Access Live CSV Data in Google Sheets through Connect Spreadsheets

Cameron Leblanc
Cameron Leblanc
Senior Technology Evangelist
Use Connect Spreadsheets by CData to gain access to live CSV data from your Google Sheets.

Looking for Connect AI instructions?

Your Connect AI account includes Connect Spreadsheets, so you can use the instructions below. You can expect minor differences when referencing the Connect Spreadsheet platform, but the principles still apply!


Google Sheets is a web-based spreadsheet program provided by Google. When integrated with Connect Spreadsheets by CData, you can effortlessly gain access to CSV data directly within Google Sheets for tasks such as data analysis, collaboration, calculations, and more. This article offers a comprehensive guide on connecting to CSV within Connect Spreadsheets and accessing live CSV data seamlessly within Google Sheets.

Connect Spreadsheets is the easiest way to get all your live data into Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets - no more downloading, wrangling, and uploading files again. Just connect to your data, select the dataset you'd like to see, and import it into your spreadsheet.

This setup requires a Connect Spreadsheets account and the Connect Spreadsheets Add-On for Google Sheets. To get started, sign up a free Connect Spreadsheets account and install the free Connect Spreadsheets Google Sheets Add-On.


Configure CSV Connectivity for Google Sheets

Connectivity to CSV from Google Sheets is made possible through Connect Spreadsheets. To work with CSV data from Google Sheets, we start by creating and configuring a CSV connection.

  1. Log into Connect Spreadsheets, click Sources and click Add Connection Adding a Connection
  2. Select "CSV" from the Add Connection panel Selecting a data source
  3. Enter the necessary authentication properties to connect to CSV.

    Connecting to Local or Cloud-Stored (Box, Google Drive, Amazon S3, SharePoint) CSV Files

    CData Drivers let you work with CSV files stored locally and stored in cloud storage services like Box, Amazon S3, Google Drive, or SharePoint, right where they are.

    Setting connection properties for local files

    Set the URI property to local folder path.

    Setting connection properties for files stored in Amazon S3

    To connect to CSV file(s) within Amazon S3, set the URI property to the URI of the Bucket and Folder where the intended CSV files exist. In addition, at least set these properties:

    • AWSAccessKey: AWS Access Key (username)
    • AWSSecretKey: AWS Secret Key

    Setting connection properties for files stored in Box

    To connect to CSV file(s) within Box, set the URI property to the URI of the folder that includes the intended CSV file(s). Use the OAuth authentication method to connect to Box.

    Dropbox

    To connect to CSV file(s) within Dropbox, set the URI proprerty to the URI of the folder that includes the intended CSV file(s). Use the OAuth authentication method to connect to Dropbox. Either User Account or Service Account can be used to authenticate.

    SharePoint Online (SOAP)

    To connect to CSV file(s) within SharePoint with SOAP Schema, set the URI proprerty to the URI of the document library that includes the intended CSV file. Set User, Password, and StorageBaseURL.

    SharePoint Online REST

    To connect to CSV file(s) within SharePoint with REST Schema, set the URI proprerty to the URI of the document library that includes the intended CSV file. StorageBaseURL is optional. If not set, the driver will use the root drive. OAuth is used to authenticate.

    Google Drive

    To connect to CSV file(s) within Google Drive, set the URI property to the URI of the folder that includes the intended CSV file(s). Use the OAuth authentication method to connect and set InitiateOAuth to GETANDREFRESH.

    Configuring a connection (OData is shown)
  4. Click Create & Test

With the connection configured, you are ready to connect to CSV data from Google Sheets.

Access Live CSV Data from Google Sheets

The steps below outline connecting to Connect Spreadsheets from Google Sheets to access live CSV data.

  1. Log into Google Sheets, create a new sheet (or open an existing one).
  2. Click Add-ons and click Get Add-ons (if you have already installed the Add-on, jump to step 5).
  3. Search for Connect Spreadsheets Add-On and install the Add-on. Install the Add-On
  4. Authorize the Add-On. Authorize the Add-On
  5. Back in Google Sheets, click Add-ons and open the Connect Spreadsheets Add-On. Opening the Add-On
  6. In the Add-On panel, click "Log in" to sign into and authenticate with your Connect Spreadsheets account Authenticating with Connect Spreadsheets
  7. In the Connect Spreadsheets panel in Google Sheets, click Import Connect Spreadsheets panel in Google Sheets
  8. Choose a Connection (e.g. CSV1), Table (e.g. Customer, and Columns to import Choosing a Connection, Table, and Columns
  9. Optionally add Filters, Sorting, and a Limit Filters, Sorting, Limits
  10. Click Execute to import the data and opt to overwrite the existing sheet or create a new one. Opting where to import the data

Live Access to CSV Data from Cloud Applications

New, you have a direct, cloud-to-cloud connection to live CSV data from your Google Sheets workbook. You can add more data to your workbook for calculations, aggregations, collaboration, and more.

Imported data (Salesforce is shown)

Try Connect Spreadsheets and get real-time data access to hundreds of SaaS, Big Data, and NoSQL sources directly from your cloud applications.

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