When it comes to data analysis and manipulation, Google Sheets has become an indispensable tool for many professionals and individuals. Its ease of use, flexibility, and collaboration features make it an ideal platform for working with large datasets. However, sometimes, you may need to export your Google Sheets data to other formats, such as CSV (Comma Separated Values), to use it with other applications or services. In this article, we will explore the process of saving Google Sheets as CSV and provide a step-by-step guide on how to do it.
Why Save Google Sheets as CSV?
Before we dive into the process of saving Google Sheets as CSV, let’s take a moment to understand why you might want to do so. CSV is a widely accepted format for exchanging data between different applications and services. It is a plain text format that can be easily imported and exported by most spreadsheet software, including Microsoft Excel, LibreOffice Calc, and Google Sheets itself. By saving your Google Sheets data as CSV, you can:
- Import the data into other applications or services that do not support Google Sheets directly.
- Share the data with others who may not have access to Google Sheets.
- Use the data with other tools and services that support CSV import.
- Backup your data in a format that is easy to read and edit.
How to Save Google Sheets as CSV?
Saving Google Sheets as CSV is a relatively straightforward process. Here are the steps to follow:
Method 1: Using the “Download as CSV” Button
To save your Google Sheets data as CSV using the “Download as CSV” button, follow these steps:
- Open your Google Sheet.
- Click on the “File” menu.
- Hover over the “Download” option and select “CSV (Legacy)” from the dropdown menu.
- Choose the range of cells you want to export as CSV. You can select the entire sheet by clicking on the “Select all” button or select a specific range by dragging your mouse over the cells.
- Click on the “Download” button to save the CSV file to your computer.
Method 2: Using the “Get CSV” Add-on
If you need more control over the CSV export process or want to export data from a specific range or filter, you can use the “Get CSV” add-on. Here’s how: (See Also: Google Sheets How to Create a Filter? Master Your Data)
- Open your Google Sheet.
- Click on the “Add-ons” menu.
- Search for “Get CSV” and click on the “Get CSV” add-on to install it.
- Click on the “Get CSV” button in the add-on menu.
- Choose the range of cells you want to export as CSV. You can select the entire sheet or a specific range by dragging your mouse over the cells.
- Choose the CSV options, such as the delimiter, quote character, and encoding.
- Click on the “Export” button to save the CSV file to your computer.
Method 3: Using the “Script Editor” and “CSV” Service
If you need to automate the CSV export process or want more advanced control over the export process, you can use the “Script Editor” and “CSV” service. Here’s how:
- Open your Google Sheet.
- Click on the “Tools” menu.
- Click on the “Script editor” button to open the script editor.
- Create a new script by clicking on the “Create” button.
- Write the script to export the data as CSV using the “CSV” service. You can use the following code as a starting point:
- Save the script by clicking on the “Save” button.
- Run the script by clicking on the “Run” button.
function exportCSV() {
var sheet = SpreadsheetApp.getActiveSheet();
var data = sheet.getDataRange().getValues();
var csv = "";
for (var i = 0; i < data.length; i++) {
for (var j = 0; j < data[i].length; j++) {
csv += data[i][j] + ",";
}
csv += "\n";
}
var csvFile = Utilities.newBlob(csv, "text/csv", "data.csv");
var csvService = SpreadsheetApp.getOAuthToken();
var url = "https://docs.google.com/feeds/download/spreadsheets/Export?key=" + SpreadsheetApp.getActiveSpreadsheet().getId() + "&exportFormat=csv&gid=" + sheet.getSheetId();
var options = {
"method": "GET",
"headers": {
"Authorization": "Bearer " + csvService
}
};
var response = UrlFetchApp.fetch(url, options);
var csvBlob = response.getBlob();
var csvFile = Utilities.newBlob(csvBlob, "text/csv", "data.csv");
var csvFile = DriveApp.createFile(csvFile);
}
exportCSV();
Conclusion
Saving Google Sheets as CSV is a straightforward process that can be done using the “Download as CSV” button, the “Get CSV” add-on, or the “Script Editor” and “CSV” service. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can export your Google Sheets data as CSV and use it with other applications or services. Remember to choose the right CSV options, such as the delimiter and quote character, to ensure that your data is exported correctly.
Recap
In this article, we have covered the following topics:
- Why saving Google Sheets as CSV is important.
- The three methods for saving Google Sheets as CSV: using the “Download as CSV” button, the “Get CSV” add-on, and the “Script Editor” and “CSV” service.
- The steps involved in each method.
FAQs
Q: What is the maximum size of a CSV file that can be exported from Google Sheets?
A: The maximum size of a CSV file that can be exported from Google Sheets is 10 MB. (See Also: How To Remove Percentage Sign In Google Sheets? Easily Today)
Q: Can I export a specific range of cells as CSV from Google Sheets?
A: Yes, you can export a specific range of cells as CSV from Google Sheets by selecting the range before clicking on the “Download as CSV” button or using the “Get CSV” add-on.
Q: Can I export data from a filtered range as CSV from Google Sheets?
A: Yes, you can export data from a filtered range as CSV from Google Sheets by using the “Get CSV” add-on and selecting the filtered range.
Q: Can I automate the CSV export process using Google Apps Script?
A: Yes, you can automate the CSV export process using Google Apps Script by creating a script that exports the data as CSV using the “CSV” service.
Q: Can I export data from multiple sheets as CSV from Google Sheets?
A: Yes, you can export data from multiple sheets as CSV from Google Sheets by selecting the sheets before clicking on the “Download as CSV” button or using the “Get CSV” add-on.