Google Sheets API Overview

The Google Sheets API is a RESTful interface that lets you read and modify a spreadsheet's data. The Sheets API lets you:

  • Create spreadsheets
  • Read and write spreadsheet cell values
  • Update spreadsheet formatting
  • Manage Connected Sheets

The following is a list of common terms used in the Sheets API:

Spreadsheet

The primary object in Google Sheets. It can contain multiple Sheets, each with structured information contained in Cells. The spreadsheets resource represents a spreadsheet. It contains a unique spreadsheetId value.

Spreadsheet ID
The unique identifier for a spreadsheet. It's a particular string containing letters, numbers, and some special characters that reference a spreadsheet and it can be derived from the spreadsheet's URL. Spreadsheet IDs are stable, even if the spreadsheet name changes.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/SPREADSHEET_ID/edit?gid=SHEET_ID#gid=SHEET_ID
Sheet

A page or tab within a spreadsheet. The Sheets resource represents a sheet. It contains a unique numeric sheetId value and sheet title as part of the SheetProperties object.

Sheet ID
The unique identifier for a specific sheet within a spreadsheet. It's a particular string containing letters, numbers, and some special characters that reference a sheet and it can be derived from the spreadsheet's URL. Sheet IDs are stable, even if the sheet name changes. For an example, see Spreadsheet ID.
Cell

An individual field of text or data within a sheet. Cells are arranged in rows and columns, and can be grouped as a range of cells. The Cells resource represents each cell, but it doesn't have a unique ID value. Instead, row and column coordinates identify the cells.

A1 notation
A syntax used to define a cell or range of cells with a string that contains the sheet name plus the starting and ending cell coordinates using column letters and row numbers. This method is the most common and useful when referencing an absolute range of cells.

Show examples

  • Sheet1!A1:B2 refers to all the cells in the first two rows and columns of Sheet1.
  • Sheet1!A:A refers to all the cells in the first column of Sheet1.
  • Sheet1!1:2 refers to all the cells in the first two rows of Sheet1.
  • Sheet1!A5:A refers to all the cells of the first column of Sheet 1, from row 5 onward.
  • A1:B2 refers to all the cells in the first two rows and columns of the first visible sheet.
  • Sheet1 refers to all the cells in Sheet1.
  • 'Jon's_Data'!A1:D5 refers to all the cells in the first five rows and four columns of a sheet named "Jon's_Data."
  • 'My Custom Sheet'!A:A refers to all the cells in the first column of a sheet named "My Custom Sheet."
  • 'My Custom Sheet' refers to all the cells in "My Custom Sheet".

Single quotes are required for sheet names with spaces, special characters, or an alphanumeric combination.

Tip: Where possible, use distinct names for objects in your spreadsheets. For example, A1 (without quotes) refers to cell A1 in the first visible sheet. 'A1' refers to a sheet with name A1. Similarly, Sheet1 refers to a sheet with name Sheet1. However, if there's a named range titled "Sheet1", then Sheet1 refers to the named range and 'Sheet1' refers to the sheet.
R1C1 notation
A syntax used to define a cell or range of cells with a string that contains the sheet name plus the starting and ending cell coordinates using row numbers and column numbers. This method is less common than A1 notation, but can be useful when referencing a range of cells relative to a given cell's position.

Show examples

  • Sheet1!R1C1:R2C2 refers to the first two cells in the top two rows of Sheet1.
  • R1C1:R2C2 refers to the first two cells in the top two rows of the first visible sheet.
  • Sheet1!R[3]C[1] refers to the cell that is three rows below and one column to the right of the current cell.
Named range
A defined cell or range of cells with a custom name to simplify references throughout an application. A FilterView resource represents a named range.
Protected range
A defined cell or range of cells that cannot be modified. A ProtectedRange resource represents a protected range.