What replaces the Query Editor in Google Sheets?
Excel's Query Editor is the Power Query step UI. Google Sheets has no matching visual step list; you write IMPORT and QUERY formulas or Apps Script, and use Connected Sheets for scheduled warehouse pulls. Helper columns document each transform.
When to use it
Use formula chains or scripts when you relied on Query Editor applied steps.
When to skip it
Skip visual step nostalgia when one QUERY already replaces ten editor clicks.
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Read post →Related terms
Power Query
Power Query is Excel's click-and-refresh ETL engine. Google Sheets combines IMPORT functions, QUERY, Apps Script, Connected Sheets, and add-ons for the same jobs: pull web or file data, reshape tables, and refresh on a schedule. There is no Power Query UI inside Sheets.
Read guide →QUERY
QUERY runs a SQL-like statement against a range of cells and returns a new table of results. You pass a data range, a query string with SELECT, WHERE, ORDER BY, and optional headers. It is the fastest way to filter, sort, group, and pivot sheet data without helper columns.
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 →Connected Sheets
Connected Sheets lets you explore very large datasets from BigQuery (and related Google Cloud sources) through a Sheets interface with extracts, pivot-style analysis, and scheduled refresh. You work with a connected tab instead of pasting millions of rows into the grid. It targets analysts who outgrow IMPORTRANGE but still want a spreadsheet UX.
Read guide →VBA
Google Sheets automation runs through Google Apps Script (JavaScript) and recorded macros, not VBA. In Excel, VBA is the desktop language behind macros, UserForms, and many add-ins. Rebuild Excel VBA in Apps Script: triggers, custom menus, and batch range updates replace most workbook automation.
Read guide →Visual Basic
Visual Basic is the language family behind Excel VBA. Google Sheets does not run VB or VBA; the closest equivalent is Google Apps Script, which uses modern JavaScript syntax. Recorded macros in Sheets generate Apps Script you can extend, similar to how Excel's macro recorder outputs VBA.
Read guide →Done reading about Query Editor?
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