Blog headline list
=IMPORTFEED("https://blog.example.com/feed", "items titles", FALSE) lists post titles in column A.
What is IMPORTFEED in Google Sheets?
IMPORTFEED reads an RSS or Atom syndication URL and returns feed items in a table. You can request specific fields like titles, URLs, authors, or dates using query parameters. It is handy for lightweight media monitoring without a dedicated news tool.
When to use it
Use IMPORTFEED to track blog posts, podcast episodes, job boards, or product updates that still publish standard RSS or Atom XML.
When to skip it
Skip IMPORTFEED when the source dropped RSS, requires API keys, or when you need full article HTML. IMPORTXML or a webhook may work better.
How it works
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1
Locate the feed URL, often ending in /feed, /rss, or linked from the site header.
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2
Start with =IMPORTFEED(feed_url) to see the default column layout.
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3
Add query parameters such as "items titles" or "items url" to limit columns.
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4
Use "items" with create a custom column list per Google documentation for your use case.
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5
Combine with SORT or QUERY if you only want the newest ten headlines.
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6
Expect occasional delays because Google caches feed fetches.
Examples in Google Sheets
Podcast episodes
=IMPORTFEED(podcast_rss, "items title, items pubdate", FALSE) tracks new episode names and dates.
Competitor news
=IMPORTFEED(news_feed, "items title, items link", FALSE) feeds a weekly competitive intel tab.
Build this without starting from a blank cell
Use a Better Sheets tool for IMPORTFEED, then watch a walkthrough when you want the full pattern.
Better Sheets resources
Common mistakes
- Using the homepage URL instead of the actual RSS endpoint.
- Expecting full article body text when the feed only ships summaries.
- Monitoring hundreds of feeds with separate IMPORTFEED formulas on one tab.
- Ignoring time zones on pubDate fields when scheduling social posts.
- Assuming every site still maintains a valid RSS feed in 2026.
Frequently asked questions
- IMPORTFEED vs IMPORTXML?
- IMPORTFEED understands RSS and Atom structure. IMPORTXML needs custom XPath for the same feed.
- Can IMPORTFEED sort by date?
- Import dates, then SORT or QUERY the spilled range by the date column.
- Why #N/A from IMPORTFEED?
- Invalid feed URL, SSL issues, or a site that removed syndication.
- Does IMPORTFEED include images?
- Some feeds expose enclosure URLs in specific fields. Test your feed columns.
- Can I limit item count?
- Use QUERY with LIMIT on the imported table after fetch.
- IMPORTFEED and authentication?
- Public feeds only. Private podcast feeds with tokens need Apps Script.
- How fresh is the data?
- Google refreshes on recalc with caching. Not instant push notifications.
Related Tutorials
Watch how IMPORTFEED works
Convert Google Sheets into a REST API
Google Sheets Easter Eggs Beyond PRIDE
Related blog posts
Guides that explain IMPORTFEED in more depth.
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Read post →Related glossary terms
IMPORTXML
IMPORTXML fetches a URL and returns data matching an XPath query. You can scrape page titles, meta tags, table cells, or RSS-style XML fields. It is more precise than IMPORTHTML when you need one value or a repeating node set from structured markup.
Read guide →IMPORTDATA
IMPORTDATA retrieves a text file from a web address and parses it into sheet cells. It works with comma- or tab-separated values published at a stable URL. Government open data, published exports, and simple report endpoints are common sources.
Read guide →IMPORTRANGE
IMPORTRANGE loads values from a range in another Google spreadsheet into your current file. You pass the spreadsheet URL or key plus a range string with an optional sheet name. After you grant access once, the link stays live and updates when the source changes.
Read guide →IMPORTHTML
IMPORTHTML fetches a public web page and returns a table or list from its HTML. You provide the URL, the query type (table or list), and the index of which table or list on the page to import. It is a quick scraper for simple pages without writing Apps Script.
Read guide →Done reading about IMPORTFEED?
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