Although CSVs are a great format to use when storing huge amounts of data, they’re not necessarily the best file to use when distributing this data or sharing it with others. On the other hand, Google Sheets is the perfect tool for this, thanks to its web-based storage and amazing collaboration features.

Importing CSV to Google Sheets may seem like a complex process, but you can actually automate this entire process. In this article, you’ll learn how to upload CSV to your spreadsheet, convert CSV to Google Sheets, and create a CSV file in Google Sheets that is compatible with other programs, both automatically and manually. Finally, you will learn how to automatically import your CSV into Google Sheets using Sheetgo, as the most straightforward and effective solution.

How to upload/import CSV to Google Sheets?

If you want to know how to open a CSV file in Google Sheets, just know that open, upload, and import all mean the same thing in this case: to transfer CSV data into a Google spreadsheet so that the data ends up in the appropriate rows, columns, and cells.

The following steps will show you how to import CSV data into a Google Sheet:

1. 1. Open an empty Google Sheet.
2. 2. Go to File > Import.
3. 3. Click on the “Upload” tab

1. 4. Double-click the CSV file you want to import.
2. 5. Select the “Append to current sheet” from the “Import location” dropdown menu. Once finished, click “Import data”.

1. 6. Your Google Sheet should appropriately display the CSV data.

Importing multiple CSV files into Google Sheets requires coding or particular apps. However, you can carry out the above instructions on how to upload CSV to Google Sheets multiple times whilst in the same spreadsheet, which achieves the same goal without this level of complexity.

How to convert CSV to Google Sheets?

Converting CSV to Google Sheets is similar to uploading, however, Google Drive has a setting that automatically converts and inputs CSV into a Google Sheet. You also end up with a spreadsheet automatically saved into your Google Drive when you convert a CSV file.

The following steps will show you how to activate this setting:

1. 1. Open your Google Drive.
2. 2. Click on the gear icon, then click “Settings”.

1. 3. Tick the box titled “Convert uploads” and click ‘Done’.

1. 4. Now it’s time to upload your CSV file as normal. Go to New > File upload.
2. 5. Double-click the CSV file you want to import.
3. 6. Double-click the new Google Sheet to view the data.

How to create a CSV file in Google Sheets?

While it is handy to know how to import and convert CSV data to Google Sheets, there will probably come a time when you need to do the opposite: create a CSV file with Google Sheets data. Fear not, however, as this process is very straightforward.

Follow these steps to learn how to create a CSV file in Google Sheets:

1. 1. Open a Google Sheet containing your formatted data.
2. 2. Go to File > Download > Comma Separated Values (.csv).

1. 3. Once the download is complete, you can view the CSV data by going to your computer’s home folders, locating the CSV file, and opening it either using a CSV compatible or text-based program.
2. 4. The data should appear similar to the following screenshot.

How to manually import CSV into Google Sheets?

Despite the usefulness of automatically uploading, converting, and creating CSV files, there are certain circumstances in which the only way of opening CSV data in Google Sheets is the old-fashioned way. For example, if you only want to import a small section of a large dataset rather than the whole thing, you must do it manually.

The following steps will show you how to manually import CSV data into a Google Sheet:

1. 1. Open a blank spreadsheet.
2. 2. Open your CSV file with a CSV-compatible or text-based app.
3. 3. Highlight and copy the values you wish to import to Google Sheets and right-click > Copy, or use the keyboard shortcuts Ctrl + C / Cmd + C.

1. 4. Paste your values into your Google Sheet cells with right-click > Paste, or using the keyboard shortcuts Ctrl + V / Cmd + V.

Continue these steps for each section of data you wish to paste into a new column or row in your Google Sheet.

How to import CSV to Google Sheets automatically

In the video below, you will learn how to use Sheetgo to quickly connect your CSV and Google Sheets files and schedule automatic updates. With Sheetgo, you can forget about manually updating your CSV with changes. Set up scheduled updates to automatically refresh your data across your chosen formats.

Conclusion

As you can see, CSV and Google Sheets aren’t enemies; they’re actually friends, perfectly compatible, and with multiple ways of connecting. Whether you want to import CSV to Google Sheets, convert CSV data to your spreadsheet, or create a CSV file from a Google Sheet, there’s a method for you.

As you’ve seen in this article, none of these methods are tricky or time-consuming, nor do they involve even the slightest bit of coding. All you need is Google Sheets, and you’re well enough equipped to take on any amount of CSV data. 

However, these methods allow you to import data from the CSV to Google Sheets, but you will need to update the CSV files manually. Using Sheetgo, you can connect your data to ensure all your formats are updated. Sign up for Sheetgo for free and start saving time today.

With all the time you’re now going to save on your spreadsheets, why not check out one of our related articles? The related articles below are perfect for learning more about converting or importing data from one spreadsheet file to another:

• Transfer data from one Excel worksheet to another automatically
• How to use IMPORTRANGE in Google Sheets