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.

Practice

1. What does creating a spreadsheet mean in Google Sheets?

easy

A. Sharing a file with others

B. Deleting an existing file

C. Printing a document

D. Starting a new file to enter data

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the meaning of creating a spreadsheet

   Creating means making a new file where you can add data.

2. Step 2: Compare options with the meaning

   Only Starting a new file to enter data matches starting a new file to enter data.

3. Final Answer:

   Starting a new file to enter data -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Creating spreadsheet = new file [OK]

Hint: Creating means making a new file, not editing or deleting [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing creating with opening an existing file
• Thinking creating means sharing or printing
• Mixing up deleting with creating

2. Which of these is the correct way to open an existing spreadsheet in Google Sheets?

easy

A. Click 'File' > 'New' > 'Spreadsheet'

B. Go to Google Drive and double-click the spreadsheet file

C. Type a formula to open the file

D. Use the 'Insert' menu to open a spreadsheet

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify how to open existing files

   Opening means accessing a file already saved, usually by clicking it in Google Drive.

2. Step 2: Check options for correct method

   Go to Google Drive and double-click the spreadsheet file correctly describes opening by double-clicking the file in Google Drive.

3. Final Answer:

   Go to Google Drive and double-click the spreadsheet file -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Open spreadsheet = double-click file in Drive [OK]

Hint: Open files by clicking them in Google Drive, not by formulas [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying to open files using formulas
• Confusing 'New' with opening existing files
• Looking for open option inside 'Insert' menu

3. You want to start a new spreadsheet in Google Sheets. Which action will open a blank spreadsheet ready for data entry?

medium

A. Click the '+ Blank' button on the Google Sheets homepage

B. Type =NEW() in any cell

C. Right-click a cell and select 'Open Spreadsheet'

D. Use the 'Format' menu to create a new sheet

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify how to create a new spreadsheet

   On Google Sheets homepage, the '+ Blank' button creates a new empty spreadsheet.

2. Step 2: Evaluate other options for correctness

   Options A, B, and C are incorrect because the 'Format' menu does not create new spreadsheets, formulas can't create files, and right-click doesn't open new files.

3. Final Answer:

   Click the '+ Blank' button on the Google Sheets homepage -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   New spreadsheet = '+ Blank' button [OK]

Hint: Use '+ Blank' button to start new spreadsheet, not formulas [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying to create files with formulas
• Looking for new file option in wrong menus
• Confusing sheet tabs with new spreadsheets

4. You tried to open a spreadsheet by typing =OPEN("MyFile") in a cell, but it shows an error. What is the problem?

medium

A. The file name must be in lowercase

B. You need to use the IMPORT formula instead

C. Google Sheets does not have an OPEN formula to open files

D. You must enable file opening in settings first

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand formula limitations in Google Sheets

   Google Sheets formulas cannot open or create files; they only work with data inside sheets.

2. Step 2: Analyze the error cause

   The formula =OPEN() does not exist, so it causes an error.

3. Final Answer:

   Google Sheets does not have an OPEN formula to open files -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   No OPEN formula exists in Google Sheets [OK]

Hint: Files open via interface, not formulas like =OPEN() [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming formulas can open files
• Trying to fix error by changing file name case
• Looking for settings to enable file opening by formula

5. You want to organize your work by creating a new spreadsheet and then sharing it with your team. What is the correct sequence of actions?

hard

A. Create a new spreadsheet via '+ Blank', then click 'Share' to add team emails

B. Open an existing spreadsheet, then use a formula to share it

C. Type =SHARE() in a cell after creating a spreadsheet

D. Create a new spreadsheet, then download and email it manually

Solution

1. Step 1: Create a new spreadsheet

   Use the '+ Blank' button on Google Sheets homepage to start a new file.

2. Step 2: Share the spreadsheet with your team

   Click the 'Share' button in the top-right corner and enter team members' emails.

3. Step 3: Evaluate other options

   Open an existing spreadsheet, then use a formula to share it is wrong because opening existing file is not creating new. Type =SHARE() in a cell after creating a spreadsheet is wrong because no SHARE formula exists. Create a new spreadsheet, then download and email it manually is possible but less efficient than direct sharing.

4. Final Answer:

   Create a new spreadsheet via '+ Blank', then click 'Share' to add team emails -> Option A

5. Quick Check:

   Create then Share = '+ Blank' then 'Share' button [OK]

Hint: Create new file first, then share via button, not formulas [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying to share using formulas
• Opening old files instead of creating new
• Downloading instead of sharing online