New updates are being added at the bottom of this story…….

Original story (published on March 05, 2022) follows:

Google Sheets is one of the most useful tools offered by the Google Workspace suite. It is Google’s alternative to other spreadsheet software such as Microsoft Excel.

You can work with Google Sheets in the cloud, which means all your work will be saved as you go and synced between all your compatible devices.

Google Sheets has many features that speed up user productivity. For instance, you can use the IMPORTXML and IMPORTHTML functions to integrate different types of structured data to your spreadsheet from other sources.

However, many users are facing issues when trying to use these features. Both IMPORTXML and IMPORTHTML functions are currently broken in Google Sheets, according to reports (1, 2, 3).

Google Sheets IMPORTXML or IMPORTHTML not working

Many Google Sheets users who used the IMPORTXML or IMPORTHTML functions on a daily basis found that they were no longer working, for no apparent reason.

google-sheets-importxml-importhtml-not-working-1
Source

IMPORTXML function was working for two months then stopped this morning

i only see an error box that says “Loading data…”, not the typical “unable to fetch” or formula parse error if i did something wrong. it’s just hung.
also, two API connections i have in my sheet are doing the same thing. everything seems to be hung. anyone have any ideas?
Source

importhtml stops working

I have an importhtml formula that pulls certain data from a website into google sheets. Once the formula is pasted into a cell in google sheets, it works great for a few days, maybe 4-5 days or so. After that, the cells say “loading”, and never loads up again. Even if I wait 10 hours with laptop on the entire time, it won’t load. However if I create a NEW and separate google sheet, and paste the same formula into that new sheet, it works. But again after a few days it stops working.
Source

Issue already escalated, fix in works

Multiple reports on the issue reached a product expert on the Google support forums, who escalated it to the development team.

Hi Kyle,

This issue has been reported several times today. I have escalated this issue and we will get back to you when we have more information.
Source

A Google staff member also confirmed that they are working on a fix, but there is still no estimated arrival date for it.

google-sheets-importxml-importhtml-not-working-2
Source

We will keep our eyes open for new details that emerge on the matter to update this story.

Update 1 (March 08)

03:29 pm (IST): Google Docs support team on Twitter has confirmed that they are working on a fix for this issue which is expected to be released early this week.

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Jean Leon
1613 Posts

A tech enthusiast since ever. I like to always be up to date on the latest news in the industry and write about it. Twitter: @jean_ERdC

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