How to Combine Data From Multiple Sheets in Google Sheets?

Data analysis in Google Sheets is a complex task. But when your data is scattered across multiple sheets, the job becomes even more difficult. 

With sales figures on one sheet, customer information on a second spreadsheet, and product information on a different sheet, consolidating business data can feel like pieces of a giant jigsaw puzzle.

And as you jump from sheet to sheet, precious time slips away. This delays your analysis, and the risk of error increases with each switch. 

What if there was a way to combine data, and you could just merge multiple sheets?

Data consolidation in Google Sheets helps with that. By consolidating data from individual sheets into one, you can create a single source of truth for everyone. 

In this blog, we share several ways to merge multiple Google Sheets into one. By the end, you’ll know how to merge two Google Sheets and analyze the consolidated data with ease.

Let’s dive in.

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Benefits of Merging Multiple Google Sheets

Google Sheets is one of the most popular database software in the market. When you merge multiple Google sheets, you enjoy many benefits:

• Streamlined data analysis: Consolidating information from multiple Google Sheets into one simplifies data management and reduces the time spent switching between sheets to gather information
• Create unified reports: Combining Google Sheets gives you a cohesive view of data that helps create reports from different sources and share insights with stakeholders
• Get your whole team to collaborate on Google Sheets: Inviting all your team members to work on the same document simultaneously facilitates real-time collaboration, improves productivity, and ensures everyone can access the latest data

Here’s a quick look at how different departments can benefit from merging sheets:

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How to Merge Data in Google Sheets?

There are various methods and functions to merge multiple Google Sheets.

Step 1: Using ‘IMPORTRANGE’ and ‘Google Sheets QUERY’ functions

IMPORTRANGE

The ‘IMPORTRANGE’ function in Google Sheets allows you to import data from one Google Sheet to another by specifying the URL of the source sheet and the range of cells you want to import.

Steps to use ‘IMPORTRANGE’ function in Google Sheets:

1. Open the target Google Sheet and select the cell to import data.

2. Keep your data in the existing sheet, as you need the sheet URL to implement the IMPORTRANGE function.

3. Enter the formula in that cell =IMPORTRANGE(“spreadsheet_url”, “range_string”).

4. Press ‘Enter’ and provide access to the existing sheet if not given already.

5. Google Sheets will pull data from the current sheet.

Google Sheets QUERY

The QUERY function in Google Sheets allows you to run SQL-like queries on your data stored in multiple sheets. Unlike IMPORTRANGE, it lets you pull data from two or more sheets.

Steps to use the ‘Query’ function in Google Sheets:

1. Open the target Google Sheet and select the cell in the master sheet to import data.

2. Keep your data ready in your current sheet, as you need the sheet’s URL to implement the IMPORTRANGE function.

3. Use the formula =QUERY(IMPORTRANGE(“spreadsheet_url”, “range_string”), “query”)

4. Press Enter to execute the query.

Step 2: Use add-ons from Google Workspace Marketplace 

There are many Google Sheet add-ons to boost productivity. Here are the best ones for consolidating data:

Combine Sheets

This add-on in Google Sheets helps you merge data from multiple sheets into one.

Step-by-step process:

1. Install the Combine Sheets add-on. It’s in the ‘Extensions’ tab of your current sheet.

2. Open the add-on and select the existing sheets you want to combine.

3. Choose how you want to combine the data in Google Sheets (e.g., by rows or columns).

4. Click on combine, and you’ll see the range of two sheets successfully combined in the current sheet. 

Consolidate Sheets

This add-on in Google Sheets consolidates data from several sheets into one, using various functions like sum, average, etc.

Step-by-step process:

1. Install the Consolidate Sheets add-on, which you’ll find in the ‘extensions’ tab of your current sheet. 

2. Launch the add-on and select the sheets and ranges to consolidate.

3. Choose the consolidation function and configure any additional options.

4. Execute the consolidation.

Merge Sheets

This add-on in Google Sheets can merge data from multiple sheets based on common columns.

Step-by-step process:

1. Install the Merge Sheets add-on.

2. Open the add-on and select your source data and target sheets.

3. Define the lookup sheets, select key columns, and specify the merge criteria.

4. You can choose additional options to finalize where you want to place the results and which rows and columns you want to add in Google Sheets.

5. Click on ‘merge’ and your sheets will be consolidated. 

Step 3: Copy the tabs into one spreadsheet

By copying tabs in Google Sheets, you can manually combine multiple sheets into a single spreadsheet.

Steps to copy tabs into one spreadsheet:

1. Open the source spreadsheet.

2. Right-click the tab you want to copy and select ‘Copy to’ > ‘Existing spreadsheet.’

3. Choose the target spreadsheet and confirm to merge data.

Step 4: Export/import sheets

Exporting and importing in Google Sheets involves downloading and then uploading it into another spreadsheet.

Steps to use the Export/Import function:

1. Open the source sheet from the ‘Import’ section in Google Sheets.

2. Then, download the file and select a format in Google Sheets (e.g., CSV).

3. Open the target Google Sheet and go to CSV File > Import.

4. Upload the downloaded file and choose the import settings in Google Sheets (e.g. create a new sheet).

Step 5: Use cell referencing 

Cell referencing allows you to link cells between different sheets.

Steps to use cell referencing:

1. Open the target Google Sheet.

2. Click on the cell where you want to reference data.

3. Enter the formula =SheetName!CellReference. For example, here’s a formula for cell referencing: =Sheet1!A1 to reference cell A1 from Sheet1.

4. Press Enter to display the referenced data in Google Sheets.

Best Practices to Merge Google Sheets

Here are some actionable best practices for merging Google Sheets to maintain high-quality datasets.

Maintain uniform data formats in multiple sheets

Maintaining uniform data formats across all Google Sheets ensures accuracy when merging data. It also helps you minimize errors. Here’s how you can maintain uniform data:

• Standardize date formats: Ensure all dates follow the same format (e.g., YYYY-MM-DD)
• Use consistent number formats: Use the same decimal places and currency symbols
• Apply uniform text formats: Apply consistent capitalization and text styles.

Validate data entries to merge multiple Google sheets

Validating data entries in Google Sheets helps prevent errors and ensures the merged data is accurate and reliable. Here’s how you can validate data entries in Google Sheets:

• Use data validation rules: Set up rules in Google Sheets restricting data entry, such as allowing only numbers or specific date ranges. To implement these rules, select the range, go to Data > Data validation, and set the criteria
• Regularly review data: Check for duplicates, missing values, and inconsistencies

Provide descriptive names for sheets and tabs

Descriptive names in Google Sheets make it easier for anyone on your team to identify the content of each sheet and tab and navigate the data. Here’s how you can name your sheets and tabs in Google Sheets: 

• Rename sheets appropriately: Use names that clearly describe the data contained (e.g., “Q1_Sales_Data” instead of “Sheet1”)
• Use naming conventions: Develop a consistent naming convention for all Google spreadsheets and tabs

Label columns while merging sheets

Clear and consistent column labels in Google Sheets help understand the data structure and make it easier to analyze data. If you have messy columns or errors, you can use Google Sheet hacks to solve them. Here’s how you can label columns in Google Sheets: 

• Add headers to all columns: Ensure every column has a descriptive header
• Freeze header rows: Keep headers visible when scrolling. To do this, select the row, and go to View > Freeze > 1 row

Update data regularly while merging multiple sheets

Regular updates keep your data current and relevant. It ensures your reports in Google Sheets are always up-to-date. Here’s how you can update data in Google Sheets regularly: 

• Schedule regular updates: Set reminders to update the data periodically in Google Sheets
• Automate data refresh: Use tools and add-ons that automatically pull updated data from various sources

Limitations of Merging Multiple Google Sheets

Performance degradation with large-scale data

Google Sheets can handle up to 10 million cells in a single spreadsheet, but some users find that performance degrades significantly as the imported data approaches this limit. 

You may experience slow loading times, lag when calculating, and delays when using complex formulas or scripts in Google Sheets. 

The processing speed in Google Sheets is also affected by the number of functions, conditional formatting, and the complexity of imported data from multiple sheets.

Lack of advanced data features in Google Sheets workbook

While Google Sheets offers a robust set of functions for basic to intermediate data analysis, it lacks some advanced features found in more powerful spreadsheet applications. 

For example, Google Sheets has limited capabilities for advanced statistical analysis, complex data modeling, and creating sophisticated pivot tables in the combined sheets. 

This can be a significant drawback if you require in-depth analysis of your imported data or need detailed market research, financial forecasting, or comprehensive data modeling.

Collaboration issues in Google Sheets spreadsheet

Although Google Sheets offers real-time collaboration features, you can face issues with version control. If multiple collaborators edit the same imported data in one sheet, it can lead to confusion and difficulty tracking changes. 

Additionally, while Google Sheets allows for simultaneous edits in one sheet, it lacks more sophisticated project management features such as task assignments and progress tracking. 

While some work breakdown structures can improve collaboration, these limitations can cause inefficiencies, particularly in larger teams or complex projects that require precise coordination and accountability.

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Using ClickUp for Managing Spreadsheet Data

Several Google Sheets alternatives in the market can overcome its limitations. ClickUp is the best among them.

ClickUp is a comprehensive project management tool that handles extensive data without compromising speed or efficiency. You can create a database in ClickUp manually, just like in Google Sheets, or use the database templates in ClickUp if you’re running short on time.

Here’s an example of a template that makes data management buttery smooth. 

ClickUp’s Editable Spreadsheet Template simplifies everything from financial reporting to project planning with custom formulas, equations, and intuitive visualizations.

Download This Template

With custom views, tasks, and time-tracking capabilities, this template has everything you need to organize data.

• Table View: Choose from 15+ field types to store and categorize the information in an interactive database
• Board View: Highlight priorities with color-code labels and priority flags in an easy drag-and-drop interface
• Gantt Chart View: Monitor project progress in real-time with a unified view of milestones, dependencies, tasks, and timelines on a Gantt chart that can be color-coded for easy identification of priorities and deadlines 

ClickUp also offers other editable spreadsheet templates which you can use to kickstart your analysis. Once your data is ready, you can start analyzing it in the table view.

The table view in ClickUp offers a familiar grid-like interface similar to traditional spreadsheets in the market but with enhanced features tailored for task management and collaboration. 

It allows users to organize tasks, set due dates, assign responsibilities, and track progress efficiently within a single interface.

ClickUp also provides powerful tools like custom fields, formula fields, and column calculations, which allow you to perform complex calculations and manage data effectively within your tasks. 

Here’s a comparison between Clickup and Google Sheets capabilities across different features:

Benefits of Using ClickUp for managing spreadsheets and database

Get advanced data management features

ClickUp offers advanced data management features like spreadsheet templates, custom fields, and formula fields to perform complex calculations and organize data efficiently. These features are highly customizable and provide the depth that traditional Google Sheets spreadsheets lack. 

For instance, ClickUp’s Spreadsheet Template is a fully customizable tool for collecting and managing customer information effectively. 

Download This Template

Enter demographic data, revenue, feedback, etc., and filter by type to get detailed insights into your customer base. You can also use a customer intake form to gather information during client onboarding. Understanding your customers’ needs at the very outset helps create efficient strategies that align with their needs and expectations.

Overcome performance and scalability issues

ClickUp handles large datasets without performance degradation. Unlike Google Sheets spreadsheet, which can slow down with large amounts of data, it is ideal for extensive and complex projects.

Collaborate in real-time

With ClickUp, your teams can collaborate in real time. They can make updates, add comments, and assign tasks seamlessly, enhancing communication and ensuring everyone stays on the same page.

Integrate with tasks

ClickUp integrates task management directly with data handling. It allows users to link tasks, set dependencies, and prioritize work within their existing data. This integration streamlines workflows and ensures data management is closely tied to project execution.

Automate data management

ClickUp’s automation capabilities reduce manual effort by automating routine tasks. You can set up triggers and actions in your existing data to handle repetitive processes, ensuring consistency and saving time.

Get better UI and experience

ClickUp provides a user-friendly interface with multiple views, such as Table, Board, Calendar, and Gantt. This lets you choose the most effective way to visualize your data and tasks.

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Switch to Clickup for Better Data Analysis

While Google Sheets has ways to merge multiple sheets into one consolidated data sheet, it may slow down when handling large data sets or when multiple team members need to work on a sheet concurrently. Additionally, maintaining hundreds of spreadsheets can become a pain after a while.

So instead of switching between multiple spreadsheets, why not switch to Clickup for better data analysis?

With ClickUp, you don’t have to memorize complex functions and formulas. Its suite of templates, ability to handle large data sets, and task management features are ideal for professionals who manage large volumes of complex data. And that’s not all. Built-in automations for routine tasks and customizable views make this a tool every data-driven professional needs.

With ClickUp, your team can import data and collaborate on Clickup spreadsheets like never before.

So what are you waiting for? Sign up for free on ClickUp today!