How to Delete Multiple Google Sheets Files at Once? Effortless Cleanup

Are you tired of manually deleting multiple Google Sheets files one by one? It’s a tedious and time-consuming task, especially if you have a large number of files to delete. In this blog post, we’ll show you how to delete multiple Google Sheets files at once, saving you time and effort. We’ll also explore the importance of deleting unnecessary files and provide some tips on how to keep your Google Drive organized.

Why Delete Multiple Google Sheets Files at Once?

Delete multiple Google Sheets files at once is an essential task for anyone who uses Google Sheets regularly. Here are some reasons why:

Save time: Deleting multiple files one by one can be a time-consuming task, especially if you have a large number of files to delete.
Organize your files: Deleting unnecessary files helps to keep your Google Drive organized and clutter-free.
Improve productivity: By deleting unnecessary files, you can improve your productivity and focus on more important tasks.
Reduce storage space: Deleting unnecessary files helps to reduce the storage space occupied by your files, making it easier to access and manage your files.

Method 1: Using the Google Sheets API

The Google Sheets API is a powerful tool that allows you to automate tasks, including deleting multiple Google Sheets files at once. Here’s how to use the Google Sheets API to delete multiple Google Sheets files:

Step 1: Enable the Google Sheets API

To use the Google Sheets API, you need to enable it in the Google Cloud Console. Here’s how:

Go to the Google Cloud Console and sign in with your Google account.
Click on the “Enable APIs and Services” button.
Search for “Google Sheets API” and click on the result.
Click on the “Enable” button.

Step 2: Create a Project

To use the Google Sheets API, you need to create a project in the Google Cloud Console. Here’s how:

Go to the Google Cloud Console and sign in with your Google account.
Click on the “Select a project” dropdown menu and click on “New Project.”
Enter a project name and click on the “Create” button.

Step 3: Create Credentials

To use the Google Sheets API, you need to create credentials for your project. Here’s how:

Go to the Google Cloud Console and sign in with your Google account.
Click on the “Navigation menu” (three horizontal lines in the top left corner) and click on “APIs & Services” > “Credentials.”
Click on the “Create Credentials” button and select “OAuth client ID.”
Enter a name for your client ID and select “Other” as the application type.
Enter the authorized JavaScript origins and click on the “Create” button.

Step 4: Use the Google Sheets API

Once you have created your project and credentials, you can use the Google Sheets API to delete multiple Google Sheets files at once. Here’s an example of how to do it: (See Also: What Is R^2 in Google Sheets? Explained Simply)

var sheets = google.sheets('v4');
sheets.spreadsheets.list({
  'auth': auth,
  'fields': 'files(id, name)'
}, function(err, response) {
  if (err) {
    console.log('The API returned an error: ' + err);
    return;
  }
  var files = response.data.files;
  for (var i = 0; i < files.length; i++) {
    var file = files[i];
    if (file.name.endsWith('.gsheet')) {
      sheets.spreadsheets.delete({
        'auth': auth,
        'spreadsheetId': file.id
      }, function(err, response) {
        if (err) {
          console.log('The API returned an error: ' + err);
          return;
        }
        console.log('Deleted spreadsheet: ' + file.name);
      });
    }
  }
});

Method 2: Using a Script

Another way to delete multiple Google Sheets files at once is by using a script. Here's how:

Step 1: Create a Script

To create a script, you need to go to the Google Apps Script editor. Here's how:

Open a new browser tab and go to script.google.com.
Click on the "Create" button and select "Blank project."

Step 2: Write the Script

Once you have created your script, you need to write the code to delete multiple Google Sheets files at once. Here's an example of how to do it:

function deleteSpreadsheets() {
  var spreadsheets = SpreadsheetApp.getActiveSpreadsheet().getSpreadsheets();
  for (var i = 0; i < spreadsheets.length; i++) {
    var spreadsheet = spreadsheets[i];
    if (spreadsheet.getName().endsWith('.gsheet')) {
      spreadsheet.delete();
    }
  }
}

Step 3: Run the Script

Once you have written the script, you need to run it. Here's how:

Go to the Google Apps Script editor and click on the "Run" button.
Select the "deleteSpreadsheets" function and click on the "Run" button.

Method 3: Using a Third-Party Add-on

Another way to delete multiple Google Sheets files at once is by using a third-party add-on. Here's how:

Step 1: Install the Add-on

To install the add-on, you need to go to the Google Workspace Marketplace. Here's how: (See Also: How to Make an Average in Google Sheets? Easy Steps)

Open a new browser tab and go to marketplace.google.com.
Search for "Delete Multiple Google Sheets Files" and click on the result.
Click on the "Install" button.

Step 2: Configure the Add-on

Once you have installed the add-on, you need to configure it. Here's how:

Go to the Google Workspace Marketplace and click on the "Settings" button.
Click on the "Delete Multiple Google Sheets Files" add-on and click on the "Configure" button.
Enter the spreadsheet IDs you want to delete and click on the "Save" button.

Conclusion

Delete multiple Google Sheets files at once is an essential task for anyone who uses Google Sheets regularly. In this blog post, we have shown you three methods to delete multiple Google Sheets files at once: using the Google Sheets API, using a script, and using a third-party add-on. By following these methods, you can save time and effort and keep your Google Drive organized.

Recap

Here's a recap of the three methods to delete multiple Google Sheets files at once:

Method 1: Using the Google Sheets API
Method 2: Using a Script
Method 3: Using a Third-Party Add-on

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I delete multiple Google Sheets files at once using the Google Sheets API?

A: Yes, you can delete multiple Google Sheets files at once using the Google Sheets API. You can use the `spreadsheets.list` method to retrieve a list of spreadsheets and then use the `spreadsheets.delete` method to delete the spreadsheets.

Q: Can I use a script to delete multiple Google Sheets files at once?

A: Yes, you can use a script to delete multiple Google Sheets files at once. You can write a script that uses the `getSpreadsheets` method to retrieve a list of spreadsheets and then uses the `delete` method to delete the spreadsheets.

Q: Can I use a third-party add-on to delete multiple Google Sheets files at once?

A: Yes, you can use a third-party add-on to delete multiple Google Sheets files at once. You can install the add-on and then configure it to delete the spreadsheets you want to delete.

Q: Is it safe to delete multiple Google Sheets files at once?

A: Yes, it is safe to delete multiple Google Sheets files at once. However, make sure you are deleting the correct spreadsheets and that you have backed up your data before deleting the spreadsheets.

Q: Can I delete multiple Google Sheets files at once using the Google Sheets mobile app?

A: No, you cannot delete multiple Google Sheets files at once using the Google Sheets mobile app. However, you can use the Google Sheets API or a script to delete multiple Google Sheets files at once.