How To Turn Excel Into Google Sheet: A Simple Guide For Everyone
So, you’ve been using Microsoft Excel for your spreadsheets, but you’re curious about Google Sheets. Maybe you’re drawn to its cloud-based features, real-time collaboration options, or simply the fact that it’s free. The good news is that switching from Excel to Google Sheets isn’t difficult — with the tips provided here, you should learn how to convert Excel files into Google Sheets in as little time as possible. This guide will cover various methods to convert Excel spreadsheets to Google Sheets, ensuring a smooth transition.
There are several advantages to using Google Sheets. First, it’s completely free – all you need is a Google account. Second, Google Sheets is web-based, so you may access and edit your spreadsheets from any device with an internet connection. It makes it ideal for collaboration, as multiple people get to work on the same spreadsheet simultaneously and see changes reflected in real-time. Finally, Google Sheets offers a wide range of features that are similar to Excel, but also includes some unique functionalities like built-in form creation and easy integration with other Google products.
Before we proceed with the conversion process, here are some key terms to know:
Excel File (xlsx): It is the standard file format used to save spreadsheets created in Microsoft Excel.
Google Sheet: An individual spreadsheet within the Google Sheets application.
Google Sheets File: The entire collection of spreadsheets you create and store within Google Sheets.
Import vs. Convert: Importing data involves bringing your Excel information into a new Google Sheet while converting refers to transforming the entire Excel file itself into a Google Sheet format.
Uploading and Converting Excel Files to Google Sheets
The first method for switching from Excel to Google Sheets involves uploading your existing Excel file and converting it directly into a Google Sheet. It is a straightforward approach that works well for most Excel spreadsheets. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the steps:
Head to Google Drive: Open your web browser and scroll to https://drive.google.com/drive/my-drive. If you haven’t already, sign in to your Google account.
Upload Your Excel File: Click the “New” button in the top left corner of the screen. From the dropdown menu, select “File upload.” It will open a file explorer window on your computer. Locate the Excel file you want to convert and select it. Click “Open” to upload the file to your Google Drive.
Convert Uploaded Files: Once uploaded, you’ll see a preview of your Excel file in your Google Drive. In the top right corner, you’ll find a dropdown menu with the option to “Open with.” Click on the menu and select “Google Sheets.”
Google Sheets Automatically: Google Sheets will automatically open your Excel file and convert it into a Google Sheet. You may now edit and work with your spreadsheet directly in Google Sheets.
Save as Google Sheets Format (Optional): While the conversion process is generally accurate, it’s a good idea to review the formatting and formulas to ensure everything looks as expected. If you plan to continue working with the file in Google Sheets, it’s recommended to save it as a native Google Sheets file for optimal functionality. To do that, go to the “File” menu at the top of the screen and select “Save as” followed by “Google Sheets.”
Things to Keep in Mind:
Google Sheets may not perfectly replicate all Excel formatting. While most basic formatting elements like font styles and cell borders will transfer well, more complex formatting might require some adjustments after conversion.
Some Excel features, like macros and Power Query, are not supported by Google Sheets.
If your Excel spreadsheet relies heavily on those features, you may need to recreate the functionality using Google Sheets’ formulas and tools.
Importing Excel Data into a New Google Sheet
The second method for converting your Excel data to Google Sheets involves using the import excel data feature to bring the information into a brand new Google Sheet. This approach gives you more granular control over how your data is brought in and allows you to potentially avoid some formatting issues that might arise during direct file conversion between Excel and Google Sheets. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to import your Excel data:
1. Create a New Google Sheet
Open your web browser and scroll to https://drive.google.com/drive/my-drive. If you haven't already, sign in to your Google account. Click on the "New" button in the top left corner and select "Google Sheets" from the dropdown menu. It will create a new blank spreadsheet.
2. Import Your Excel File
Go to the “File” menu at the top of the screen and select “Import.” A new window will appear with options for importing data in Excel format.
3. Select Your File
In the "Import data" window, you have two choices for selecting your Excel file:
Upload: Click on the "Upload" tab and then the "Select a file from your computer" button. That will open a file explorer window where you’ll locate your Excel file and upload it.
By URL: If your Excel file is already stored online, you may enter the file's URL directly into the "Enter the URL of the file to import" box.
4. Choose How to Import
Once you've selected your file, you'll see a preview of your Excel data. Below the preview, there's a dropdown menu labeled "Import range." It allows you to specify which sheet or range of cells from your Excel file you want to import.
The entire sheet will be selected by default, but you could adjust the range if needed.
5. Data Destination
The "Data Destination" section lets you choose where in your new Google Sheet you want the imported data to be placed. The default option is "Replace sheet 1," which will overwrite the blank sheet you created in step 1. You may also choose to create a new sheet within your existing spreadsheet or specify a specific cell range.
6. Import Options
The "Import options" section offers some additional settings you may adjust depending on your needs. That includes:
"Separate data with": The option allows you to specify the delimiter (such as a comma, tab, or semicolon) that separates your data in the Excel file.
"Has a header row": If the first row of your Excel data contains column headers, check that box to ensure Google Sheets recognizes them properly.
"Convert numbers to text": If you want to import your data as text instead of numbers (useful for things like postal codes), you may enable the option.
7. Import Data
Once you've reviewed and adjusted the import settings according to your preferences, click the "Import data" button at the bottom of the window. It will import your Excel data into your new Google Sheet.
Benefits of Importing:
More Control: Importing allows you to select specific parts of your Excel data to bring into Google Sheets, offering more control over the import process.
Formatting Adjustments: Since you're working with a new Google Sheet, you may apply any necessary formatting adjustments directly after import.
Things to Consider:
Complex Formulas: If your Excel spreadsheet relies on complex formulas, they might not translate perfectly during the import process. You may need to recreate the formulas manually in Google Sheets.
With the listed steps, importing your valuable data from Excel into a new Google Sheet should be straightforward and easy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Converting Excel to Google Sheets
How do I convert an Excel spreadsheet to a Google Form?
While you can’t directly convert an Excel spreadsheet into a Google Form, you could leverage the data from your spreadsheet to create a form. Here's the general process:
Import your Excel data into a new Google Sheet (as explained in the previous section).
Open a new Google Form (https://www.google.com/forms/about).
Design your form by adding questions that correspond to the data points in your Google Sheet. You may choose from various question types like multiple choice, short answer, or dropdown menus.
Once your form is ready, link it to your Google Sheet. It will allow any responses submitted through the form to be automatically captured and added as new rows to your spreadsheet.
How do I share an Excel spreadsheet in Google Sheets?
If you’ve uploaded your Excel file to Google Drive and converted it to a Google Sheets spreadsheet, sharing is easy:
Open the Google Sheet you want to share.
Click the “Share” button in the top right corner.
Enter the email addresses of the people you want to share the spreadsheet with.
Set permission levels (view, edit, comment) as desired.
Click “Send.”
Following the steps to collaborate on your spreadsheets with others in real-time.
It's as easy as that 🎉.
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