Putting spreadsheet data into a report or proposal is easy when both live in Google Workspace. You can insert a Google Sheets table or chart into a Google Doc, and even keep it linked so it updates with one click when the numbers change. This guide covers linked tables, linked charts, static copies, and a few tips for keeping everything looking clean.
Quick answer
In Google Sheets, select the cells and press Ctrl + C (Command + C on Mac). In Google Docs, click where the table should go and press Ctrl + V. In the Paste table box, choose Link to spreadsheet to keep it connected, or Paste unlinked for a one-time copy, then click Paste.
Method 1: Insert a linked table
A linked table stays connected to the original spreadsheet, so you can refresh it when the data changes.
- Open the spreadsheet in Google Sheets.
- Select the range of cells you want to include.
- Copy them with Ctrl + C, or right-click and choose Copy.
- Open your Google Doc and click where you want the table.
- Paste with Ctrl + V.
- In the Paste table dialog, select Link to spreadsheet and click Paste.
When the source data changes, an Update button appears at the top-right of the table in the Doc. Click it to pull in the latest values. Updates aren’t automatic, so you control when the document changes.
Method 2: Paste a static copy
If you only need a snapshot, choose Paste unlinked in the dialog. The data becomes a regular Google Docs table that you can edit freely. It won’t change if the spreadsheet does. This is best for final reports and documents you’ll share outside your organization.
Method 3: Insert a chart from Sheets
- Make sure your spreadsheet already has a chart. In Sheets, use Insert > Chart to create one if needed.
- In Google Docs, go to Insert > Chart > From Sheets.
- Pick the spreadsheet and click Insert.
- Choose the chart, leave Link to spreadsheet checked if you want updates, and click Import.
Linked charts also show an Update button when the data changes. You can also copy a chart in Sheets and paste it into Docs for the same linking option.
Method 4: Link to the spreadsheet
For large spreadsheets, a full table can make a document hard to read. Instead, select some text in the Doc, press Ctrl + K, and paste the spreadsheet’s share link. Readers can click through to see the full data. See how to add a hyperlink in Google Docs.
Format the table in Google Docs
Linked tables bring their formatting from Sheets, but you can still adjust how they look in the document:
- Right-click the table and choose Table properties to change borders, cell padding, and alignment.
- Drag column borders to resize them. See how to make a table smaller in Google Docs.
- Formatting changes you make in Docs may be overwritten when you click Update, so make lasting changes in the spreadsheet itself.
Unlink or remove the connection
Click the table or chart, click the link options menu that appears, and choose Unlink. The data stays in the document as a regular table or image, and it won’t update anymore.
Update everything at once
If your document has several linked tables and charts, you don’t have to update them one by one. Go to Tools > Linked objects to open a panel listing every linked item in the document. Click Update all to refresh them together, or update individual items from the list. This is especially handy for weekly reports built from the same spreadsheet.
Tips and limits
- Sharing: People who view the Doc can see the table, but they need access to the spreadsheet to open it or update the link.
- Size: Very large ranges paste slowly and are hard to read. Use a summary range or a pivot table instead.
- Mobile: The Docs app shows linked tables but has fewer options for creating or updating them, so use a computer.
- Hidden rows: Hide rows or columns in Sheets before copying if you don’t want them in the document.
Related: How to add a column to a table in Google Docs.
Related: Convert a PDF to Google Sheets.
Frequently asked questions
Why don’t I see the Link to spreadsheet option?
Make sure you copied from Google Sheets in the same browser and that you have edit access to the Doc. Copying from Excel or another app pastes a normal table.
Can a linked table update automatically?
No. You need to click Update in the Doc when the data changes.
Can I insert an Excel spreadsheet into Google Docs?
Upload the Excel file to Google Drive and open it in Google Sheets first, then follow the steps above.
Kermit Matthews runs Live2Tech from just outside Philadelphia. He is an IT specialist with over 20 years of experience, from a university help desk to small-business IT, IT management and his own consulting practice, and has written tech guides full time since 2020. Steps are checked against the current software on a real device or the maker’s official documentation. More about Kermit.