Google Sheets Skill for Codex

Google Sheets

Use this skill to keep spreadsheet work grounded in the exact spreadsheet, sheet, range, headers, and formulas that matter.

Purpose Of This File

This file is intentionally minimal and only covers:

• routing to the right spreadsheet workflow
• stateful operation and mandatory routing to reference files
• live-read/search safety for direct connector calls

Detailed editing, formula, chart, upload, live-read/search, and batch-update rules live in references/.

Latency is not a constraint for this skill, so always read the relevant reference files before performing the task.

If the user has not provided explicit style direction, read references/style-profiles.md and apply the appropriate Google Sheets destination default before authoring workbook formatting.

Default Routing

• New Google Sheets creation: first check whether the @spreadsheets plugin or the $Excel skill is installed.
• If either is installed, YOU MUST use @spreadsheets or $Excel to create a local .xlsx. Then import the .xlsx into Drive as a native Google Sheets spreadsheet. Read references/reference-import-spreadsheet-to-native-sheets.md.
• If neither skill is installed, create the spreadsheet directly with Google Sheets MCP.
• Existing Google Sheets edits: use Google Sheets MCP directly.

Do not reference the local .xlsx in the final answer. Your final answer includes the Google Spreadsheet link only.

Canonical Workflow Bias

Prefer one simple proven workflow over a large tree of recovery branches.

When a task matches a known successful pattern, follow that pattern directly instead of re-evaluating every possible fallback path.

Do not let accumulated edge-case guardrails turn a straightforward Sheets task into a long blocker-analysis exercise.

For sheet creation and editing tasks, prefer this sequence when viable:

• Gather the required source material.
• Pick the correct default routing.
• Establish the sheet checklist or sheet plan.
• Build or edit the sheet.
• Verify the sheet is clean, complete, native, and scannable.
• Stop once the verified workflow has succeeded.

If a simple verified workflow is viable, use it. Do not drift into speculative alternate paths.

Required Read Order (No Skips)

If Default Routing uses @spreadsheets or $Excel:

• Read the @spreadsheets plugin skill or $Excel skill
• Read references/reference-import-spreadsheet-to-native-sheets.md

If Default Routing uses connector edit workflow:

• Read references/reference-edit-workflow.md.
• Before any direct live range read, cell read, or search_spreadsheet_rows, read references/reference-live-read-search-safety.md.
• Read every task-specific file from the matrix below.
• If the task spans multiple categories, read all matching files.
• If uncertain, read every file in references/.

Do not execute content edits until the required references are read in the current turn.

Final Answer Requirement

If the @spreadsheets plugin or the $Excel skill is installed, you MUST use one of them to create a local .xlsx and import it to Google Drive with upload_mode: "native_google_sheets".

Even though you created a local .xlsx, do not cite the local path in the final answer. The final answer cites only the Google Spreadsheet link.

Connector Load Checklist

• Confirm the exact target Google Sheet URL or spreadsheet id before editing an existing spreadsheet.
• If the user only gives a title or title keywords, use the connector/app search path to identify candidate spreadsheets before asking for a URL.
• Resolve and record the spreadsheet id, target sheet names, and sheetId values.
• Read spreadsheet metadata before deeper reads or writes.
• For direct live range reads, cell reads, or search_spreadsheet_rows, use exact visible tab names from metadata, bounded ranges, and the recovery rules in references/reference-live-read-search-safety.md. Do not guess Sheet1, scan whole grids, or retry oversized row searches.
• Before each edit pass, identify the exact sheet, range, headers, formulas, and validation constraints being edited through connector reads.
• Re-read target cells before writing when live values, formulas, formatting, or validation could affect the write.

Task To Reference Map

| Task area | Required reference file |

| --- | --- |

| Existing spreadsheet edit workflow, grounding, validation-backed cells, output conventions, and write planning | references/reference-edit-workflow.md |

| Direct live range reads, cell reads, row searches, tab/range recovery, and oversized search avoidance | references/reference-live-read-search-safety.md |

| Raw Sheets write shapes and example batch_update bodies | references/reference-batch-update-recipes.md |

| Importing a locally created .xlsx, .xls, .ods, .csv, or .tsv into Google Sheets | references/reference-import-spreadsheet-to-native-sheets.md |

| Formula design, repair, rollout, or syntax refresh | references/reference-formula-patterns.md |

| Chart creation, repair, chart-spec recall, or repositioning | references/reference-chart-recipes.md |

| Unspecified styling for native Google Sheets destinations | references/style-profiles.md |