect your sheet to various tools like Google Data Studio to create interactive dashboards or embed your sheet directly into a Google Doc for a seamless flow of information.
5. Automation Takes Over
While you might enjoy analyzing data, copying and pasting repetitive formulas will get tedious. It gets interesting The Google Sheets API, a powerful tool for developers has the ability to use the spreadsheet ID to automate tasks. Imagine a script that automatically updates your inventory levels based on sales data, all thanks to the magic of the ID!
Other ways to get the spreadsheet ID
With a formula
If you have a list of Google Sheets URLs in column A, this formula pulls out the ID:
=REGEXEXTRACT(A1, "/d/([a-zA-Z0-9-_]+)")
With Google Apps Script
Inside a bound script, SpreadsheetApp.getActiveSpreadsheet().getId() returns the spreadsheet ID and SpreadsheetApp.getActiveSheet().getSheetId() returns the gid of the current tab.
From Google Drive
The spreadsheet ID is the same as the file ID that Google Drive uses. Right-click the file in Drive, choose Share > Copy link, and the ID is the part after /d/.
Published-to-web links use a different ID
If you only have a link from File > Share > Publish to web, it looks like /spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-.../pubhtml. That 2PACX value is a published ID, not the spreadsheet ID, and the Sheets API will not accept it. Ask the owner for the normal edit or view link to get the real ID.
Using the ID with sheet2api
You do not have to copy the ID by hand to build an API on your sheet. With sheet2api you paste the spreadsheet's URL when you create an API and it takes care of the rest, giving you a JSON REST endpoint for reading and writing rows. See Google Sheet as JSON API and our overview of the Google Sheets API, its pricing and limits.
Frequently Asked Questions about Google Spreadsheet IDs
We understand you might have some lingering questions about Google Spreadsheet IDs. Here are some commonly asked questions to clear the air completely:
What is my Google Sheet tab ID?
The spreadsheet ID identifies the whole file. Each tab inside it also has its own numeric ID, called the sheet ID or gid. You can see it at the end of the URL, after #gid=. The first tab in a new spreadsheet usually has a gid of 0, and new tabs get a longer number. The tab ID is not the same as the tab name, and it does not change when you rename the tab. You need it when you work with a single tab through the Sheets API or build a CSV export link.
How do I create an ID in Google Sheets?
The good news is you don't need to create an ID for each row in your Google Sheet! Google automatically assigns a unique ID when you create a new spreadsheet. So, you’ll focus on what truly matters, filling your sheet with valuable data!
How to copy the spreadsheet ID?
Once you've found your Google Spreadsheet ID in the URL, simply highlight the entire string and copy it (right-click and choose "Copy" or use the keyboard shortcut "Ctrl+C" on Windows/Linux or "Command+C" on Mac). Paste the ID wherever you need it, for example, like sharing the sheet with a collaborator or using it with a Google Apps Script.
Does the spreadsheet ID change if I rename the file?
No. The ID stays the same when you rename the file or its tabs. Making a copy with File > Make a copy creates a new spreadsheet with a new ID.
Is the spreadsheet ID a secret?
Not on its own. Knowing the ID does not give anyone access. Who can open the sheet is controlled by its sharing settings, so check those before you post a link publicly.