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How do I connect to spreadsheet data?

Updated

Set up a connection between Klipfolio Klips and your spreadsheet data to create custom data sources. Then, use them to power your custom Klips.

Before connecting to your spreadsheet data

Here are some important things to note before connecting to your spreadsheet data:

  • Google Sheets: Soon we'll be adding official support for Google Sheet formulas. Until then, some Google Sheet functions, such as ARRAYFORMULA, are not supported. If your Google Sheet includes unsupported formulas, and you import it into Klipfolio, the associated cells will be empty. If this happens, you can work around the issue by running your Google Sheet through Excel (which converts the data to use Excel functions) and then resaving it as a Google Sheet before importing it into Klipfolio.
  • Sheet name: After you've successfully connected your spreadsheet with Klipfolio, do not change the sheet name. If you change your sheet name and re-upload the spreadsheet, Klips will continue to look for data using the old sheet name, and as a result, your formulas will break.
  • Pivot tables: We recommend using Excel without pivot tables. Excel pivot tables may not work and are not supported by Klipfolio.
  • Unsupported formats: Financial and Scientific formats are not supported by Klipfolio. If your Excel file includes these formats, remove them before uploading your file.
  • Unsupported Excel features: Excel software features such as worksheet links and macros are not supported. Some Excel functions are not supported and may be removed on import.

Best practices and tips

Here are a few best practices and tips to follow when creating spreadsheet data sources.

Selecting data in the Klip Editor to enable automatic updates

Selecting data using the column or row header allows you to assign an unlimited range of values to your custom Klip (ex: A:A, or 1:1). This method tells the Klip to use all values in that column or row. If new values are added to that range, they will automatically be included in the Klip.

For example, you select column B, and the values in the spreadsheet are "Age, 4, 45, 84, 50, 23". Let's say the spreadsheet data is updated, and the values in B:B are now "Age, 4, 45, 84, 50, 23, 60", all values including the additional values will be used in your Klip.

To make a range selection, click on the column or row header with your mouse, as shown below.

Removing column titles from your data

You can remove the column title from your data selection by excluding that row. This action can be completed in the Klip Editor, by using the Filter action and selecting Exclude (as shown below). This will exclude the title from your list of data.

Selecting multiple sheets

If your spreadsheet has multiple sheets associated with it, you can use the sheet selection menu to select specific sheets when modelling the data source or in the Klip Editor.

Manipulating data using formulas and functions

In the Klip Editor or in the modeller, you can manipulate your data using math operators, formulas and functions.  Check out these tips for using the formula bar to learn more.

Learn more

The following links will take you to detailed articles on connecting to data for specific file types:

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