How to Import Excel Files in Looker Studio

If you are working on various digital marketing channels and analyzing a lot of data, then you're likely to be dealing with Microsoft Excel every day. Though Excel on its own is a great reporting tool, you might be missing out on other data sources that you cannot input into one Excel sheet. This is how connecting Excel to Looker Studio can help. Through Looker Studio, you can bring data into your report from almost any source without needing a specific connector. As such, you can create a report with a fully customizable dashboard that allows you to unify all your data sources. This easy, step-by-step guide will show you how to import Excel files in Looker Studio!

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How to Import Excel Files in Looker Studio

➡️ Login to Looker Studio

• For a fresh start: Click "Blank Report" to create a new Looker Studio report

• For existing report: Open your report

For New Looker Studio Reports

1. Select "File Upload"

2. Select "CLICK TO UPLOAD FILES"

3. Choose your file

   • ⚠️ Important: File must be CSV UTF-8 (Comma Delimited)

   • Select and upload your file

   • If upload fails, check if your file is saved as CSV UTF-8

4. Click "ADD FILES"

   
   
   
   

For Existing Looker Studio Reports

1. Click on any chart or element in your report

2. Navigate to "Data Source" under the SET-UP menu (right-hand-side)

3. Click on the Data Source and select "Add Data"

4. Follow the same upload steps as above to connect your data

Optional: Fix Your Data Types

Want to make sure your data shows up correctly? Here's how:

1. Find the pen symbol (✏️) next to your data source

2. Click it to see all your data fields

3. Check if each field has the right data type:

   • Text fields (like "channel"): Should be "Text"

   • Numbers (like "clicks"): Should be "Number"

   • Money amounts: Should be "Currency"

   • Percentages (like "CTR"): Should be "Percentage"

4. To change any type:

   • Click the dropdown menu next to the field

   • Select the correct type

Frequently Asked Questions on Importing Excel Files in Looker Studio

📑 My Excel file has multiple sheets - what should I do?

You have three options:

1. Pick just one sheet to import

2. Create a new file with just the sheet you need

3. Combine all important data into one sheet

   
   
   
   
   
   

🔢 Can I use Excel formulas in Looker Studio?

No, Excel formulas won't work in Looker Studio. Instead:

• Do your calculations in Excel first, OR

• Use Looker Studio's own calculation tools:

  1. Click on your data source

  2. Click "Add a Field"

  3. Create your calculation there

⚠️ What are the limits when using Excel files?

Be aware of these limitations:

• File size restrictions

• Row and column limits

• Slower loading with big files

• Manual updates needed when Excel data changes

• No Excel formulas supported

💡 Tips for better performance:

• Keep files small and focused

• Split large datasets if needed

• Do complex calculations in Excel first

• Only import the data you really need