=IMPORTFROMWEB() is a custom Google Sheets function that comes with the ImportFromWeb extension (the extension is available on the Google Workspace Marketplace). It enables to extract data from any websites directly into your spreadsheet with just a simple function call.
Just think about ImportFromWeb as web scraping directly in Google Sheets…without any technical knowledge!
Because it’s a simple spreadsheet formula, you can use it in any existing or new Google Sheets document. This enables you to seamlessly combine scraped data with any existing datasets, apply filters, create charts, and leverage all other Google Sheets features to analyze and manipulate the data as needed.
Below are the main capacities offered by the ImportFromWeb extension and the =IMPORTFROMWEB() formula’s in terms of scraping. The formula’s syntax is detailed in the next section (LINK LINK LINK)( TODO to be set after publishing the page ).
=IMPORTFROMWEB() features
ImportFromWeb comes with a wide range of advanced features designed to fetch any websites and extract data efficiently. Whether you’re dealing with dynamic content, location-specific information, or just need a reliable way to automate data retrieval, the =IMPORTFROMWEB() formula provides the flexibility and control needed for both simple and complex scraping tasks.
Javascript rendering
Many websites now rely on JavaScript to load content, which basic web scrapers can’t handle. ImportFromWeb solves this by using a real browser behind the scenes to scrape complex pages. You can find all the details on how you can enable Javascript rendering in the =IMPORTFROMWEB() formula on the following link.
Location based content scraping
ImportFromWeb can retrieve location-based data simulating country-based IP addresses. It can be useful in some cases like an e-commerce website that adapts its prices based on your location. You can find all the details on how to use the location based scraping in the =IMPORTFROMWEB() formula on the following link.
Automated updates
ImportFromWeb allows you to schedule the =IMPORTFROMWEB() formula to be executed at defined intervals (like every day or week). This way you’re able to build spreadsheet reports that help you monitor webdata frequently updated (such as prices or ratings on an e-commerce website). You can find more details on how you can schedule the formula on the following link.
Function monitoring
This feature gives you a full control over your data extraction. For each =IMPORTFROMWEB() formula, you are informed about the scraping status, you can view the metadata, access the source page (i.e. the webpage as seen by the scraper) and troubleshoot any errors with ease. You can find more details on how you can monitor the formulas on the following link.
IP Rotation
ImportFromWeb uses premium proxy rotation to ensure pages load correctly every time, even when accessed from different IP addresses. This powerful mechanism helps bypass restrictions and improves reliability when scraping complex or protected websites.
Auto-refresh
Whenever the webpage has not been fetched, the =IMPORTFROMWEB() formula will automatically refresh up to 6 times, so you don’t have to relaunch the function manually.
Number formatting
Start working with clean, formatted data right after extraction. The =IMPORTFROMWEB() formula automatically applies number formatting, including currency, dates, and times, so you’re ready to analyze instantly. If needed, you can find more options on how you can format the data on the following link.
=IMPORTFROMWEB() formula VS ImportFromWeb task manager
The =IMPORTFROMWEB() formula is a powerful and user-friendly tool for extracting real-time data from websites directly into Google Sheets. While it’s great for quick and simple tasks, it has key limitations: formulas reload constantly, scraping is relatively slow, it struggles with large volumes of data, and it doesn’t store any historical information for future analysis.
To overcome these challenges, you’d rather use the ImportFromWeb Task Manager (LINK LINK LINK). Here’s what you can expect with the ImportFromWeb task manager:
- ✅ No more reloading issues: Data is stored and delivered statically, not triggered by formulas.
- 🚀 Faster performance: Scraping is significantly quicker, even for complex pages.
- 📊 Handles large datasets: Designed to efficiently manage hundreds or thousands of URLs.
- 🕓 Automated scheduling: Set tasks to refresh data at defined intervals.
- 🗃️ Full data history: All scraped data is saved, enabling trend analysis and historical tracking.
- 📥 Simplified workflow: Set up once, and receive structured data directly in your sheets — no manual triggering required.