> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.jeffsu.org/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Google Sheets: Extract Useful Data in 2 Clicks
- URL: https://www.jeffsu.org/productivity-ping-105/
- Published: 2023-07-14T01:00:37.000Z
- Updated: 2025-09-05T13:04:10.000Z
- Description: #105
- Author: Jeff
- Tags: #newsletter, Google Sheets

*(you can* [*filter previous issues*](https://www.jeffsu.org/filter-previous-editions-by-app/) *by application!)*

## 🤔 What is it?

I’m working with an amazing freelancer who’s turning some of my Youtube videos into [written posts](https://www.jeffsu.org/9-microsoft-edge-features-chrome-doesnt-have-yet/).

Since we’re tracking progress in Notion, he has to take my scripts (in Google Docs) and extract the **file name** and **URL** for 130+ files 😵!

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/db/85/db858a9d-1c4f-4993-8042-faa87b9bb3c1/content/images/2023/07/image-39.png)

Luckily we can use the **Data Extraction tool** within Google Sheets to make this a complete breeze:

- Right click Smart Chips > Data extraction > Select data to extract

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/db/85/db858a9d-1c4f-4993-8042-faa87b9bb3c1/content/images/2023/07/CleanShot-2023-07-11-at-12.36.51.gif)

💡

****Pro tip:** The output is dynamic, meaning if you change the source chip, the output will update as well!

## File vs. People Chips

The type of data you can extract will depend on the Smart Chip you use.

Here’s what you can extract from **People Chips** for example:

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/db/85/db858a9d-1c4f-4993-8042-faa87b9bb3c1/content/images/2023/07/image-40.png)

## Limitations

As you can see in this screenshot, the Data Extraction tool is essentially creating a bunch of formulas at once *(i.e. you can input the formula manually as well)*:

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/db/85/db858a9d-1c4f-4993-8042-faa87b9bb3c1/content/images/2023/07/image-41.png)

You can type the formula =B3.\[file name\] yourself

### Free Google accounts are limited to the following data outputs:

- MIME Type
- URL
- File Name

### Google Workspace users (aka businesses) have these additional datapoints:

- Owner
- Creation Time
- Last Modified By
- Last Modified Time

Give it a try and let me know what you think in the comments!

## ⌨️ Keyboard shortcut

- **Mac users:** CTRL + OPT + D to open Data Menu > Data Extraction
- **Windows PC:** Alt + D on Chrome, Alt + Shift + D for other browsers

---

**I’m always looking for ways to improve** so give me anonymous feedback [here](https://forms.gle/4Dscq21VYF3fjCcn8?ref=jeffsu.org) 📝

**Want someone to be more productive?** Let them subscribe [here](https://www.jeffsu.org/#/portal/signup) 😉

Thanks for being a subscriber, and have a great day!