Smooth Transition. How to Convert Excel to Google Sheets

Manually Converting Excel to Google Sheets #

Converting from Microsoft Excel format to Google Sheets can be a smooth transition if you follow these simple steps:

Upload the Excel file: Start by logging into Google Drive (https://drive.google.com) using your Google account. Once logged in, click on the "+ New" button on the left-hand side, and then select "File upload" from the drop-down menu. Choose the Excel file you want to convert and click "Open" to begin the upload.
Open with Google Sheets: After the upload is complete, find the uploaded file in Google Drive and right-click on it. From the context menu, click on "Open with", and then select "Google Sheets". This will open the Excel file in Google Sheets.
Review the conversion: Google Sheets will automatically convert the Excel file into its own format. Take a moment to review the converted file and make sure all the data, formatting, and formulas are intact. In most cases, the conversion should preserve most of the original content. However, it is recommended to double-check and manually fix any formatting or formula errors that may have occurred during the conversion process.
Save the converted file: To save the converted file as a Google Sheets document, go to the "File" menu at the top left of the Google Sheets interface and select "Save". This will create a new Google Sheets file with the converted content. You can provide a new name for the file if desired.

Converting with Google Apps Script #

If you have multiple Excel files that need to be converted to Google Sheets regularly, you can automate the process using Google Apps Script. Here is an example script that converts Excel files stored in a specific folder into Google Sheets:

function convertExcelToSheets() {
  var folderId = "ENTER_FOLDER_ID_HERE";
  var folder = DriveApp.getFolderById(folderId);
  var files = folder.getFilesByType(MimeType.MICROSOFT_EXCEL);

  while (files.hasNext()) {
    var file = files.next();
    var destFileName = file.getName().replace(".xlsx", "") + ".gsheet";
    var blob = file.getBlob();
    var newFile = folder.createFile(blob).setName(destFileName);
    var newSheet = SpreadsheetApp.open(newFile.getId());

    // Perform any necessary post-conversion modifications here

    file.setTrashed(true); // Move the original Excel file to the trash
  }
}

To use this script:

Copy the code above into a new Google Apps Script project. You can create a new project by going to https://script.google.com.
Replace the "ENTER_FOLDER_ID_HERE" placeholder in the script with the actual ID of the folder containing your Excel files. You can find the folder ID in the URL when you open the folder in Google Drive.
Save the script and click on the "Run" button to execute it. The script will iterate through all the Excel files in the specified folder, convert them to Google Sheets, and trash the original files.

Note that the script performs a basic conversion, but you can customize it further to fit your specific needs. For example, you can add code to modify formatting, adjust formulas, or even merge sheets from multiple Excel files into a single Google Sheets document.

Use Cases #

Converting Excel files to Google Sheets can be beneficial in various scenarios, such as:

Collaboration: Google Sheets allows multiple users to collaborate and edit the same document simultaneously, making it easier for teams to work together on spreadsheets.
Cloud Access: With Google Sheets, you can access your spreadsheets from any device with an internet connection, eliminating the need to carry around an Excel file or rely on a specific computer.
Automation: Using Google Apps Script, you can automate processes and workflows that involve manipulating and analyzing data in spreadsheets.
Integration: Google Sheets seamlessly integrates with other Google services, such as Google Forms, Google Docs, and Google Drive, enabling smoother data management and sharing across different platforms.

By following the steps above, you can smoothly transition from Excel to Google Sheets and take advantage of the collaborative and cloud-based features offered by Google's productivity suite.

To import data from another sheet, follow the necessary steps in Google Sheets.
Learn how to get data from another sheet in Google Sheets using the appropriate formulas.
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Find out how to link to another sheet within Google Sheets for easy navigation and data connection.
Use the query function in Google Sheets to extract specific data from another sheet effortlessly.

Published 20 Jul 2023