An RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feed and an Atom feed are web feed formats used to distribute regularly updated content from websites, such as blog posts, news articles, podcasts, news, or any dynamic content. To import data from RSS feeds or atoms, you can use the Google Sheets’ IMPORTFEED function. To do the same in Excel, you can use the Web Content Add-in or Power Query to import similar web-based content. This article will show you the use of Google Sheets’ IMPORTFEED function while comparing it with Excel’s Web Content Add-in.
What is Google Sheets IMPORTFEED Function?
Google Sheets’ IMPORTFEED function allows you to directly import and parse an RSS or Atom feed.
Syntax:
=IMPORTFEED(URL, [query], [headers], [num_items])
- url: The URL of the RSS or Atom feed.
- query – [optional]: Specifies what part of the feed to return (“items” by default for entries).
- headers – [optional]: To include column headers (TRUE by default).
- num_items – [optional]: The number of items to return (default is all). It extracts the most recent data.
What is Excel’s Web Content Add-in (or Power Query)?
In Excel, there isn’t a built-in function like IMPORTFEED, but you can still import RSS feed data using the Web Content Add-in or Power Query. Since the Web Content add-in doesn’t automatically import RSS data into a table format, you will need to use the Get Data’s From Web option to import the RSS feed in Excel.
Using Google Sheets’ IMPORTFEED Function and Excel’s Web Content Add-in (Power Query) for RSS Data
Suppose you want to import an RSS feed of Statology to get regular updates of our published blog posts. You can use Google Sheet’s IMPORTFEED function and Excel’s Power Query to do so.
Google Sheets’ IMPORTFEED Function
To get the RSS feed data of Statology you can use the IMPORTFEED function. Select cell A1 and insert the following formula.
Formula:
=IMPORTFEED(“https://www.statology.org/feed”, “items”, TRUE, 5)
Explanation: This formula will return the 5 most recent posts from the RSS feed.
- “https://www.statology.org/feed”: This URL will import the RSS data from Statology.
- “Items”: It will return a full table containing items from the feed.
- TRU: It will include the headers.
- 5: The number of items it will return is 5.
Output:
Excel’s Web Content Add-in (Power Query)
By using Web Content Add-in or Power Query you can import data from RSS feeds. Follow the following steps:
Steps:
- Go to the Data tab >> from Get Data >> select From Web.
- In the dialog box, insert the RSS feed URL: https://www.statology.org/feed then click OK.
Now, the Power Query editor will pop up,
- Double-click on the Icon to bring the Table.
- Click on the double-sided arrow of the channel select Item then click OK.
- Again, click on the double-sided arrow of the channel.item select all the required fields and click OK.
Output:
You can use Power Query’s tools to filter, transform, and format the data as needed. Once the data is ready, click Close & Load to bring the data into Excel.
Conclusion
Google Sheets IMPORTFEED function is the easiest and quickest to import RSS feed data. Within a single formula, it imports RSS feed data without much effort. Automatically updates feed data but offers limited data. Though Excel offers more power and flexibility with Power Query, it requires multiple steps to import the RSS feed. It is helpful for advanced transformation and customization integration of web-based data. Based on your RSS feed difficulty you can choose any of the platforms.
