Tracking cryptocurrency prices in real time is essential for investors, traders, and financial analysts. While Google Sheets has long supported stock and currency data through its GOOGLEFINANCE() function, support for crypto assets remains limited—especially for altcoins beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum. Fortunately, with a few smart workarounds, you can extend Google Sheets to pull live prices for nearly any cryptocurrency, even lesser-known ones like Polygon (MATIC) or Chainlink (LINK).
This guide walks you through both native and third-party methods to fetch accurate, up-to-date crypto pricing data directly into your spreadsheets—no coding expertise required.
Using GOOGLEFINANCE for Major Cryptocurrencies
Google Sheets’ built-in GOOGLEFINANCE() function is a powerful tool for retrieving real-time financial data. It supports several major cryptocurrencies when paired with fiat currency codes such as USD or BRL.
To get the current price of Bitcoin in US Dollars, use:
=GOOGLEFINANCE("BTCUSD")For Ethereum priced in Brazilian Real:
=GOOGLEFINANCE("ETHBRL")👉 Discover how to automate your crypto portfolio tracking with live data updates.
This method works seamlessly for top-tier digital assets including:
- Bitcoin (BTC)
- Ethereum (ETH)
- Cardano (ADA)
- Binance Coin (BNB)
However, the limitation becomes apparent when dealing with mid-cap or emerging tokens like Solana (SOL), Polygon (MATIC), or Chainlink (LINK)—none of which are supported by GOOGLEFINANCE(). That’s where external data sources come into play.
Overcoming Limitations with IMPORTDATA and External APIs
When native functions fall short, Google Sheets offers several import tools—like IMPORTXML() and IMPORTDATA()—that allow you to pull structured data from public web sources.
Why IMPORTXML Often Fails
A common workaround involves using IMPORTXML() to scrape price data from websites via XPath selectors. However, most modern crypto price sites rely heavily on JavaScript to render content dynamically. Since IMPORTXML() only reads static HTML, it often retrieves incomplete or unusable data—such as raw script tags instead of actual prices.
This makes IMPORTXML() unreliable for real-time crypto tracking.
A Better Solution: Crypto Prices API Wrapper
The Crypto Prices service solves this issue by offering clean, machine-readable price data through simple URLs—perfectly compatible with Google Sheets’ IMPORTDATA() function.
Each cryptocurrency has a dedicated endpoint that returns only its current USD price in plain text. For example:
=IMPORTDATA("https://cryptoprices.cc/MATIC/")This formula fetches the latest price of Polygon (MATIC) in US Dollars.
Similarly, to get Chainlink's price:
=IMPORTDATA("https://cryptoprices.cc/LINK/")These URLs act as lightweight API wrappers around CoinGecko’s data, using ticker symbols (e.g., MATIC, LINK) rather than full coin names—a more intuitive and scalable approach.
Handling Regional Formatting Issues
One challenge arises when your Google Sheet uses a locale with non-US number formatting—such as comma decimal separators (common in Europe and Latin America). In such cases, IMPORTDATA() might interpret 0.801457 as 801457, leading to massive calculation errors.
Fixing Locale-Specific Number Parsing
To prevent misinterpretation, explicitly set the locale parameter within the IMPORTDATA() function:
=IMPORTDATA("https://cryptoprices.cc/MATIC/";; "en_US")The third argument forces Google Sheets to parse the incoming value using US English formatting rules (period as decimal separator), ensuring accuracy regardless of your sheet’s regional settings.
Note: The source always returns prices in USD and en_US format. You cannot change this via URL parameters.
👉 Learn how to build a multi-currency crypto tracker with automated conversions.
Converting Prices to Local Currencies
Since Crypto Prices delivers values in USD only, you’ll need to convert them if your financial records use another currency—like EUR, BRL, or JPY.
Thankfully, GOOGLEFINANCE() excels at currency conversion. Simply multiply the imported USD price by the current exchange rate from USD to your target currency.
For example, to display Chainlink’s price in Brazilian Real (BRL):
=IMPORTDATA("https://cryptoprices.cc/LINK/";; "en_US") * GOOGLEFINANCE("USDBRL")This formula:
- Fetches LINK price in USD
- Retrieves the USD-to-BRL exchange rate
- Multiplies both values to return the local quotation
You can apply this pattern to any supported fiat currency pair:
USDJPY→ Japanese YenUSDEUR→ EuroUSDCAD→ Canadian Dollar
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I track more than 50 cryptocurrencies at once?
Yes. There’s no hard limit on the number of IMPORTDATA() calls per sheet. However, Google imposes quotas on how frequently external data can be refreshed (typically every 30–60 minutes). For high-frequency tracking, consider building a custom script using Apps Script.
Is the Crypto Prices site reliable and up to date?
The site pulls data from CoinGecko’s public API, which aggregates prices from multiple exchanges and updates every few minutes. While not real-time like exchange feeds, it’s accurate enough for portfolio tracking and personal finance use cases.
Does this method work for stablecoins?
Absolutely. You can retrieve prices for stablecoins like USDT, DAI, or USDC using the same approach:
=IMPORTDATA("https://cryptoprices.cc/USDT/";; "en_US")Even though they’re pegged to $1, slight deviations may occur due to market dynamics.
Can I get historical crypto prices in Google Sheets?
Yes—but not directly via IMPORTDATA(). Use GOOGLEFINANCE() with date parameters for Bitcoin and Ethereum:
=GOOGLEFINANCE("BTCUSD", "price", DATE(2025,1,1), TODAY(), "DAILY")For other coins, you’d need to integrate with CoinGecko’s API via Google Apps Script.
Will these formulas break if the service shuts down?
If cryptoprices.cc becomes unavailable, your formulas will return errors. As a safeguard, consider caching critical prices manually or switching to a self-hosted solution using Apps Script and direct API calls.
Are there alternatives to cryptoprices.cc?
Yes. Some developers use CoinPaprika or CoinGecko APIs directly via Apps Script. However, those require authentication keys and custom functions. For simplicity and ease of use, cryptoprices.cc remains one of the most accessible options.
By combining IMPORTDATA() with reliable external services and leveraging GOOGLEFINANCE() for currency conversion, you can create a powerful, automated crypto price dashboard—all within Google Sheets.
Whether you're managing a diversified portfolio or simply monitoring market trends, these techniques empower you to stay informed without leaving your spreadsheet environment.