How do I convert a Google sheet to Excel?

Do you routinely need to convert Google Sheets files to Excel? Often find yourself copy-pasting data from one file format to the other?

A few years ago, nearly everyone used Excel to crunch their numbers and store their company’s data. But now that Google Sheets is growing in popularity, it’s becoming more common to work across both Microsoft and Google platforms.

Everyone has their preferred spreadsheet format, so even if you use Google Sheets, it’s pretty likely that you’ll work with colleagues, clients, suppliers, or customers who use Excel. For these reasons, many people need a simple way to export data in Google Sheets to Excel.

Here I’ll take you through the steps on how to transfer data from Google Sheets directly into Excel.

Firstly I’ll show you how to , which works fine for occasional file transfers.

I’ll also show you using Sheetgo, the no-code tool for spreadsheets.

An automatic system is better if you frequently work with both Google Sheets and Excel, and need a seamless way to move data back and forth between the two file formats. Read the steps .

Learn the best way to convert your Google Sheets back to Excel versions — if Excel is a better fit for your organization or specific needs — and take steps to make the transition easier.

Included on this page, you'll find , details on , a description of , and .

Discover a more robust spreadsheet solution to track, manage, and share your projects and programs.

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In this article

Can You Open a Google Sheet in Excel?

The Google Sheets application has a built-in export mechanism (as do all the Google Suite apps), so you can quickly export a Google Sheet document and open it in Excel.

How Do I Download Google Sheets?

Before you begin, you may want to clean up the Google spreadsheet by making sure the text font and color is consistent throughout the document. If Google Sheets is open, take the following steps:

1. Click File. Click Download as. Click Microsoft Excel (.xlsx).

    
   

1. Choose where to save the document.

2. Open the document in Excel.

If you’re looking at the document in Google Drive, take the following steps:

1. Right click it and select Download.

    
   

1. Choose where to save it. The document will automatically be converted to the Excel format.

2. Open the document in Excel.

Exporting Google Sheets in Other Formats

You can also export a document to other common formats, like .csv, PDF, or HTML (if you want to share it on a web page or open it in a browser), and a couple of not-so-common formats, like OpenDocument and .tsv. The .csv and .tsv formats are text-only. Click File, click Download, choose the desired format, and follow the prompts (the steps will be different for each format).

With add-ons, you can also export Sheets documents to other formats, like JSON or XML.

Is There a Google Sheets-to-Excel Converter?

Currently, there is no program available to convert a large number of files or automate the process. If this is your goal, you’ll will need some custom programming.

Using Third-Party Apps

There are a couple of third-party apps that make it easier when you need to use both Excel and Google Sheets. Zapier and FME both connect other apps so that changes made in one document (e.g., an Excel spreadsheet) can be pushed to another (e.g., a Google Sheets spreadsheet). These changes include actions like adding rows or updating data in the sheet.

How to Link Google Sheets to Excel

The only way to do this is to use the third-party apps as described above. Zapier and FME will keep the two documents synced.

How to Copy Google Sheets to Excel

There is no way to copy Sheets documents to Excel. Instead, in order to keep the two programs in sync, link with a third-party app or download the Sheets document in Excel format whenever you make changes.

How to Save Google Sheets to Excel

Follow the steps above to download the Google Sheets document in Excel. If you update the Sheets document, you’ll have to re-download it to keep the Sheets and Excel versions in sync.

How to Prepare Your Business to Switch Back to Excel from Google Sheets

If you’ve given Google Sheets a try, but want to move back to Excel as your primary spreadsheet program, here are some things to think about and steps to take that can help expedite the process.

Reasons to Convert from Google Sheets to Excel

There are a variety of reasons an organization may decide to switch from Google Sheets to Excel for its spreadsheet needs. Here are a few of the more common ones:

• A key person may not want to use Google Sheets.
• Users may not want to be tied to the Google ecosystem.
• Policy requires sending documents as attachments rather than links.
• Sheets doesn’t have certain functions that a company needs.
• Spreadsheets are getting larger and more complex, so an organization requires the accelerated responsiveness of Excel.

What Happens to VBA, Macros, and Formulas When Transferring from Google Sheets to Excel?

When you’re opening a Sheets document in Excel, not all spreadsheet functions will make the transfer. The key items to be aware of are macros and formulas.

Macros won’t transfer because Excel and Google Sheets each use different scripting languages to create and store them. VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) is the scripting language Excel uses; Google Sheets uses Google Apps Script. When you convert macros in Google Sheets documents to Excel, you will have to recreate those macros after you open the documents in Excel.

Both applications use formulas. While there is a lot of overlap between the formulas Google Sheets and Excel use, there are many that only work in one of the applications or in which the format is different. When you move a document from Sheets to Excel, most formulas will continue to work, but you should still verify all of them.

Before you transfer documents, make note of any macros and formulas, so you can recreate the macros and verify if the formulas are working after you open the document in Excel.

Moving from Excel to Google Sheets

Even if you use Excel exclusively, someone may need to open a spreadsheet in Google Sheets. You can convert .xlsx, .csv, and a few other file types; they’ll be saved to Google Drive.

1. In Google Sheets, click File, then click Import.

    
   

1. If the spreadsheet is saved on your Google Drive, select it from the My Drive, Shared with me, or Recent tabs. If the spreadsheet is saved on your hard drive, click Upload and follow the on-screen prompts to drag and drop it.

    
   

1. On the Import file window, choose the option that works best, then click Import data.

    
   

1. Click Open now. You’re done.

    
   

Can Google Sheets Run Excel Macros?

Google Sheets cannot run Excel macros. Each application uses macros, but Excel and Google Sheets use different scripting languages to store and run their macros. These languages are not compatible, so any macros in an Excel spreadsheet that you import into Google Sheets will need to be recreated after you’ve completed the import process.

Benefits and Features of Spreadsheets

Whether you use Google Sheets, Excel, or another lesser-known application, spreadsheets are powerful tools that allow you to manipulate and analyze the data (both numeric and textual) in cells, columns, and rows. And, they are not just for financial professionals or accountants; creative people can use them as well. Here are some of the key benefits and features of both Excel and Google Sheets:

• Formulas, which allow you to perform all kinds of calculations — from simple math to complicated computations, like figuring out sales tax for multiple jurisdictions or determining projections of future income based on multiple factors
• Pivot tables, which allow you to filter and sort large data sets
• Visual representations of data, like line graphs, bar charts, pie charts, area graphs, histograms, and maps
• The ability to share documents with collaborators
• The ability to add comments and reply to collaborators’ questions
• The ability to format spreadsheets for web publication
• The ability to include links to external data sources
• The ability to filter and sort to facilitate analysis

Is Google Sheets Similar to Excel?

Google Sheets and Excel are both spreadsheets; they both perform the same functions. But, Excel was built in the PC era, whereas Sheets is cloud-centric (storing documents on Google Drive).

Things Excel Does Better

Excel is more feature-rich than Google Sheets, is superior at handling complicated calculations, and offers far more in-depth support. In addition, Excel surpasses Google Sheets in the following ways:

• You can send documents as email attachments.
• You can password protect Individual documents.
• Creators can disable the ability to forward, copy, or print documents.
• Collaborators can see who’s made changes.
• There’s a free, browser-based version similar to Sheets.
• Excel has better customization options (e.g., the ability to add frequently used commands to the ribbon).
• Macros in Excel are more powerful than those in Sheets.
• Excel has more data visualization tools (like pivot charts and SmartArt) than Sheets.
• Excel has a larger library of templates.
• Excel offers more text and sheet-formatting options.  
• It's easier to edit when offline.
• Excel supports input with a stylus (called Inking).
• It’s easier to auto-populate data into cells.
• Excel can open documents in an old format (.xls).

Things Sheets Does Better

Sheets is known for collaboration and a simple, user-friendly interface; because it’s easier to use (and free), it’s a good way to learn how to use spreadsheets. It also possesses the following features:

• Documents are automatically saved.
• Collaborators can chat in real time.
• Sharing documents doesn’t create new copies, which helps with version control.
• You can share links via email or an in-app chat window.
• There are three access levels (edit, view-only, and comment-only).
• There is a setting to prevent others from sharing documents.
• It’s easier to access and revert to earlier versions.
• Collaborators can see changes in real time.
• Because documents are stored in the cloud, it’s easy to pull data from the web to apply to formulas and calculations.
• Sheets offers real-time tips when you’re adding formulas.
• Integration with Google Forms allows automatic data collection from surveys and forms.
• Sheets makes it easier to edit documents on any device (e.g., a phone).
• With Sheets, it’s easier to embed a sheet into a web page.

Moving Google Calendar and Google Contacts

If you’re moving completely out of the Google ecosystem, you’ll want to export your calendar and contacts, too.

For Calendar:

1. In the upper right, click the Settings icon, then click Settings.

    
   

1. In the sidebar, click Import & export.

    
   

1. Click Export.

    
   

1. The program will create a .zip file. Save it to your chosen location.

1. Open the .zip file. There will be two .ics files available.

2. Open your new calendar and import the file that ends with “@gmail.com.ics.” For example, If you're moving to Microsoft Outlook, (2013 or 2016), open the app, click File, click Open & Export, click Import/Export, and then follow the prompts. If you're importing into the OSX calendar app on a Mac, click File, click Import, and follow the prompts.

For Contacts:

1. In the sidebar, click More.

    
   

1. Click Export.

    
   

1. Select one of the .csv options (both are fine) and click Export.

    
   

1. The program will create a .csv file. Save it to your chosen location.

2. Open your contacts app and import the .csv file. For example, for importing into the OSX contacts app on a Mac, click File, click Import, and follow the prompts.

Google Sheets vs. Excel for Android

Both Excel and Sheets have free Android apps that offer most of the functionality available in the desktop versions. The Excel app can only access files saved on OneDrive or that have been emailed. The menu structure on a phone is different than that on a tablet version.

Google Sheets vs. Excel for iOS

Both Excel and Sheets have free iOS apps that offer most of the functionality available in the desktop versions. The Excel app can only access files saved on OneDrive or that have been emailed. The menu structure on a phone is different than that on a tablet version.

Google Sheets to Excel FAQs

Are Google Sheets documents compatible with Excel?

Not in their native format, but you can export them to open them in Excel. Simply follow the steps in the section above.

Will Google Sheets open Excel documents?

Not in their native format, but they can be imported.

Can you export Google Sheets to Excel?

Yes. Simply follow the steps in the section above.

Can Google Sheets sort like Excel?

Both applications offer alphabetical sorting (forward and backward) and sorting by multiple columns. Excel also has the ability to sort by column color, font color, and icons. By using conditional formatting and these sorting tools, a user can easily find data. For example, if the use of blue text indicates those particular customers who haven’t ordered in the last three months, then sorting by font color makes it easy to find them.

Import Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel Files Directly into Smartsheet

Smartsheet integrates seamlessly with both Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel, making it easy to import both types of files directly into Smartsheet. And, since Smartsheet offers robust, dynamic reporting and project management capabilities, you can better manage, track, and share your projects with all involved parties.

To import your Microsoft Excel files into Smartsheet, follow the below steps:

1. In the upper left-hand corner of the Smartsheet interface, select the three-lined icon. This will open the Left Panel Navigation.

2. Click on the + icon and select Import.

3. A variety of platform selections will pop up, including Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel. Select Microsoft Excel from the options.

1. In the popup window, select either the Excel file you wish to import, and click Continue.

1. Next, in the Import Settings form, select the row in the form that contains your column headers, and select Import.

2. Your imported file will appear as a new sheet within Smartsheet.

3. Click on the sheet to open it and begin editing.

To import your Google Sheets files into Smartsheet, follow the below steps:

1. In the upper left-hand corner of the Smartsheet interface, select the three-lined icon. This will open the Left Panel Navigation.

2. Click on the + icon and select Import.

3. A variety of platform selections will pop up, including Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel. Select Google Sheets from the options.

4. In the popup window, select either the Google Sheets file from your drive that you wish to import, and click Continue.

1. Add or adjust your Sheet Name, Column Headers, and Primary Column selection in the popup window. Once you’ve finished, click Import.

2. Your imported file will appear as a new sheet within Smartsheet.

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How do I Download a Google sheet to Excel?