Track Crypto Prices in Google Sheets: 3 Simple Methods (Without the Headache)
Looking to display the price of Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies in Google Sheets? Whether you're tracking your investments, building a crypto dashboard, or just want automatic updates, there are several ways to do it.
And no, you don’t need a Web3 developer.
In this article, we’ll explore three effective methods to integrate crypto prices in Google Sheets. From the simplest to the most powerful, each method has its pros… and a few gotchas.
1. GOOGLEFINANCE — Simple, fast, but limited to major coins
Google Sheets has a built-in function called GOOGLEFINANCE. It allows you to pull financial data directly from Google’s servers.
Good news: some cryptocurrencies are included.
📘 Example for Bitcoin:
=GOOGLEFINANCE("CURRENCY:BTCUSD")
Step-by-step:
- Open a Google Sheet (new or existing).
- In an empty cell, enter the formula above.
- The current Bitcoin price in USD will display automatically.
- You can then add conditional formatting, charts, or calculations to enhance your dashboard.
✅ Pros:
- Native function, so fast and reliable.
- Auto-updating data.
- No plugins or setup required.
❌ Cons:
- Only works for major cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.).
- Doesn’t support exotic pairs (like DOGE/USDT or AVAX/EUR).
- Data may be delayed depending on Google's sources.
2. IMPORTXML — For custom data and lesser-known cryptos
When GOOGLEFINANCE falls short, especially for altcoins or less common currencies, you can use the IMPORTXML function. It pulls data from the HTML of a public webpage using XPath.
Example to display Bitcoin price via CoinPaprika:
=IMPORTXML("https://coinpaprika.com/en/coin/btc-bitcoin/", "/html/body/div[1]/div[2]/div[1]/div[3]/div[2]/div[1]/div[1]/span[1]")
Full steps:
- Copy the URL of a CoinPaprika page for your chosen crypto.
- Inspect the page (right-click > Inspect) to locate the XPath of the price.
- Use the
IMPORTXMLformula with the URL and XPath path. - The price will be retrieved in real-time and displayed in your sheet.
💡 Tip:
Replace the URL with another CoinPaprika crypto page and adjust the XPath as needed.
✅ Pros:
- Ultra flexible: works with virtually any crypto.
- Real-time data, depending on the source.
- Great for building custom dashboards.
❌ Cons:
- Depends on the page’s HTML structure, which can change anytime.
- XPath may be tricky for beginners.
- IMPORTXML isn’t always stable with dynamic or heavy pages.
🔎 Other sources compatible with IMPORTXML:
⚠️ Note: Some sites use dynamic (JavaScript) content, making IMPORTXML ineffective without external tools like Apps Script or an API.
3. Exceefy — The pro option without formulas or XPath
If you want a method with no complex formulas, no XPath guessing, and one that keeps working even when others break, then Exceefy might be your best ally.
Exceefy is a platform designed to automatically track all your crypto prices in Google Sheets, without the technical hassle.
Key features:
- 🔄 Auto-updates prices every 5 minutes
- 📈 Supports all cryptos: from BTC to the most obscure memecoins
- 🧩 Native integration with Google Sheets: 100% compatible, no script to install
- 🎛️ User-friendly interface: just pick your cryptos, Exceefy does the rest
- 📡 Reliable and aggregated data sources to avoid sync errors
How to use it:
- Go to exceefy.fr
- Create a free account
- Securely connect your Google Sheets via OAuth
- Select your cryptos
- View live prices directly in your sheet
✅ Pros:
- No formula needed: no GOOGLEFINANCE, no IMPORTXML, not even a = sign.
- Works with all cryptos: even the unpronounceable ones.
- Auto-updates every 5 minutes.
- Zero maintenance: no broken XPath or site changes to worry about.
- Direct integration with Google Sheets: ready in a few clicks.
- User-friendly interface: more time for investing, less time with docs.
❌ Cons:
- Login required, but it's secure.
- Relies on a third-party service: not ideal if you prefer DIY solutions.
- Advanced features are available with a paid plan if you're tracking lots of cryptos.
- Requires internet access: but you’re reading this online, so that’s covered.
Conclusion
You now have three ways to display crypto prices in Google Sheets:
- GOOGLEFINANCE – fast, simple, but limited to major coins.
- IMPORTXML – more flexible, supports nearly all cryptos, but depends on website structure.
- Exceefy – full automated solution, ideal for professional tracking without tech headaches.
Whether you're tracking your investments or sharing an up-to-date sheet, these methods will save you serious time.
🎯 Next Step: For a simple and quick setup, use GOOGLEFINANCE. For more flexibility, go with IMPORTXML. For a fully automated, stress-free experience, try Exceefy for free!