How to Import Data in WPS on macOS

Use Import Data with 4 how-to topics that can all be completed directly in WPS Sheets; 4 are available without membership and 0 are membership-related.

How-to Index

How-to Guide

1. Import data files

Entry point: Data → Get Data → Import Data

1. Select the starting cell where you want the imported results to appear.
2. Click the Data tab.
3. Click the Get Data drop-down menu.
4. Click Import Data.
5. In the dialog box, choose a connection method. In most cases, select Open data file directly.
6. Click Select Data Source and locate the source file you want to import.
7. Follow the import wizard settings. For text files, set the encoding and delimiter. For spreadsheet files, choose the sheet name and fields.
8. Confirm the preview and click Finish.

Success Criteria

• UI state: Imported data appears starting from the selected cell.
• Next actions: You can continue editing, filtering, calculating, or saving the worksheet.

Tips While Using

• Common mistakes: If you do not select a starting cell first, the imported data may appear in an unexpected location.
• Environment limits: Install the ACCESS data engine before importing external data.

2. Import database data

Entry point: Data → Get Data → Connect to Database

1. Click the Data tab.
2. Click the Get Data drop-down menu.
3. Click Connect to Database.
4. Select the database type you want to import from.
5. Configure the connection details and choose the data table to import.
6. Confirm the destination cell location.
7. Click Finish to import the data.

Success Criteria

• UI state: The worksheet shows the imported table data from the database.
• Next actions: You can sort, filter, and analyze the imported results.

Tips While Using

• Common mistakes: Incomplete connection details can prevent the data table from loading.
• Environment limits: You need an accessible database and valid connection details.

3. Refresh imported data

Entry point: Data → Refresh All

1. After the source file or source database is updated, return to the worksheet that contains the imported data.
2. Click the Data tab.
3. Click Refresh All.
4. Wait for the worksheet to finish syncing.

Success Criteria

• UI state: The imported results update to the latest source data.
• Next actions: You can continue analyzing and saving the latest results.

Tips While Using

• Common mistakes: If the source changes but you do not run Refresh All, the worksheet still shows the older results.
• Environment limits: The original file path or database connection must still be available during refresh.

4. Break external data links

Entry point: Data → Edit Links → Break Link

1. On the Data tab, click Edit Links.
2. Select Break Link.
3. Confirm that the current data should remain as static results.

Success Criteria

• UI state: The worksheet keeps the current data but no longer stays linked to the external source.
• Next actions: You can continue editing the current results without future source updates.

Tips While Using

• Common mistakes: After you break the link, you cannot use refresh to pull later source updates into the same connection.