Google Sheets Automation

Google Sheets

Selective Reading Rule

Start with:

• references/senior-master-standard.md
• references/usage-routing.md
• references/quality-checklist.md

Then load only the inherited docs, scripts, assets, or examples that match the user's actual task.

Lightweight Google Sheets integration with standalone OAuth authentication. No MCP server required. Full read/write access.

Requires Google Workspace account. Personal Gmail accounts are not supported.

First-Time Setup

Authenticate with Google (opens browser):

python scripts/auth.py login

Check authentication status:

python scripts/auth.py status

Logout when needed:

python scripts/auth.py logout

Read Commands

All operations via scripts/sheets.py. Auto-authenticates on first use if not logged in.

# Get spreadsheet content as plain text (default)
python scripts/sheets.py get-text SPREADSHEET_ID

# Get spreadsheet content as CSV
python scripts/sheets.py get-text SPREADSHEET_ID --format csv

# Get spreadsheet content as JSON
python scripts/sheets.py get-text SPREADSHEET_ID --format json

# Get values from a specific range (A1 notation)
python scripts/sheets.py get-range SPREADSHEET_ID "Sheet1!A1:D10"
python scripts/sheets.py get-range SPREADSHEET_ID "A1:C5"

# Find spreadsheets by search query
python scripts/sheets.py find "budget 2024"
python scripts/sheets.py find "sales report" --limit 5

# Get spreadsheet metadata (sheets, dimensions, etc.)
python scripts/sheets.py get-metadata SPREADSHEET_ID

Write Commands

# Update a range of cells with values (JSON 2D array)
python scripts/sheets.py update-range SPREADSHEET_ID "Sheet1!A1:B2" '[["Hello","World"],["Foo","Bar"]]'

# Update with RAW input (no formula parsing, treats everything as literal text)
python scripts/sheets.py update-range SPREADSHEET_ID "Sheet1!A1:B1" '[["=SUM(A1:A5)","text"]]' --raw

# Append rows after the last data row
python scripts/sheets.py append-rows SPREADSHEET_ID "Sheet1!A:Z" '[["New Row Col A","New Row Col B"]]'

# Clear values from a range (keeps formatting)
python scripts/sheets.py clear-range SPREADSHEET_ID "Sheet1!A1:B10"

# Batch update (advanced - for formatting, merging, etc.)
python scripts/sheets.py batch-update SPREADSHEET_ID '[{"updateCells":{"range":{"sheetId":0},"fields":"userEnteredValue"}}]'

Spreadsheet ID

You can use either:

• The spreadsheet ID: 1BxiMVs0XRA5nFMdKvBdBZjgmUUqptlbs74OgvE2upms
• The full URL: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1BxiMVs0XRA5nFMdKvBdBZjgmUUqptlbs74OgvE2upms/edit

The script automatically extracts the ID from URLs.

Output Formats

Text (default)

Human-readable format with pipe separators:

Spreadsheet Title: Sales Data
Sheet Name: Q1
Name | Revenue | Units
Product A | 10000 | 50
Product B | 15000 | 75

CSV

Standard CSV format, suitable for further processing:

Name,Revenue,Units
Product A,10000,50
Product B,15000,75

JSON

Structured data format:

{
  "Q1": [
    ["Name", "Revenue", "Units"],
    ["Product A", "10000", "50"]
  ]
}

A1 Notation Examples

• Sheet1!A1:B10 - Range A1 to B10 on Sheet1
• Sheet1!A:A - All of column A on Sheet1
• Sheet1!1:1 - All of row 1 on Sheet1
• A1:C5 - Range on the first sheet

Value Input Options

• USER_ENTERED (default): Values are parsed as if typed by a user. Numbers, dates, and formulas are interpreted.
• RAW (--raw flag): Values are stored exactly as provided. No parsing of formulas or number formatting.

Token Management

Tokens stored securely using the system keyring:

• macOS: Keychain
• Windows: Windows Credential Locker
• Linux: Secret Service API (GNOME Keyring, KDE Wallet, etc.)

Service name: google-sheets-skill-oauth

Tokens automatically refresh when expired using Google's cloud function.

When to Use

Use this skill when tackling tasks related to its primary domain or functionality as described above.

Limitations

• Use this skill only when the task clearly matches the scope described above.
• Do not treat the output as a substitute for environment-specific validation, testing, or expert review.
• Stop and ask for clarification if required inputs, permissions, safety boundaries, or success criteria are missing.