Data Interlinking. How to Get Data from Another Sheet in Google Sheets

Manual Data Interlinking in Google Sheets #

Google Sheets offers a convenient feature that allows users to extract data from one sheet and link it to another. This feature, known as data interlinking, enables users to create dynamic connections between different sheets, ensuring consistent and up-to-date data across the entire spreadsheet. In this article, we will explore how to perform data interlinking manually and provide examples of use cases where this feature can be particularly useful.

Manual Instructions for Data Interlinking #

To manually interlink data between sheets in Google Sheets, follow these steps:

Open the sheet where you want to link data from another sheet.
Select the cell where you want the linked data to be displayed.
Type the equal sign (=) to initiate a formula in the selected cell.
Switch to the source sheet (the sheet containing the data you want to link).
Select the cell or range of cells you want to link.
Copy the selected data using the "Copy" option or the shortcut Ctrl+C (or Cmd+C on Mac).
Return to the destination sheet and click on the desired cell where you initiated the formula.
Paste the copied data using the "Paste" option or the shortcut Ctrl+V (or Cmd+V on Mac).

By following these steps, you can create a manual link between sheets in Google Sheets. Any updates made to the linked data in the source sheet will be automatically reflected in the destination sheet.

Google Apps Script for Data Interlinking #

If you need to automate data interlinking or perform complex data manipulations between sheets, Google Apps Script provides a powerful solution. By writing a custom script, you can extend the functionality of Google Sheets and perform various data interlinking tasks programmatically.

Consider the following example of a Google Apps Script that copies data from one sheet to another:

function copyData(){
  var sourceSheet = SpreadsheetApp.getActiveSpreadsheet().getSheetByName('SourceSheet');
  var destinationSheet = SpreadsheetApp.getActiveSpreadsheet().getSheetByName('DestinationSheet');

  var sourceData = sourceSheet.getDataRange().getValues();
  var destinationRange = destinationSheet.getRange(1, 1, sourceData.length, sourceData[0].length);

  destinationRange.setValues(sourceData);
}

This script retrieves all the data from a sheet named "SourceSheet" and copies it to a sheet named "DestinationSheet" in the same spreadsheet. You can customize the script to suit your specific requirements, such as specifying a different source and destination sheet or applying additional data manipulation operations.

Use Case Examples #

Data interlinking in Google Sheets can be beneficial in various scenarios. Here are a few examples:

Consolidating data: If you have multiple sheets containing data from different departments or contributors, you can interlink the relevant data into a master sheet for easy access and analysis.
Reporting: If you need to extract specific data from separate sheets and generate reports, data interlinking allows you to create dynamic connections that automatically update the reports as new data is added or modified.
Data validation: By linking data from a primary sheet to a secondary sheet, you can perform data validation checks and ensure consistency and accuracy throughout the spreadsheet.
Collaboration: When collaborating with multiple users on a project, data interlinking enables real-time data sharing and updating, ensuring everyone has access to the latest information.

In conclusion, data interlinking in Google Sheets simplifies data management and ensures the accuracy and consistency of your spreadsheet. Whether you choose to perform this task manually or utilize Google Apps Script to automate the process, interlinking data between sheets can immensely improve your productivity and data integrity.

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Published 20 Jul 2023