{"slug": "google-sheets-improves-excel-imports-with-native-tables-and-adds-connected-for", "title": "Google Sheets Improves Excel Imports With Native Tables and Adds Connected Sheets Upgrades for BigQuery", "summary": "Google is updating Google Sheets to convert Microsoft Excel tables directly into native Sheets tables and linked pivot tables into interactive pivot tables, with Excel table imports available now and pivot table support rolling out gradually. The update also adds list parameters and column aliasing to Connected Sheets for BigQuery, rolling out now to all Google Workspace customers and personal account users with Connected Sheets access.", "body_md": "# Google Sheets Improves Excel Imports With Native Tables and Adds Connected Sheets Upgrades for BigQuery\n\n[Google](https://www.ghacks.net/2026/05/04/google-considers-ads-in-gemini-app-after-testing-ad-format-in-ai-mode-first/) is updating Google Sheets to improve how Microsoft Excel files import and to add two new features for Connected Sheets users working with BigQuery.\n\nExcel tables now convert directly to native Sheets tables, and linked pivot tables import as interactive pivot tables instead of static grids. For Connected Sheets, Google is introducing list parameters and column aliasing to make BigQuery analysis easier.\n\nThese updates address common issues with converting spreadsheets and working with large datasets. Excel table imports are available now, while linked pivot table support is rolling out gradually.\n\n## Google Sheets Improves Excel Imports and BigQuery Tools\n\nPreviously, importing Excel files into Google Sheets often meant extra cleanup. Excel tables did not become native Sheets tables, so structural formatting was lost. Linked pivot tables also turned into static, uneditable grids.\n\nWith this update, Excel tables now import as native Sheets tables and keep their original formatting, sort controls, and structure. Pivot tables in Excel that use table ranges now come into Sheets as interactive pivot tables instead of flat, static data.\n\nThese changes mean imported spreadsheets are reThese changes let users work with imported spreadsheets right away, without having to rebuild tables or pivot structures. Table imports are available now.\n\nLinked pivot table support is rolling out gradually to all Workspace domains and personal Google accounts. Adding two features to Connected Sheets aimed at making database analysis more accessible to non-technical team members.\n\nList Parameters let users reference a whole range of cells as a single list parameter in BigQuery queries. This means power users or data admins can set up input sheets with drop-down menus or selection grids, so others can filter large database queries without editing SQL code.\n\nColumn Aliasing lets users create easier-to-read column names directly in Connected Sheets. Database columns are often hard to read or use technical names. Aliasing lets users rename them for a wider audience without changing database references or breaking formulas.\n\n## Availability and Rollout\n\nThe rollout differs slightly by feature:\n\n- Excel table imports are available now to all users.\n- Linked pivot table support is rolling out gradually to all Workspace domains and personal Google accounts.\n- Both Connected Sheets features, list parameters and column aliasing, are rolling out now for all Google Workspace customers and personal account users with Connected Sheets access.\n\nThe Excel table import feature is live now. Linked pivot table support is still rolling out, so some users may not see it yet.\n\nThe Connected Sheets list parameters and column aliasing features are also rolling out now for users with Connected Sheets access. It is not confirmed when the pivot table rollout will be complete.", "url": "https://wpnews.pro/news/google-sheets-improves-excel-imports-with-native-tables-and-adds-connected-for", "canonical_source": "https://www.ghacks.net/2026/08/13/google-sheets-improves-excel-imports-with-native-tables-and-adds-connected-sheets-upgrades-for-bigquery/", "published_at": "2026-08-13 16:13:32+00:00", "updated_at": "2026-08-16 11:10:54.400513+00:00", "lang": "en", "topics": ["ai-products", "ai-tools"], "entities": ["Google", "Google Sheets", "Microsoft Excel", "BigQuery", "Connected Sheets", "Google Workspace"], "alternates": {"html": "https://wpnews.pro/news/google-sheets-improves-excel-imports-with-native-tables-and-adds-connected-for", "markdown": "https://wpnews.pro/news/google-sheets-improves-excel-imports-with-native-tables-and-adds-connected-for.md", "text": "https://wpnews.pro/news/google-sheets-improves-excel-imports-with-native-tables-and-adds-connected-for.txt", "jsonld": "https://wpnews.pro/news/google-sheets-improves-excel-imports-with-native-tables-and-adds-connected-for.jsonld"}}