How do I add a script to a Google Sheet to automatically take data from an XLSX file on Google Drive? - excel

Question

I'm trying to automatically update a Google Sheet from a separate XLSX file, since the XLSX file gets regularly updated, but I need to do some data cleaning. I tried doing a query and importrange neither of which can get data from an xlsx file.
It seems like I need to write a script on the Google Sheet to automatically take the data from the xlsx. Where do I add this, and how would I go about getting started? I have access to both files, so permissions shouldn't be an issue.

Answer 1

Suggestion: Temporarily Convert the Excel File to Google Sheets File to Extract Data
Unfortunately, there is no direct way to extract data from Excel files to Google Sheets using Google Apps Script. As a workaround, you need to first convert your excel file to Google Sheets and then extract the data from the converted file to your output Google Sheets file. You may use the following script as a basis for yours:
function importData() {
var xlsxName = "Test 1.xlsx"; //Change source file name accordingly
var convertID = convert(xlsxName).toString();
var xLSX = SpreadsheetApp.openById(convertID).getSheetByName("Input");
var ss = SpreadsheetApp.openById("<output Sheet ID>").getSheetByName("Output"); //Change output sheet ID
var lastColumn = xLSX.getLastColumn();
var lastRow = xLSX.getLastRow();
ss.getRange(1, 1, lastRow, lastColumn).setValues(xLSX.getDataRange().getValues()); //Sets values from converted xlsx data to output sheet
DriveApp.getFileById(convertID).setTrashed(true); //deletes temporary file
}
function convert(excelFileName) {
var files = DriveApp.getFilesByName(excelFileName);
var excelFile = (files.hasNext()) ? files.next() : null;
var blob = excelFile.getBlob();
var config = {
title: "[Converted File] " + excelFile.getName(), //sets the title of the converted file
parents: [{ id: excelFile.getParents().next().getId() }],
mimeType: MimeType.GOOGLE_SHEETS
};
var spreadsheet = Drive.Files.insert(config, blob);
return (spreadsheet.id); //Returns the ID of the converted file
}
This script involves:
Converting the Excel file to a temporary Google Sheets file.
Importing the data from the temporary Google Sheets file to the desired/output Google Sheets file.
Deleting the temporary Google Sheets file.
NOTE:
Expect a longer runtime when applying this script to a bigger excel file.
You may modify the script to be suitable for your current issue.
The script should be added to your desired output Google Sheets.
Do not forget to add the Drive API service to your script.
Sample Test Case:
Input:
Expected Output: