Read Data
Load data from Google Sheets spreadsheets for use in your workflows.
Read Data retrieves data from your Google Sheets spreadsheets, making it available for processing in other workflow nodes. Essential for pulling existing data, reference lists, or configuration settings into your automation workflows.
Inputs
| Field | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spreadsheet URL/ID | Text | Yes | Google Sheets document link or ID |
| Working Sheet | Select | Yes | Which sheet tab to read from |
| Load All Data | Switch | Yes | Read entire sheet or specify range/cell |
| Selection Type | Select | Yes* | Choose Range or Cell (*Required when not loading all data) |
| Range | Text | Yes* | Cell range to read (e.g., A1:B10) (*Required for Range selection) |
| Cell | Text | Yes* | Single cell to read (e.g., A1) (*Required for Cell selection) |
| Value Rendering | Select | No | How to format the retrieved values |
How It Works
This node connects to your Google Sheets and extracts data based on your specifications. The data becomes available for use in subsequent workflow nodes like text replacement, data analysis, or chart creation.
Data Selection Options
Load All Data (Recommended):
- Retrieves everything from the selected sheet
- Automatically includes headers and all rows
- Perfect for complete data processing
Specific Range:
- Target exact cell ranges (e.g., A1:C50)
- Useful for structured data sections
- Supports column ranges (A:C) or row ranges
Single Cell:
- Read individual cell values
- Great for configuration settings or single metrics
- Returns the specific cell content
Range Format Examples
| Format | Description | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| A1:B10 | Cells A1 through B10 | Specific data table |
| A:A | Entire column A | Single column data |
| A:C | Columns A through C | Multi-column data |
| A5:D20 | Rectangle of cells | Data subset |
Value Rendering Options
Unformatted Values (Default):
- Raw data as stored in Google Sheets
- Numbers without formatting (1000 not $1,000)
- Best for data processing and calculations
Formatted Values:
- Data as displayed in Google Sheets UI
- Includes currency symbols, percentage signs
- Good for presentation-ready content
Formulas:
- Returns the actual formulas instead of calculated values
- Shows =SUM(A1:A10) instead of the result
- Useful for formula analysis or copying
Configuration Examples
Read Complete Sheet
Scenario: Import all data from a marketing metrics sheet
Configuration:
- Spreadsheet URL/ID: Your Google Sheets link
- Working Sheet: “Marketing Metrics”
- Load All Data: On
Result: All data from the sheet becomes available for processing.
Read Campaign Data Range
Scenario: Get specific campaign performance data
Configuration:
- Load All Data: Off
- Selection Type: “Range”
- Range: “A1:E50”
- Value Rendering: “Unformatted Values”
Result: Rows 1-50 of columns A-E are loaded for analysis.
Read Configuration Value
Scenario: Get a single setting or metric
Configuration:
- Load All Data: Off
- Selection Type: “Cell”
- Cell: “B2”
- Value Rendering: “Formatted Values”
Result: Single cell value retrieved for use in workflow.
Best Practices
Sheet Organization
- Use consistent headers in row 1 for easy data processing
- Keep data types consistent within columns
- Avoid merged cells in data ranges for better processing
- Use descriptive sheet names for easy identification
Range Selection
- Start with Load All Data for initial setup and testing
- Use specific ranges for performance optimization
- Include headers when selecting ranges for data context
- Test ranges with sample data before automation
Data Quality
- Clean your data before reading (remove extra spaces, formatting)
- Use consistent date formats across your sheets
- Avoid special characters that might cause processing issues
- Keep numeric data as numbers, not text
Credit Cost
Free to use - no credits required.
FAQ
What's the difference between loading all data vs. specific ranges?
What's the difference between loading all data vs. specific ranges?
Load All Data gets everything from the sheet automatically - headers, all rows, all columns. Specific ranges let you target exact sections, which is faster for large sheets and gives you precise control over what data you retrieve.
How do I find the right range for my data?
How do I find the right range for my data?
Look at your Google Sheets directly. Column letters are at the top (A, B, C…), row numbers on the left (1, 2, 3…). If your data is in columns A-D and rows 1-100, use “A1:D100”. For entire columns, use “A:D”.
Which value rendering option should I use?
Which value rendering option should I use?
Use Unformatted Values for data processing - calculations, analysis, sending to other systems. Use Formatted Values when the data will be displayed to people exactly as it appears in Google Sheets.
Can I read from multiple sheets at once?
Can I read from multiple sheets at once?
No, each Read Data node reads from one sheet at a time. To read from multiple sheets, use multiple Read Data nodes in your workflow, each targeting a different sheet tab.
What happens if my range doesn't exist or is empty?
What happens if my range doesn't exist or is empty?
The node will return an error if the range is invalid (like Z999:AA1000 on a small sheet). Empty ranges return no data but don’t cause errors. Always verify your ranges match your actual data.
How do I handle sheets with changing data sizes?
How do I handle sheets with changing data sizes?
Use column ranges like A:C instead of fixed ranges like A1:C100. Column ranges automatically adjust to include all data in those columns, regardless of how many rows you have.
Do formulas in my sheet affect the data I read?
Do formulas in my sheet affect the data I read?
By default, you get calculated values from formulas. If cell A1 contains =B1+C1 and equals 10, you’ll read “10”. Choose “Formulas” in Value Rendering if you want the actual formula text instead.