IMPORTHTML for web tables in Google Sheets - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

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What does the IMPORTHTML function do in Google Sheets?

It imports data from a table or list on a web page directly into your spreadsheet.

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What are the required arguments for IMPORTHTML?

You need to provide: 1) The URL of the web page as text, 2) The query type as "table" or "list", and 3) The index number of the table or list on the page.

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How do you specify which table to import if a page has multiple tables?

Use the index number as the third argument. For example, 1 for the first table, 2 for the second, and so on.

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Example: =IMPORTHTML("https://example.com", "table", 1) - What does this do?

It imports the first table found on the web page at https://example.com into your sheet.

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What happens if IMPORTHTML cannot find the table or list you asked for?

It shows an error like #N/A or #REF! because it can't find the data to import.

Which argument in IMPORTHTML specifies the type of data to import?

A The query type ("table" or "list")

B The URL

C The index number

D The sheet name

The second argument tells IMPORTHTML whether to import a "table" or a "list" from the web page.

What does the index number in IMPORTHTML represent?

A The number of rows to import

B The number of columns to import

C Which table or list on the page to import

D The sheet tab number

The index number selects which table or list on the web page to import, starting at 1.

If a web page has 3 tables, how do you import the second one?

A =IMPORTHTML(URL, "list", 2)

B =IMPORTHTML(URL, "table", 2)

C =IMPORTHTML(URL, "table", 3)

D =IMPORTHTML(URL, "list", 1)

Use "table" as the query type and 2 as the index to import the second table.

What type of data can IMPORTHTML NOT import?

A Images

B Lists

C Tables

D Text inside tables

IMPORTHTML imports tables or lists but cannot import images.

What should you do if IMPORTHTML returns an error?

A Use a different spreadsheet program

B Change the sheet name

C Restart Google Sheets

D Check the URL and index number

Errors often happen if the URL is wrong or the index number does not match any table or list on the page.

Explain how to use IMPORTHTML to bring a web table into your Google Sheet.

Think about what each part of the formula means.

What are common reasons IMPORTHTML might fail to import data?

Consider what could go wrong with the web page or formula.