Add Sheets Chart
Insert Google Sheets charts into Google Slides presentations with automatic data updates.
Add Sheets Chart replaces elements in your Google Slides presentations with live charts from Google Sheets. Commonly paired with the Google Sheets Get Chart node for fully automated chart insertion workflows. Perfect for creating dynamic reports where charts automatically reflect the latest data from your spreadsheets.
Inputs
| Field | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Presentation URL/ID | Text | Yes | Google Slides presentation link or ID |
| Alt Text | Text | Yes | Alt text of the element to replace with the chart |
| Slide Number | Number | No | Specific slide to update (leave empty for all slides) |
| Spreadsheet ID | Text | Yes | ID of the Google Sheets containing the chart |
| Sheet ID | Text | Yes | ID of the specific worksheet with the chart |
| Chart ID | Text | Yes | ID of the chart to insert |
How It Works
This node replaces any element (shape, image, text box) in your slides with a chart from Google Sheets. The chart maintains a live connection to your spreadsheet data.
Finding Elements to Replace
Uses Alt Text only - Right-click on any element in Google Slides → Select “Alt text” → Set a descriptive name like “monthly_sales_chart”.
Why Alt Text? Charts are typically permanent elements in templates that you’ll update repeatedly with fresh data. Alt text ensures you can target the same chart placeholder every time.
Getting Chart Information
You have two options to get the required chart details:
Option 1: Use Get Chart Node (Recommended)
Perfect for automated workflows - See Get Chart documentation
- Add Get Chart node before this one
- Connect the output - Chart ID, Sheet ID, and Spreadsheet ID flow automatically
- No manual copying of IDs needed
- Fully automated chart retrieval and insertion
Option 2: Manual Chart ID Collection
For one-time setups
- Open your Google Sheets with the chart
- Click the chart to select it
- Look at the URL - it will contain the chart ID
- Copy the spreadsheet ID from the sheets URL
- Find sheet ID in the sheet tab (right-click → “Get sheet ID”)
Complete Workflow Example
Automated Monthly Report Setup
Workflow:
- Get Report from Google Ads → Google Sheets
- Get Chart to find your pre-made chart
- Add Sheets Chart to insert it into your presentation
Setup:
- Create a chart in Google Sheets with your desired styling
- Set alt text “monthly_performance_chart” on placeholder in slides
- Add descriptive alt text to the chart in Sheets for easy finding
Result: Your presentation automatically updates with the latest chart data every month.
Example Configurations
Single Chart Update
Scenario: Monthly sales report with one chart
Google Sheets Setup:
- Chart alt text: “sales_trend_chart”
- Chart shows monthly sales data
Slides Setup:
- Placeholder element alt text: “sales_chart_placeholder”
Configuration:
- Alt Text: “sales_chart_placeholder”
- Chart details: From Get Chart output
Multiple Charts Dashboard
Scenario: Executive dashboard with multiple charts
Workflow: Use multiple Add Sheets Chart nodes for different charts:
- Revenue chart → “revenue_chart_placeholder”
- Conversion chart → “conversion_chart_placeholder”
- Traffic chart → “traffic_chart_placeholder”
Chart Requirements
Google Sheets Chart Setup
- Chart must exist in the specified Google Sheets
- Chart should be properly formatted (titles, labels, colors)
- Alt text recommended for easy identification with Get Chart node
Google Slides Element Setup
- Create placeholder element (shape, text box, chart, image)
- Set alt text with descriptive name
- Size and position the placeholder where you want the chart
- Element will be completely replaced with the chart
Live Data Connection
Automatic Updates
- Charts stay connected to the original Google Sheets data
- Data changes in Sheets automatically reflect in the embedded chart
- Formatting and styling from the original chart is preserved
Manual Refresh
- Use Refresh Sheets Chart node to force updates
- Useful when you want to control exactly when charts update
- Required for some data sources that don’t auto-refresh
Credit Cost
Free to use - no credits required.
FAQ
What's the easiest way to get Chart IDs?
What's the easiest way to get Chart IDs?
Use the Get Chart node before this one. It automatically finds charts by alt text and provides all the required IDs. Much easier than manually copying IDs from URLs. This is the recommended approach for all automated workflows.
How do I prepare charts in Google Sheets?
How do I prepare charts in Google Sheets?
- Create your chart with proper titles, labels, and styling
- Set a dynamic data range that will include new data
- Add alt text to the chart (click chart → 3 dots → Alt text)
- Use descriptive names like “monthly_sales_chart” for easy identification
Can I use the same chart in multiple presentations?
Can I use the same chart in multiple presentations?
Yes! The same Google Sheets chart can be embedded in multiple slides and presentations. Each embedding maintains its own connection to the source data.
What happens to the original element in Slides?
What happens to the original element in Slides?
The placeholder element (shape, text box, etc.) is completely replaced with the chart. Make sure to size and position your placeholder element exactly where you want the chart to appear.
How often do embedded charts update?
How often do embedded charts update?
Charts typically update automatically when the underlying Sheets data changes. For guaranteed updates, use the Refresh Sheets Chart node after updating your data.
Can I modify the chart styling after embedding?
Can I modify the chart styling after embedding?
No, embedded charts maintain the styling from the original Google Sheets chart. To change appearance, modify the chart in Google Sheets and refresh the embedded version.
What if the chart or element isn't found?
What if the chart or element isn't found?
Common issues:
- Alt text doesn’t match exactly
- Chart doesn’t exist in the specified sheet
- Element not found on the specified slide
Solutions:
- Check alt text spelling in both Sheets and Slides
- Verify chart exists and has correct alt text
- Use Get Chart to verify chart details
Why does my chart look unresponsive?
Why does my chart look unresponsive?
Problem: Charts inserted into placeholder shapes often don’t maintain proper aspect ratios and can appear squished or cropped.
Best Solution: Copy and paste charts directly from Google Sheets to Google Slides instead of using placeholder shapes:
- In Google Sheets: Select your chart → Copy (Ctrl/Cmd + C)
- In Google Slides: Paste (Ctrl/Cmd + V) → Choose “Link to spreadsheet”
- Set alt text on the pasted chart for future automation
Why this works better:
- Maintains original aspect ratio and proportions
- Preserves chart readability with proper scaling
- Automatically sizes appropriately for the slide
- Still works with automation when you add alt text
Avoid: Using shapes or text boxes as placeholders for charts - they force charts into fixed dimensions that rarely match the chart’s natural proportions.