Creating and opening spreadsheets in Google Sheets - Complete Walkthrough

Introduction

This feature helps you start a new spreadsheet or open an existing one in Google Sheets. It solves the problem of organizing your data by giving you a fresh sheet or access to your saved work.

When you want to start tracking your monthly expenses in a new sheet

When you need to create a list of contacts for a party

When you want to open a shared spreadsheet sent by a colleague

When you want to update your budget spreadsheet saved in Google Drive

When you want to create a new project plan from scratch

Steps

Step 1: Click

- Google Sheets homepage (sheets.google.com)

The main page shows options to create or open spreadsheets

Step 2: Click

- Blank button with a plus sign (+) labeled 'Blank'

A new empty spreadsheet opens in a new tab

Step 3: Click

- File menu in the top-left corner

A dropdown menu appears with file options

Step 4: Select

- 'Open' option in the File menu

The Open file dialog appears showing recent files and options to browse

Step 5: Click

- 'My Drive' tab in the Open dialog

Your Google Drive files appear for selection

Step 6: Click

- The spreadsheet file you want to open

The selected spreadsheet opens in a new tab

Before vs After

Before

Google Sheets homepage showing 'Start a new spreadsheet' and recent files

After

A new blank spreadsheet or the selected existing spreadsheet opens in a new tab

Settings Reference

Create new spreadsheet

📍 Google Sheets homepage

Start a new spreadsheet either empty or based on a template

Default: Blank

Open spreadsheet

📍 File menu > Open

Choose where to find the spreadsheet you want to open

Default: Recent files

Common Mistakes

Trying to open a spreadsheet by typing its name in the browser address bar

Google Sheets URLs are unique and cannot be guessed by file name

Use the Open dialog or Google Drive to find and open the spreadsheet

Clicking 'New' in Google Drive but not selecting 'Google Sheets'

This creates a new file of a different type, not a spreadsheet

Click 'New' then select 'Google Sheets' to create a spreadsheet

Summary

You can create a new spreadsheet from the Google Sheets homepage by clicking 'Blank'.

You open existing spreadsheets using the File menu's Open option or from Google Drive.

Always use the Open dialog to find your files instead of guessing URLs.