Hey, besties! Are you tired of trying to wrangle data in your Google Docs? Well, I’ve got some juicy secrets to share with you. In this article, I’ll show you how to effortlessly import data from Google Sheets into your Google Docs. Plus, I’ll let you in on a little trick to update tables in Google Docs with just one click. So, grab your favorite drink and get ready to make your documents shine!
How to Insert a Google Sheet into a Google Doc
Let’s start with the basics. Sometimes, you just want to show high-level data or present information in a more digestible format than a spreadsheet. That’s where copying snippets of Sheets data into a Google Doc comes in handy. Here’s how you can do it:
- Open both the Google Sheet with the desired data and the Google Doc where you want to insert the table.
- In your spreadsheet, highlight the data you want to copy and select Edit > Copy (or use your preferred keyboard shortcut).
- Switch to your Google Doc, click on the spot where you want the table to appear, and then select Edit > Paste.
- In the Paste table window that pops up, choose Link to spreadsheet and click Paste.
- Voilà! The selected data from your spreadsheet will be beautifully imported into your Google Doc, keeping the original formatting intact.
Just a little heads up, there are a couple of things to keep in mind:
- If you choose Paste unlinked, the table in Google Docs won’t be linked to the original spreadsheet. So, any updates made in the spreadsheet won’t be reflected in the Google Doc.
- Remember, you can only link tables in Google Docs to spreadsheets in the same Google account. If the table is linked to a spreadsheet from another account, you need to have Editor access to that spreadsheet.
Give it a try, and you’ll see how easy it is to create stunning tables in your Google Docs. Trust me, your documents will thank you!
How to Update Your Table in Google Docs
Who has time to manually update tables every time there’s a change in the original data source? Luckily, Google has got your back! Here’s the scoop on updating your table in Google Docs with just one click:
- Open your Google Doc and select the Update button that magically appears above your table.
- Your table will be instantly updated, and the Update button will disappear. This indicates that your table now reflects the most recent version of your spreadsheet data.
Remember, when you initially copied data from your spreadsheet to your document, you copied a specific cell range. So, if you plan to add more rows or columns of data to your Google Sheet, update the data range for your table in Google Docs. Here’s how:
- Select any cell in the table and click on the link icon (🔗) that appears in the top-right corner above the table. Choose Change range.
- In the Linked cell range window, update the range and click OK. This will automatically add empty rows to your table.
Pro tip: If you’re unsure about the data you might add later, give yourself an additional 5-10 rows as a buffer. This way, you’ll have room to breathe even when adding more information.
Now you can effortlessly keep your tables up to date without breaking a sweat. Your documents will always reflect the latest and greatest data!
Bonus: How to Insert a Chart from Google Sheets
Need to spice up your Google Doc with some visual data? No worries, I’ve got you covered! Follow these steps to insert a chart directly from Google Sheets:
- Create a chart in your Google Sheets spreadsheet using your data.
- In your Google Doc, go to Insert > Chart > From Sheets.
- Select the Google Sheet that contains your chart.
- In the Import chart window, choose the chart you want and click Import.
Boom! An image of the chart will be embedded in your Google Doc. You can resize and move it around as needed. If you want to make any changes to the chart, simply edit the original chart in Google Sheets. Then, in your Google Doc, select the chart and click Update—just like you would with your table.
Your documents will now showcase eye-catching charts that will impress your readers. Get ready to make a visual impact!
More Ways to Connect Google Sheets to Google Docs
If you’re tired of the manual copy-paste routine between Google Sheets and Google Docs, I have a little secret for you: Zapier! With Zapier, you can automate the transfer of information between the two apps effortlessly. No more wasting time and energy on repetitive tasks.
Head over to Crawlan.com and explore our Zap templates specifically designed to streamline your workflow. With Zapier’s support for thousands of apps, you can connect Google Sheets to Google Docs—and beyond. Start building your Zap now and unleash your creativity!
That’s a wrap, my dear friends! You now possess some insider secrets to elevate your Google Docs game. Say goodbye to tedious data entry and hello to beautiful tables and charts. Your documents will look polished and professional, leaving a lasting impression. Happy documenting!
Note: This article was originally published by Matthew Guay in May 2019. The most recent update was in November 2022.
