Cryptocurrency prices change rapidly, making manual tracking inefficient and time-consuming. Constantly refreshing exchange websites and updating spreadsheets by hand is no longer necessary. With the right tools, you can automate the entire process, accessing real-time rates, historical data, and portfolio analytics directly within Google Sheets. This guide walks you through how to automatically pull and update live and historical cryptocurrency prices in your spreadsheets.
Why Track Crypto in Google Sheets?
Using Google Sheets for cryptocurrency tracking offers several advantages for investors, traders, and analysts. It centralizes data, supports automation, and enables deeper analysis without switching between platforms.
Real-Time Updates
Automatically pull live pricing data without manually refreshing browser tabs or exchange apps. Your spreadsheet stays current with minimal effort.
Historical Data Analysis
Access past price data to identify trends, backtest trading strategies, and perform technical analysis—all within a familiar spreadsheet environment.
Custom Portfolio Tracking
Consolidate all your cryptocurrency holdings in a single sheet. Create personalized dashboards that display your portfolio’s performance, asset allocation, and profit/loss calculations.
Automation
Reduce manual data entry and focus more on interpreting data and making informed decisions. Automated workflows save time and minimize human error.
How to Get Live Crypto Prices in Google Sheets
There are two primary methods to import live cryptocurrency prices into Google Sheets. Each has its own strengths and limitations.
Using the GOOGLEFINANCE Function
Google Sheets includes a built-in function called GOOGLEFINANCE that can fetch financial market data, including a limited selection of cryptocurrencies.
To get the current price of Bitcoin in US Dollars, use:
=GOOGLEFINANCE("CURRENCY:BTCUSD")Supported cryptocurrencies are limited—typically only Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Litecoin (LTC). This function also lacks detailed market data such as opening price, daily high/low, and trading volume.
Limitations of GOOGLEFINANCE:
- Supports only a handful of cryptocurrencies.
- Prices may not always reflect real-time values from major exchanges.
- No access to full market data (OHLCV).
Using Third-Party Tools like Wisesheets
For broader coverage and more reliable data, many users turn to specialized add-ons. These tools support thousands of cryptocurrencies and provide more detailed information.
For example, to get the live price of Ethereum using Wisesheets:
=WISEPRICE("ETHUSD", "Price")Benefits of Using a Dedicated Tool:
- Support for 3,000+ cryptocurrencies and tokens.
- Access to open, high, low, close, and volume (OHLCV) data.
- More frequent and reliable data updates.
👉 Explore advanced crypto tracking tools
Importing Historical Crypto Prices
Historical data is essential for analyzing market trends, evaluating investment strategies, and conducting research. Both native and third-party methods offer ways to retrieve this data.
Using GOOGLEFINANCE for Historical Data
You can retrieve historical closing prices for supported cryptocurrencies over a specified period. For example, to get Ethereum’s daily closing prices over the last 30 days:
=GOOGLEFINANCE("Currency:ETHUSD", "price", TODAY()-30, TODAY())Drawbacks:
- Only closing prices are available—no high, low, open, or volume data.
- Limited to a few cryptocurrencies.
- Data may sometimes be inconsistent or delayed.
Using Wisesheets for Full Historical Data
Advanced tools allow you to import complete historical OHLCV data. For instance, to retrieve Bitcoin’s daily closing prices between January 1 and January 31, 2023:
=WISEPRICE("BTCUSD", "close",, "01/01/2023", "01/31/2023")This method supports a wider date range and offers more granular control over the type of data retrieved.
Automating Price Updates in Google Sheets
Since cryptocurrency markets operate 24/7, keeping your data updated automatically is crucial. Here’s how to set up auto-refresh for both native and add-on methods.
Automating GOOGLEFINANCE Updates
Google Sheets allows you to adjust recalculation settings to keep data current:
- Open your Google Sheet and click on File > Settings.
- Navigate to the Calculation tab.
- Under Recalculation, choose On change and every minute.
- Click Save settings.
This will refresh all GOOGLEFINANCE functions at regular intervals.
Automating Updates with Wisesheets
If you’re using an add-on, the process may differ:
- Open your spreadsheet and click on the Wisesheets menu.
- Select the option labeled Refresh Live Data.
- Some tools also support scheduling automatic updates at set intervals.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often do crypto prices update in Google Sheets?
With GOOGLEFINANCE, prices refresh every 1–20 minutes based on Google’s internal updates. Third-party tools often provide more frequent—even real-time—refreshes depending on the service tier.
Can I track altcoins or less popular tokens?
The native GOOGLEFINANCE function only supports major cryptocurrencies like BTC and ETH. For altcoins, memecoins, or newer tokens, you’ll need a specialized tool that pulls data from a broader set of exchanges.
Is it safe to connect Google Sheets to crypto data providers?
Most reputable add-ons use read-only API connections and comply with Google’s security standards. Always review permissions and privacy policies before installing any third-party tool.
Can I build a crypto portfolio tracker in Google Sheets?
Yes. By combining live price data with your holdings information, you can create a personalized portfolio tracker that calculates total value, profit/loss, and asset allocation percentages.
Do I need coding experience to use these functions?
No. Basic formulas like GOOGLEFINANCE require no coding. Add-ons often provide a user-friendly interface or simple function syntax that doesn’t require advanced skills.
What if I need data from multiple exchanges?
Some advanced tools allow you to specify exchange sources or aggregate data from several markets. This helps in getting a more accurate volume-weighted average price.
Conclusion
Manually tracking cryptocurrency prices is inefficient and prone to errors. By using Google Sheets’ built-in functions or enhanced third-party tools, you can automate data retrieval, ensure timely updates, and gain access to both real-time and historical market data. This allows you to focus on analysis and strategy rather than data collection.
Whether you’re a casual investor or a serious trader, integrating live crypto data into spreadsheets can significantly improve your workflow and decision-making process.