Google Sheets helps make your data pop with colorful graphs and charts. With features like built-in formulas, conditional formatting options, and pivot tables, you can save time and simplify common spreadsheet tasks for free. It also allows you to get a headstart with a vast variety of schedules, budgets, and other pre-built spreadsheets – all designed to make your work all the better while making your life much easier.

In this article, you will gain information about Google Sheets REST API Integration. You will also gain a holistic understanding of Google Sheets, its key features, Google Sheets automation, and the steps involved in migrating data from API to Google Sheets . Read along to find out in-depth information about how to connect API to Google Sheets.

Introduction to Google Sheets

Google Sheets is a free Web-based Spreadsheet Program provided by Google as a part of its Google Apps Suite. It allows multiple users to create, edit and collaborate on spreadsheets in real time.

Google Sheets is a free and fully functional Spreadsheet program that is compatible with the most popular Spreadsheet formats. Since Google Sheets is a Cloud-based Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) utility, your files are accessible from anywhere via computer and mobile devices.

Key Features of Google Sheets

The key features of Google Sheets are as follows:

  • Collaborative Editing: One of the most widely used features of Google Sheets is collaborative editing in real-time. This allows multiple people to work on a single sheet from different devices at any point in time. Google Sheets also houses a robust sidebar chat feature that gives collaborators the ability to discuss edits in real time and make recommendations either through chat or its comment functionality. Collaborators can also choose to track changes using the revision history feature.
  • Offline Editing: Google Sheets allows users to edit files even if they are not connected to the internet. On the desktop, users can install the Google Docs offline extension on Google Chrome to enable offline editing for all applications within Google Docs.
  • Integration with Google products: Google Sheets and other Google Docs applications can easily be integrated with other Google products such as Google Forms, Google Translate, Google Finance, etc.

Additionally, discover the ins and outs of using SQL in Google Sheets to manipulate and analyze your data effectively, empowering you to make data-driven decisions with confidence with our guide on Google Sheets SQL: A Complete Guide.

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Introduction to REST API

REST API stands for Representational State Transfer, which presents some constraints of the REST architecture style. An HTTP request is used to access and use the data with commands such as PUT, GET, DELETE, POST, etc. 

A REST API, basically defines how different applications communicate over HTTP.  These different components remain loosely coupled and the transfer of information is fast and carried out efficiently. Since data formats aren’t defined, it serves a more diverse purpose and is easier to develop. Thus, REST APIs are a popular choice among web developers and have emerged as the standard protocol for web-based APIs.

The REST architecture can be understood as follows:

Google Sheets Rest API Integration - REST API Architecture
Google Sheets Rest API Integration – REST API Architecture

Understanding REST Components

A REST message contains these components:

A) Resource Path (Request Target)

Resource Path is the URL of the resource/object to be acted upon. The resource ID must be included in the path. The following resource path, for example, identifies a specific transaction/resource in the database.

https://apitest.abcde.com/pts/v3/payments/

The main part of the resource path begins after the host, apitest.abcde.com. “/pts/v2/payments” is the address of the Resource on the abcde.com end that processes transaction detail requests. abcde.com returns a request ID that provides transaction details that can be used for follow-up transactions, queries, or references.

B) HTTP Verb

The HTTP verbs express the action to be taken with respect to the resource:

  • POST: Creates a resource
  • GET: Retrieves one or more resources
  • PUT: Updates a resource
  • DELETE: Deletes a resource

These verbs are known as CRUD operations. They enable Resource Creation, Retrieval, Updating, and Deletion.

B) Body

A POST or PUT request has a “Body”. A GET request doesn’t have a “Body”. REST’s content format leverages JSON (JavaScript Object Notation). You can generate sample JSON request messages to help you structure your requests.

The Header is a collection of fields and their associated values that provide the receiver with information about the message. It can be considered as metadata about the message. The header also includes authentication information, which informs the domain that the message is genuine.

Understanding Google Sheets REST API Integration

Google Sheet REST API are the Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) that are used to read and write data in Google Sheets with respect to the data sent or received from other Applications.

Service Endpoint

A Service Endpoint is a base URL that specifies an API service’s network address. There could be multiple service endpoints for a single service. This service has the following service endpoint, and all of the URIs (REST Resources) are relative to this service endpoint.

https://sheets.googleapis.com

Some of the Rest Resources are as follows:

A) REST Resource: Spreadsheets

MethodFunctions
batchUpdatePOST /v4/spreadsheets/{spreadsheetId}:batchUpdate Applies one or more updates to the spreadsheet.
createPOST /v4/spreadsheets
Creates a spreadsheet, returning the newly created spreadsheet.
getGET /v4/spreadsheets/{spreadsheetId}
Returns the spreadsheet at the given ID.
getByDataFilterPOST /v4/spreadsheets/{spreadsheetId}:getByDataFilter
Returns the spreadsheet at the given ID.

For further information on Spreadsheets REST Resource.

B) Resource: Developer MetaData

MethodsFunction
getGET /v4/spreadsheets/{spreadsheetId}/developerMetadata/{metadataId}Returns the developer metadata with the specified ID.
searchPOST /v4/spreadsheets/{spreadsheetId}/developerMetadata:search Returns all developer metadata matching the specified DataFilter.

Fur further information on Developer MetaData Resource.

C) Resource: Sheets

MethodsFunction
copyToPOST /v4/spreadsheets/{spreadsheetId}/sheets/{sheetId}:copyTo
Copies a single sheet from a spreadsheet to another spreadsheet.

For further information on Sheets Resource.

D) Resource: Values

Methods
appendPOST /v4/spreadsheets/{spreadsheetId}/values/{range}:append
Appends values to a spreadsheet.
batchClearPOST /v4/spreadsheets/{spreadsheetId}/values:batchClear
Clears one or more ranges of values from a spreadsheet.
batchClearByDataFilterPOST /v4/spreadsheets/{spreadsheetId}/values:batchClearByDataFilter
Clears one or more ranges of values from a spreadsheet.
batchGetGET /v4/spreadsheets/{spreadsheetId}/values:batchGet
Returns one or more ranges of values from a spreadsheet.
batchGetByDataFilterPOST /v4/spreadsheets/{spreadsheetId}/values:batchGetByDataFilter
Returns one or more ranges of values that match the specified data filters.
batchUpdatePOST /v4/spreadsheets/{spreadsheetId}/values:batchUpdate
Sets values in one or more ranges of a spreadsheet.
batchUpdateByDataFilterPOST /v4/spreadsheets/{spreadsheetId}/values:batchUpdateByDataFilter
Sets values in one or more ranges of a spreadsheet.
clearPOST /v4/spreadsheets/{spreadsheetId}/values/{range}:clear
Clears values from a spreadsheet.
getGET /v4/spreadsheets/{spreadsheetId}/values/{range}
Returns a range of values from a spreadsheet.
updatePUT /v4/spreadsheets/{spreadsheetId}/values/{range}
Sets values in a range of a spreadsheet.

For further information on values resource.

You can follow the official documentation for further information on Google Sheets REST API Integration.

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Implementing Google Sheets REST API Integration

Google Apps Script is a Javascript-based scripting language, hosted and run on Google servers, that extends the functionality of Google Apps. Using Google Apps Script, we can connect a Google Sheet to a REST API and retrieve data from that API (for example, Numbers API) into our Google Sheet.

Establishing Google Sheets API Integration can be illustrated with an example of calling a REST API called Numbers API from Google Sheets.

The steps involved in connecting Google Sheets REST API Integration (Numbers API) are as follows:

Step 1: Open a new Sheet

  • Open a new blank Google Sheet and name it as per your requirement.

Step 2: Open Apps Script Editor

  • Select the “Tools” option in the Menu bar and then select “Script Editor“.
  • Script Editor Window appears in a new tab.
Google Sheets Rest API Integration - Script Editor Access
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Step 3: Name the Project

  • Name the project as per your requirement.

Step 4: Add API example code

  • In the script editor tab, you can write your piece of code. So, remove all the code that is currently in the Code.gs file, and replace it with the following piece of code:
function callNumbers() {
  
  // Call the Numbers API for random math fact
  var response = UrlFetchApp.fetch("http://numbersapi.com/random/math");
  Logger.log(response.getContentText());
  
}

In this case, UrlFetchApp class is leveraged to communicate with other applications on the internet to access resources, to fetch a URL.

Google Sheets Rest API Integration - Code.gs script editor
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Step 5: Run the Function

  • Now, to run the function click the “play” button in the toolbar.
Google Sheets Rest API Integration - Run
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Step 6: Authorize your Script

  • All pop-up appears that will prompt you to authorize your script to connect to an external service.
  • Click the “Review Permissions” button.
  • Now click on the “Allow” button to continue the process..
Google Sheets Rest API Integration - Permissions
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Google Sheets Rest API Integration - Allow
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Step 7: View the Logs

  • After clicking the “Allow” button, the program will run successfully. It will send a request to a third party for the data as mentioned in the code i.e, a random math fact and that service will respond with that data.
  • Logger.log() used in the code helps in recording the response text in the log files.
  • To view the response, select the “View” option in the Menu bar.
  • Now select the “Logs” option.
Google Sheets Rest API Integration - Script Logs
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You’ll see an output i.e., a random math fact such as:

[17-02-03 08:52:41:236 PST] 1158 is the maximum number of pieces a torus can be cut into with 18 cuts.

Google Sheets Rest API Integration - Logger output
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You can also try with different URLs such as:

  • http://numbersapi.com/random/trivia
  • http://numbersapi.com/4/17/date
  • http://numbersapi.com/1729

Explore how leveraging the Google Cloud REST API can improve your cloud services. Discover practical advice for a smooth integration process.

Conclusion

In this article, you have learned about Google Sheets REST API Integration. This article also provided information on Google Sheets, its key features, REST API, Components of REST API, and steps involved in implementing Google Sheets REST API Integration.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to use rest API in Google Sheets?

1. Open Google Sheets
2. Open Script Editor: Go to Extensions > Apps Script.

Does Google Sheets have an API?

Yes, Google Sheets has an API known as the Google Sheets API.

Can you pull API data into Google Sheets?

Yes, you can pull API data into Google Sheets using Google Apps Script as described above

How do I use Google Sheets as a database API?

1. Open Script Editor: Go to Extensions > Apps Script.
2. Write your script
3. Deploy as web app
4. Use the URL

Is it good to use Google Sheets as a database?

Using Google Sheets as a database can be suitable for small-scale applications or prototyping due to its ease of use and accessibility. However, it is not recommended for larger-scale or high-performance applications due to limitations.

Manisha Jena
Research Analyst, Hevo Data

Manisha Jena is a data analyst with over three years of experience in the data industry and is well-versed with advanced data tools such as Snowflake, Looker Studio, and Google BigQuery. She is an alumna of NIT Rourkela and excels in extracting critical insights from complex databases and enhancing data visualization through comprehensive dashboards. Manisha has authored over a hundred articles on diverse topics related to data engineering, and loves breaking down complex topics to help data practitioners solve their doubts related to data engineering.