Refresh Sheets Chart
Force refresh embedded Google Sheets charts in your presentation to display the latest data.
Refresh Sheets Chart automatically clicks the refresh button on embedded Google Sheets charts in your presentations, updating them with the latest data from your spreadsheets. Eliminates the need to manually visit each presentation and click refresh buttons on individual charts.
Inputs
| Field | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Presentation URL/ID | Text | Yes | Google Slides presentation link or ID |
| Refresh Type | Select | Yes | Choose to refresh all charts or specific charts |
| Identifier Type | Select | Yes | How to identify charts (Chart ID or Alt Text) |
| Chart Identifiers | Text List | Yes* | IDs or alt texts of charts to refresh (*Required when refreshing specific charts) |
| Slide Number | Number | No | Specific slide to refresh charts on (leave empty for all slides) |
How It Works
This node automatically clicks the refresh button that appears on embedded Google Sheets charts when their source data changes. Instead of manually opening each presentation and clicking refresh buttons, this automation handles it for you.
How Google Slides Charts Work
When you embed a Google Sheets chart in Slides:
- Chart displays the data from when it was first embedded
- When source data in Sheets changes, a refresh button appears on the chart in Slides
- You must click the refresh button manually to update the chart with new data
- This node automates that clicking for you
Refresh Options
Refresh All Charts:
- Clicks refresh button on every embedded chart in the presentation
- No need to specify individual chart identifiers
- Perfect for updating entire presentations automatically
Refresh Specific Charts:
- Target individual charts by Chart ID or Alt Text
- More control over which charts get updated
- Ideal for selective updates in complex presentations
When to Use Refresh Charts
Avoid Manual Clicking
Problem: You’ve updated data in Google Sheets, but now every chart in your presentation shows a refresh button that you need to click manually.
Solution: Use this node to automatically click all refresh buttons for you.
Workflow:
- Update data in Google Sheets (via automation or manual entry)
- Refresh Sheets Chart automatically clicks refresh buttons
- Present with current data without manual intervention
Automated Report Updates
Scenario: Weekly sales presentations where data updates every Monday
Setup: Automated workflow runs every Monday:
- Get fresh data from your sales platform
- Update Google Sheets with new numbers
- Refresh all charts in the presentation automatically
- Send updated presentation to stakeholders
Without this node: You’d need to open every presentation manually and click refresh buttons on every chart.
Configuration Examples
Refresh All Charts (Simple)
Scenario: Monthly report with multiple charts that all need updating
Configuration:
- Refresh Type: “Refresh all charts in presentation”
- Chart Identifiers: Leave empty (not required)
- Slide Number: Leave empty (all slides)
Result: Every embedded chart in the presentation updates with latest data automatically - no manual clicking required.
Refresh Specific Charts by Alt Text
Scenario: Executive dashboard where you only want to update revenue charts, not the static organizational chart
Configuration:
- Refresh Type: “Refresh specific charts”
- Identifier Type: “Alt Text”
- Chart Identifiers:
- “revenue_trend_chart”
- “monthly_revenue_chart”
- “quarterly_revenue_chart”
Result: Only the revenue-related charts update, leaving other charts unchanged.
Refresh by Chart ID (Automation)
Scenario: Automated workflow where you get chart IDs from a previous Google Sheets Get Chart node
Configuration:
- Refresh Type: “Refresh specific charts”
- Identifier Type: “Chart ID”
- Chart Identifiers: Connect from previous node output
- Slide Number: 3 (only refresh charts on slide 3)
Best Practices
Workflow Integration
Always refresh after data updates:
Eliminate manual work:
Timing Considerations
- Refresh after updating data in Google Sheets to sync presentations
- Use in scheduled workflows for regular report updates
- Refresh before sharing presentations to ensure current data
- Automate to avoid manual clicking on refresh buttons
Alt Text Strategy
- Set descriptive alt text on charts for easy identification
- Use consistent naming like “monthly_sales_chart” across presentations
- Group related charts with similar alt text patterns for batch updates
Refresh vs Manual Clicking
How Google Slides Charts Actually Work
- Charts don’t auto-update when source data changes in Google Sheets
- A refresh button appears on each chart when data changes
- You must click each refresh button manually to update the chart
- This is tedious when you have multiple charts or presentations
Why Use This Node
- Automates the clicking of refresh buttons for you
- Saves time especially with multiple charts or presentations
- Perfect for scheduled workflows where manual clicking isn’t practical
- Ensures charts are always current without manual intervention
Credit Cost
Free to use - no credits required.
FAQ
Why don't my charts update automatically when I change data in Google Sheets?
Why don't my charts update automatically when I change data in Google Sheets?
Google Slides charts don’t auto-update. When you change data in the source Google Sheets, a refresh button appears on the chart in Slides. You must click this button manually to see the updated data. This node automates that clicking for you.
What exactly does this node do?
What exactly does this node do?
It automatically clicks refresh buttons on embedded charts in your presentation. When your Google Sheets data changes, charts in Slides show a refresh button. Instead of opening each presentation and clicking these buttons manually, this node does it for you automatically.
What's the difference between Chart ID and Alt Text identification?
What's the difference between Chart ID and Alt Text identification?
Chart ID is more precise but harder to work with manually. Alt Text is user-friendly and perfect for templates where you’ll refresh the same charts repeatedly. Use Alt Text for most marketing workflows.
How do I know if my charts actually refreshed?
How do I know if my charts actually refreshed?
Look for data changes in the charts themselves. If the underlying Google Sheets data has changed, you should see those changes reflected immediately after running this node. The refresh button on the chart will also disappear.
Can I refresh charts that were added manually (not through automation)?
Can I refresh charts that were added manually (not through automation)?
Yes! This node works with any embedded Google Sheets chart in your presentation, whether it was added manually through copy/paste with linking or through the Add Sheets Chart node. As long as there’s a refresh button to click, this node can click it.
What happens if I try to refresh a chart that doesn't exist?
What happens if I try to refresh a chart that doesn't exist?
The node will skip missing charts without stopping the workflow. You’ll get an error message for any charts that couldn’t be found, but other valid charts will still refresh successfully.
Should I refresh charts on specific slides or all slides?
Should I refresh charts on specific slides or all slides?
Use specific slides when you have large presentations with many charts but only need to update certain sections. Use all slides for comprehensive updates or when you’re not sure which slides contain the charts you want to refresh.
How often should I refresh charts in automated workflows?
How often should I refresh charts in automated workflows?
Refresh whenever your source data changes. For daily reports, refresh once per day after data collection. For real-time dashboards, refresh after each data update. Since you’re automating the manual clicking, there’s no practical limit on refresh frequency.
If I use the Add Sheets Chart node, do I need to use Refresh Sheets Chart too?
If I use the Add Sheets Chart node, do I need to use Refresh Sheets Chart too?
No, you don’t need to refresh after adding charts. The Add Sheets Chart node inserts charts with the latest data automatically.
When to use Add Sheets Chart:
- First time adding a chart to a presentation
- Replacing placeholder elements with charts
- Using a template where charts are not yet embedded
When to use Refresh Sheets Chart:
- Charts already exist in your presentation
- Source data in Google Sheets has changed since charts were added
- You need to update existing embedded charts with new data
Key difference: Add Sheets Chart creates new chart elements with current data. Refresh Sheets Chart updates existing chart elements by clicking their refresh buttons.