How to Scrape Data from a Website into Google Sheets Easily

I’ll be honest: I live in Google Sheets. If you’re anything like me (or, let’s face it, like most business folks), you probably have a tab open right now with a spreadsheet full of leads, product prices, or some wild market research project. Google Sheets is the Swiss Army knife for business data, and it’s no wonder—over use it every month, and rely on it for internal data wrangling. But here’s the kicker: when it comes to pulling live data from websites into Google Sheets, most guides just say, “Oh, use IMPORTXML.” If only it were that simple.

Let’s be real—IMPORTXML is like trying to use a butter knife to cut a steak. It works for some things, but the moment you try scraping a modern, JavaScript-heavy site, or anything with logins, infinite scroll, or anti-bot tricks, you’re going to get that dreaded “Imported content is empty” error. (I’ve seen it so many times, I’m convinced it’s Google’s way of trolling us.) So, in this guide, I’ll walk you through both the classic Google Sheets scraping methods and the new, AI-powered approach with . We’ll cover what works, what breaks, and how you can actually get reliable, up-to-date website data into your spreadsheets—without losing your mind.

Google Sheets Web Scraping: What Are Your Options?

Before we get into the weeds, let’s zoom out. There are a few main ways to get website data into Google Sheets:

• Built-in formulas like IMPORTXML, IMPORTHTML, and IMPORTDATA.
• Add-ons that give you enhanced scraping functions.
• No-code web scraper tools (think point-and-click browser extensions).
• Custom scripts (for the code warriors out there).
• AI-powered scrapers like , which is what I’m most excited about.

Each method has its place, but as websites get more complex, the old tricks just don’t cut it anymore. Let’s break down why.

Why “IMPORTXML” Isn’t Enough for Modern Website Scraping

If you’ve ever tried to use =IMPORTXML("<https://example.com>", "//h2") and watched your spreadsheet fill up with beautiful data, you know the thrill. But here’s the thing: IMPORTXML and its friends (IMPORTHTML, IMPORTDATA) only fetch the static HTML that the server sends. They don’t run JavaScript, don’t handle logins, and don’t click buttons or scroll for you. So, when you try to scrape a product listing, Facebook Marketplace, or even Google Search results, you’re likely to get a big fat nothing—or worse, a cryptic error.

Let’s look at the most common headaches:

• JavaScript-rendered content: Modern sites load data after the page loads. IMPORTXML can’t see it. You get .
• Login requirements: IMPORTXML fetches as an anonymous Google server. If the data is behind a login, you’re out of luck ().
• Pagination: Want to scrape more than one page? You’ll need to copy your formula for every URL, or write a script. There’s .
• Anti-bot measures: Popular sites block Google’s import functions, especially if too many people are scraping at once.
• Formula breakage: If the website changes its layout or HTML, your XPath breaks. You might not even notice until your boss asks why the data is missing.

I’ve personally spent hours debugging why a formula that worked yesterday suddenly spits out #N/A today. Turns out, the site added a new div. Thanks, web designers.

So, while IMPORTXML is great for simple, static pages, it’s just not built for the modern web. And as more businesses rely on automated data collection— use price scraping for dynamic pricing, for example—the need for something more robust is obvious.

Comparing Google Sheets Scraping Methods: From Formulas to AI Tools

Let’s get practical. Here’s how the main scraping methods stack up for Google Sheets users:

• Sheets Formulas (IMPORTXML/HTML): Free and built-in, but only work for static, public pages. No JavaScript, no logins, no pagination. Break easily.
• Add-ons (like ImportFromWeb): More powerful, can handle some JavaScript and multiple URLs, but still need you to specify selectors (XPath/CSS). Subscription required for heavy use.
• No-code scraper apps: Point-and-click tools like browser extensions or desktop apps. Can handle almost any site, but setup can be fiddly, and you often have to export to CSV before importing to Sheets.
• Custom scripts: Ultimate flexibility, but you need to know how to code—and you’re on the hook for maintenance.
• AI-powered scrapers (Thunderbit): Minimal setup, works on almost any site, adapts to layout changes, and exports directly to Google Sheets. No coding, no XPath, no drama.

Let’s put this in a table for the visual learners (and because, well, we’re talking about spreadsheets):

Google Sheets Web Scraping Solutions at a Glance

As you can see, Thunderbit is designed to make scraping as easy as clicking a button—literally.

Why Google Sheets Scraping Isn’t Just “IMPORTXML”: The Real-World View

Here’s the thing most tutorials miss: IMPORTXML is only good for the “easy mode” web. But most business users need to scrape data from sites that are anything but easy mode. Think:

• Sales teams pulling leads from business directories that require login or have infinite scroll.
• Ecommerce ops tracking competitor prices on sites that use JavaScript to load listings.
• Marketers collecting Google Search results, then following each link for deeper info.
• Researchers aggregating reviews or forum posts, often buried in dynamic layouts.

In these scenarios, IMPORTXML is like bringing a spoon to a knife fight. You need a tool that can handle the real web—JavaScript, logins, pagination, and all.

How Thunderbit Makes Google Scraping Simple: 2-Click Data Import

Let’s talk about what I’m genuinely excited about: . (Yes, I’m biased—I helped build it, but I built it because I was tired of all the old headaches.)

Here’s how Thunderbit works:

1. AI Suggest Fields: You open the Chrome Extension on any website and click “AI Suggest Fields.” Thunderbit’s AI scans the page and suggests column names—like “Name,” “Price,” “Email,” or “Image URL.” No XPath, no HTML, no guesswork.
2. Scrape: You review the fields (edit if you want), then click “Scrape.” Thunderbit extracts the data and shows it in a table.
3. Export: Click “Export to Google Sheets.” Your data lands in a spreadsheet, ready to use.

That’s it. No more fighting with formulas, no more copy-paste, no more “why is this blank?” moments.

Thunderbit’s Semantic Understanding: Why It’s More Reliable

Here’s where Thunderbit really shines. Instead of just grabbing HTML tags, Thunderbit converts the web page into Markdown, then uses AI to semantically understand the content. It’s like having a virtual assistant who reads the page, figures out what’s important, and ignores the junk.

This means Thunderbit can:

• Handle dynamic content: It sees what you see, even if the data loads after the page.
• Survive layout changes: If the website changes its HTML, Thunderbit still knows what a “price” or “email” looks like.
• Extract from complex pages: Forums, review sections, social media listings—Thunderbit can pull structured data even when the layout is a mess.

I’ve seen Thunderbit scrape Facebook Marketplace listings, Google Search results, and even PDF files. It’s the closest thing I’ve found to “just works” for web scraping.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Scrape Data from a Website into Google Sheets with Thunderbit

Let’s get hands-on. Here’s how you can go from zero to Google Sheets hero in a few minutes:

1. Install Thunderbit Chrome Extension

Head to the and add it to your browser. Sign in with Google or email. (There’s a free tier, so you can try it out without a credit card.)

2. Visit the Target Website

Go to the page you want to scrape. Could be a product listing, a business directory, or a Google Search results page.

3. Click “AI Suggest Fields”

Open Thunderbit, hit “AI Suggest Fields,” and watch as the AI proposes column names based on the page. For example, on an Amazon results page, you might see: Product Name, Price, Rating, Number of Reviews, Product URL.

4. Review and Adjust Fields

Edit the suggested fields if needed. Rename columns, delete extras, or add custom fields with AI instructions (like “summarize the product description” or “extract only emails ending in .edu”).

5. Click “Scrape”

Thunderbit extracts the data and shows a preview table. If the page has infinite scroll or pagination, Thunderbit can handle it—just follow the prompts.

6. Export Directly to Google Sheets

Click “Export to Google Sheets.” Thunderbit will create or update a sheet with your data, preserving data types and formatting.

7. (Optional) Scrape Subpages or Paginated Results

If your data includes links to subpages (like product detail pages), use Thunderbit’s “Scrape Subpages” feature. Thunderbit will visit each link, extract additional info, and append it to your table. For paginated results, you can input multiple URLs or let Thunderbit auto-scroll/click through pages.

8. Enjoy Your Structured Data

Open your Google Sheet and bask in the glory of structured, up-to-date data—no manual copy-paste required.

Advanced: Scraping Google Search Results and Multi-Layer Pages

Let’s say you’re a marketer who wants to collect Google Search results for a keyword, then follow each link to extract deeper info (like emails or product details). Here’s how Thunderbit handles this:

• Scrape the search results page: Thunderbit suggests fields like “Result Title,” “Result URL,” and “Snippet.” Scrape and export to Sheets.
• Scrape subpages: Use the “Scrape Subpages” feature to visit each result URL and extract additional fields (like contact info or product specs).
• Handle pagination: Input multiple search results URLs, or let Thunderbit auto-navigate through pages.

I’ve seen users build entire lead lists by combining Google Search scraping with subpage extraction—something that would take hours (or days) manually.

For a deeper dive, check out our guide on .

Automate Google Scraping: Scheduled Data Updates in Google Sheets

Here’s where things get really fun. With Thunderbit’s , you can set up automatic data refreshes—say, every 6 hours. Perfect for:

• Sales teams: Get a fresh list of leads every morning.
• Ecommerce ops: Monitor competitor prices or stock levels daily.
• Market researchers: Track news, reviews, or social mentions as they happen.

To set it up:

1. Configure your scrape as usual.
2. Click “Schedule,” and describe your interval in plain English (“every 6 hours,” “daily at 7am,” etc.).
3. Link the export to Google Sheets.
4. Thunderbit’s cloud service will run the scrape on schedule—even if your browser is closed—and update your sheet automatically.

No more late-night copy-paste sessions. Your data is always fresh, and your team is always in the loop.

Troubleshooting: Common Issues with Google Scraping and How Thunderbit Helps

Let’s be honest—web scraping is never 100% smooth. Here are the most common issues, and how Thunderbit tackles them:

• “Imported content is empty” (IMPORTXML): Thunderbit loads dynamic content, so this error is rare. If you see empty data, check if you’re logged in or if the page actually has the info you want.
• Login-required pages: Use Thunderbit’s browser mode to scrape with your logged-in session.
• Anti-bot blocks: Thunderbit’s cloud scraping uses rotating IPs and mimics real browsing to avoid blocks.
• Website structure changes: Thunderbit’s AI adapts to layout changes. If data goes missing, just re-run “AI Suggest Fields.”
• Large data volumes: Thunderbit lets you filter or refine data before importing, so you don’t overload your sheet.
• Combining multiple sources: Run multiple scrapes and use Google Sheets’ IMPORTRANGE or formulas to combine data.

If you ever get stuck, try switching between browser and cloud mode, or check out . And if all else fails, there’s always coffee.

Key Takeaways: Choosing the Best Way to Import Website Data into Google Sheets

Let’s wrap it up:

• Google Sheets formulas (IMPORTXML, etc.): Great for simple, static sites. Not so great for anything dynamic, paginated, or login-protected.
• Traditional scrapers and scripts: Powerful, but require setup and maintenance.
• AI-powered scrapers like Thunderbit: Fast, reliable, and built for the real web. No coding, no XPath, just click and go.

If you’re spending more time troubleshooting formulas than actually using your data, it’s time to try Thunderbit. You’ll save hours, reduce errors, and finally have a Google Sheet that updates itself—just like you always wanted.

Ready to give it a spin? , set up your first scrape, and let the AI do the heavy lifting. Your future self (and your Google Sheets) will thank you.

Want to go deeper? Check out more on the , including guides on , , and .

Happy scraping—and may your sheets always be full (of data, not errors).

FAQs

1. Why doesn’t IMPORTXML work for most modern websites?

IMPORTXML only fetches static HTML and cannot execute JavaScript, handle login-protected pages, manage pagination, or bypass anti-bot protections. This makes it unreliable for scraping data from dynamic websites.

2. What makes Thunderbit different from traditional scraping methods?

Thunderbit uses AI to understand webpage content semantically. It can handle JavaScript-heavy pages, logins, pagination, and layout changes—all without requiring coding or XPath knowledge. It also exports data directly to Google Sheets.

3. How do I use Thunderbit to scrape data into Google Sheets?

Install the Thunderbit Chrome Extension, visit the target website, use "AI Suggest Fields" to detect data, click "Scrape," and finally "Export to Google Sheets." It’s a simple 2-click process to get structured data into your spreadsheet.

4. Can Thunderbit automate data scraping tasks?

Yes. Thunderbit offers a Scheduled Scraper feature that lets you set automatic data updates in Google Sheets. You can schedule scrapes at regular intervals, ensuring your sheets are always up to date.

5. What types of websites can Thunderbit handle that other tools can’t?

Thunderbit works well with JavaScript-heavy sites, pages requiring logins, infinitely scrolling lists, and multi-layer structures like Google Search results followed by subpage extraction. It’s built for real-world, complex web data.

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