About the IMPORTHTML Function
Overview of IMPORTHTML
| Import Tables or Lists from Web PagesGoogle Sheets Function | ||
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=IMPORTHTML( URL, Query, Index ) Summary The IMPORTHTML function retrieves an HTML table or list from a specified webpage and displays it in your spreadsheet. |
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When to Use IMPORTHTML
- When you need regularly updated data from a webpage.
- To reduce manual copying and pasting of data.
- For leveraging real-time data in analysis or reporting.
How to Use IMPORTHTML
The table below demonstrates the basic usage of the IMPORTHTML function:
| A | B | C | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Description | Formula | Result |
| 2 | Fetch stock prices | =IMPORTHTML(“https://example.com/stocks”, “table”, 1) | Displays the specified table |
| 3 | Retrieve news list | =IMPORTHTML(“https://example.com/news”, “list”, 2) | Displays the specified list |
Results
- Cell B2 imports the first table from the specified webpage.
- Cell B3 imports the second list from the specified webpage.
Advanced Applications of IMPORTHTML
The IMPORTHTML function automates data retrieval, making it versatile for various scenarios:
- Real-time data fetching for stocks, weather, or currency rates.
- Collecting product lists or price information from online stores.
- Fetching updates from news or blog lists for sharing and analysis.
The table below demonstrates an advanced use case combining the IF function:
| A | B | C | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Conditional Data Retrieval | Formula | Result |
| 2 | Show “High” if stock price > 100 | =IF(IMPORTHTML(“https://example.com/stocks”, “table”, 1) > 100, “High”, “Low”) | Displays “High” or “Low” |
Points to Note
- The webpage must use HTTPS; non-HTTPS URLs may not work.
- Dynamic pages or JavaScript-generated data cannot be retrieved.
- Website structure changes or access restrictions can cause data retrieval to fail.
Conclusion
- The IMPORTHTML function is a powerful tool for extracting tables and lists from web pages into Google Sheets.
- It is ideal for real-time data usage and regularly updated data sources.
- Understanding its limitations ensures efficient and appropriate usage for effective data management.