If you are using Google Docs to write a document with data from a Google Sheet, you may want to show it as a linked table. If you create the table in Google Docs with no linking, it will not update if the data in the Google Sheet changes. Also, this is double work as the data is already in the Sheet, so re-typing it is a waste of time. Below are instructions on how to embed a live Google Sheet directly into your Google Doc. The table that is created will update with one-click and can be styled however you like.
Create the Sheet
First, you need a spreadsheet created in Google Sheets with the table of data that you want to display in your Google Doc. In your spreadsheet, highlight the range that you want, right-click, and select Copy.
Paste it into your Doc
Then, go to the location in your Google Doc where you would like the table to be inserted. Right-click with your mouse and choose Paste. A window will pop-up asking you if you want to Link to spreadsheet or Paste unlinked. Choose Link to spreadsheet and click Paste.
Oh yes, that’s a live, linked table that you’re seeing.
Watch the Video
Working with your embedded table
Updating the embedded table
If you want to change the data within the table, you can go back to the Google Sheet to make the changes. When you come back to the Google Doc after making the changes, there will be a new option available to update the table when you right click on the table as shown in the picture below.
Adding rows
If you add rows to your table in Sheets, you may notice that the added rows don’t show up in the linked table in Docs. You will need to go back to the table in Docs after making the change, left click the more button (three vertical dots), and choose Change range.
Formatting the table
Formatting is probably best done in Sheets, but if you wish to format the table in Docs, you can right click on the linked table in Docs and choose Table Properties. This will bring up several options that will allow you to add bling to your table until you are satisfied.
Conclusion
Following the steps above should provide you with an easy way to insert a live, linked spreadsheet into your Google Document. Enjoy!
Alan A says:
Thank you very much for this! Is it possible to link the sheet and the document so that when I make changes in Docs it updates Sheets as well?
SheetsHelp says:
I’m pretty sure the syncing is one way. From Sheets to Docs. If you update it in Docs, it doesn’t go back and update Sheets.
TickTIck says:
Hi, i’m trying to link two documents. I’ve tried this but when I paste from sheets to docs the box that gives the option to ‘link to spreadsheet’ does not come up. It just pastes normally. Is there a fix for this? Thanks!
admin says:
Make sure the two documents are in the same account. My other suggestion is to look through the comments on the associated youtube video. There are a lot there. Here is the link:
https://youtu.be/x2lBkAhmeEA
Dan says:
You can’t link more than 50 rows.
Carlos says:
You are a god send Dan.. I’ve been trying to figure this out for 2 weeks. Thank you. Less than 50 rows works.
Shyam says:
To what extent we can increase the cell range ? Is there any limit ?
Prolific Oaktree says:
Maybe “50”? At least, that’s what “Dan” says above! My readers are always right, so let’s go with that.
caitlin j hanich says:
I can copy and paste/link the table, but my table includes a sparkline progress bar.
=SPARKLINE(D2,{“charttype”,”bar”;”max”,100;”min”,0;”color1″,”green”}) with D2 being a percentage.
That doesn’t show up on my pasted/linked table in docs. Way to get a progress bar that shows in both?
Prolific Oaktree says:
You’ll probably have the most luck with embedding a chart instead of a sparkline.