Kage LabHow to import a table from a website into Google Sheets
Google Sheets has a built-in formula that can pull a table from a public web page and keep it up to date. When that doesn't work, a clean paste or a browser extension will.
=IMPORTHTML("page address", "table", 1) into a cell, changing the 1 to the number of the table you want. If you get an error or the wrong data, copy the table and paste it with Ctrl+Shift+V (Cmd+Shift+V on Mac) to drop the formatting, or use an extension.Method 1: The IMPORTHTML formula
- Copy the page's address from your browser.
- In an empty cell, type:
=IMPORTHTML("https://example.com/page", "table", 1) - Press Enter. The table fills the cells below and to the right, so leave room.
- If you get the wrong table, change
1to2,3and so on: it's the table's position on the page.
Sheets refreshes the data on its own from time to time, so this is handy for things like exchange rates or league tables.
Why IMPORTHTML says "Could not fetch url" or shows the wrong data
- The page needs a login. Google's servers fetch the page, not your browser, so they can't see anything behind your sign-in.
- The table is built after the page loads. Many modern sites draw their tables with JavaScript. IMPORTHTML only sees the page's original code, so the table isn't there yet.
- It isn't a real table. Grids made of boxes aren't detected. (For lists you can try
"list"instead of"table".) - The site blocks automated requests. Some sites refuse requests that don't come from a normal browser.
Method 2: Copy and paste without formatting
- Select the table on the web page and copy it (Ctrl+C / Cmd+C).
- Click a cell in Sheets and press Ctrl+Shift+V (Cmd+Shift+V on Mac) to paste values only.
- If everything lands in one column, select it and use Data → Split text to columns.
If numbers paste as text (left-aligned), select the column and use Format → Number → Number. Currency symbols may need removing first with Edit → Find and replace.
Method 3: A browser extension
An extension reads the table from the page you're already viewing, so logins and JavaScript-built tables aren't a problem. With TableHop:
- Open the page and click the TableHop icon.
- Pick the table, then open the ⋯ menu and choose Copy & open Google Sheets.
- A new sheet opens. Press Ctrl+V and every column lines up.
Which should I use?
| Situation | Best method |
|---|---|
| Public page, data changes often | IMPORTHTML |
| One-off, simple table | Ctrl+Shift+V paste |
| Behind a login, or IMPORTHTML errors | Extension |
| Table split across pages or loads on scroll | Extension |
Only import data you're allowed to use, and respect each website's terms.
A free extension for Chrome and Edge that copies any web table into Excel, CSV or Google Sheets – columns intact. It works on your computer and never sends your data anywhere. See how it works.