What is external data in Google Sheets?
External Data covers bringing data into Google Sheets or sending it out as CSV, Excel, PDF, or print layouts. Import and export choices affect encoding, page breaks, and whether links survive the trip.
When to use it
Use import/export options when you hand files to finance, print a report, or refresh external data on a schedule.
When to skip it
Skip repeated manual exports when a live share link, embedded chart, or API pull keeps stakeholders on the latest data.
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exporting data from Sheets
Exporting sends sheet data out of Google Sheets as a file or published feed. File > Download offers CSV, XLSX, PDF, and more for the active tab or workbook. You can also publish a range, share a view-only link, or script exports to Drive and email on a schedule.
Read guide →importing data into Sheets
Importing means pulling external data into a spreadsheet tab: from a file upload, another Google Sheet, a published CSV URL, or a function like IMPORTRANGE. The import dialog controls separator, locale, and whether new rows replace or append existing data.
Read guide →PDF export from Google Sheets
In Google Sheets, click File > Download > PDF (.pdf), choose what to export and how the pages look, then click Export. On a phone, use Share & export in the Google Sheets app. PDF is best for snapshots you email, archive, or attach when people should not edit cells. If someone needs a link that always downloads the latest version, use the Better Sheets PDF link generator.
Read guide →CSV and Google Sheets
CSV (comma-separated values) is a plain-text table format Sheets opens, imports, and exports easily. Use File > Import for controlled uploads or File > Download > CSV for handoffs to other tools. Watch encoding, delimiters, and date formats because CSV does not store types the way a native sheet does.
Read guide →Done reading about external data?
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