Import Data in WPS on macOS: Introduction

WPS Import Data on macOS helps you bring content from external files or databases into WPS Sheets; this feature includes 4 core tasks, with 4 available without membership and 0 membership-related items.

At a Glance

Metric	Value	Notes
Core tasks	4	Matches the number of rows in the How-to Index
Available without membership	4	Matches the number of Free rows in the index
Membership-related items	0	Matches the number of membership-related rows in the index
Version note	ACCESS data engine required	External data import requires the related data engine

About This Feature

Overview

Import Data is a built-in WPS Sheets capability on macOS for bringing content from external files or databases into the current worksheet, then refreshing or disconnecting that data connection when needed.

Core capabilities include:

Import data files: Import data from XLSX, ET, CSV, TXT, and similar file types.
Connect to databases: Choose a database type and import table data.
Refresh external data: Refresh all imported data after the source changes.
Break external links: Keep the current results while removing the external connection.

This workflow is useful for data consolidation, recurring report updates, cross-system data organization, and snapshot archiving.

System Requirements

Item	Requirement
OS	A macOS device that can run WPS Office normally
App version	The latest version of WPS Office for Mac is recommended
Network	No mandatory network connection for local file imports; a working connection is needed for external databases or online data sources
Other	Install the ACCESS data engine before importing external data, and prepare accessible source files or database connection details

Download & Installation

Item	Details
Official Download	WPS Office Free Download
Installation	Download the Mac installer, complete setup, and open WPS Sheets
Post-install Check	Open WPS Sheets and confirm that entries such as Get Data, Import Data, and Connect to Database are available on the Data tab

Source: WPS Download Center

Compare with Alternatives

Dimension	WPS	Microsoft	Google	Notion	Adobe
Capability Summary	Supports importing data from XLSX, ET, CSV, and TXT files, and also supports database connections, refreshing imported data, and breaking external links.	Microsoft Word can use Excel, Access, and other databases as mail merge data sources, and it can connect to other data sources through the Data Connection Wizard, but the workflow is centered on document merge scenarios rather than spreadsheet data import.	Google Docs supports importing common file types such as Word documents and PDFs for continued editing, with a focus on document compatibility and collaboration rather than spreadsheet-style external data connections.	Notion supports importing CSV, Word, HTML, PDF, ZIP, and data from selected third-party apps, which is useful for content migration and database setup.	Adobe Acrobat supports importing data into interactive PDF forms and exporting form responses to CSV or XML, with a focus on PDF form data handling.
WPS Advantages	Advantage: WPS combines file import, database connection, refresh, and link removal in one spreadsheet workflow, which fits ongoing external data maintenance.	Compared with WPS: the official guidance focuses on mail merge and document data sources, without the same spreadsheet refresh workflow.	Compared with WPS: it is better suited to importing documents for online editing and collaboration, and it does not emphasize database connections or refresh for imported spreadsheet data.	Compared with WPS: it supports many import sources, but the workflow is more about moving content into pages or databases than maintaining refreshed spreadsheet data.	Compared with WPS: it is designed for PDF form data import and export rather than spreadsheet-oriented external data intake.
Official Source	—	Mail merge data sources	Google Docs product page	Import data into Notion	Collect and manage PDF form data

Overall Conclusion
If your main goal is to import, update, and maintain external data inside a spreadsheet, WPS offers a workflow that is closer to everyday data work. Other products also support import-related tasks, but they are more focused on document collaboration, content migration, or PDF form processing.

Use Cases

#	Scenario	Target Users	Core Pain Point	Solution
1	Import text or spreadsheet source data	Data coordinators	External file content needs to be brought into a worksheet quickly	Use Import Data to bring in XLSX, ET, CSV, TXT, and similar files
2	Connect to a business database	Finance or operations staff	Data needs to be pulled from a database table	Use Connect to Database to configure the connection and import the data
3	Sync source updates	Weekly or monthly report owners	Updated source data would otherwise require repeated manual imports	Use Refresh All to sync imported data
4	Freeze the current result	Archive managers	The current result should be kept without maintaining the external link	Use Break Link under Edit Links
5	Combine multiple data sources	Analysts	File-based and database data are scattered across sources	Import different sources into one workbook and process them together

Membership & Benefits

Free vs WPS Premium

Feature	Free User	WPS Member
Import Data feature	Available	Available
Basic spreadsheet editing	Available	Available
Cloud storage	1 GB	20 GB
Template downloads	Limited quantity	More template benefits
Advanced PDF and selected extended tools	Partially limited	More benefits available

Source: WPS Office pricing page

Recommendations

Use Case	Recommended Plan	Reason
Occasional local file imports and basic data cleanup	Free	It already supports Import Data, refresh, and standard spreadsheet work
Frequent cross-device work or broader advanced tool usage	WPS Member	Better suited to users who also need more extended benefits and cloud capacity

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