If you're looking to export your beloved Google Analytics 3 data to Google Sheets, you’ve come to the right place. In this short guide, we’ll break down three popular ways to export your Google Analytics raw data. In particular, you'll learn the steps to backup your google universal analytics data to Google Sheets.
Before we explore the three options, let’s quickly recap why Google Sheets. Google Sheets is a great format to save your GA3 historical data. It's a future-proof solution to store your GA data because:
These reasons should confirm why Google Sheets is the right format to save your Universal Analytics data. Now, it's time to explore three different methods to get your Google Analytics exports to Google Sheets.
The first way (and in our opinion the least desirable way) is to export individual reports manually from Google Analytics. However, you should know this is still an available option.
Step 1: In Google Analytics, open and/or create the report you would like to export. Choose the desired data range.
Tip: Choose 30 June as your last date as this is when Universal Analytics stopped processing data.
Step 2: Select Export from the top menu bar, and choose Google Sheets.
Step 3: Report Generated
The file is then automatically generated and accessible from Google Sheets or your Google Drive.
Despite the process itself being quite simple, it can quickly become tedious to download all your google analytics data like this. This is because all your data comes in the form of individual reports, with different data ranges, segments and secondary metrics for example. In order to export individual reports you first have to have created them manually in Google Analytics.
Tip: Check whether you have built reports covering the following areas:
Learn more about creating custom reports.
Once you have created these reports, you’ll then need to perform the actual process to export the raw data. From our calculations this could take the experienced digital marketer at least a couple of days work. We wouldn't recommend this way to export your GA3 data to Google Sheets. However, the option still exists and if you have time at your disposal and aren't looking to save much GA3 data.
The Google Sheets add-on for Google Analytics provides a faster and less manual way to pull data from Google Analytics. Built as a developer tool, Google describes the add-on as bringing you to the ‘power of the Google Analytics API combined with the power of data manipulation in Google Spreadsheets.’
There are two parts to learn how to export your Universal Analytics data with the Google Sheets add-on:
Step 1: Install the Google Analytics Spreadsheets Add-on
Step 2: Create or Open a new Google Spreadsheets
Step 3: Google Analytics should now appear under Extensions in the menu bar.
To run reports in Google Sheets follow these steps:
Select Extensions > Google Analytics > Run Reports from the menu bar.
The Google Sheets Add-On is feature rich. Features include:
As you can see, the Google Spreadsheets add-on is a lot less manual than exporting individual reports. However, it still requires knowledge of the dimensions and metrics you would like to save. Plus building these reports to accurately safeguard your GA data.
As discussed previously, this can be a very time-consuming process. A deep understanding of Google Analytics and web analytics is needed to work out which data is worth saving.
This brings us to the third way to save your GA3 data. Using a tool that provides predefined reports, covering a range of marketing and business use cases, and automated the export process.
GA3 exporter is hands down the simplest way to export Google Analytics 3 data to google sheets or Excel. The tool does all the heavy lifting for you, including a fast export process and curated reports.
Follow three easy steps to export your data from Google Analytics.
Step 1: Connect your Google Analytics account to GA3-exporter
Login into your Google Account and connect GA3-exporter with your Google Analytics account.
Step 2: Select the View
Select the Google Analytics account, Property and View you want to export.
Step 3: Generate the Export
The report is generated containing over 20 Excel data sets. These data sets have been curated to cover all popular marketing use cases.
Step 4: Import the Excel export to Google Sheets
Excel is similar to Google Sheets. But to get your data to your final destination in Google Sheets, you'll need to import the sheets. Simply, Open Google Sheets > File > Import > Upload your Excel file.
With your data in Excel format, you can also easily upload this information to data platforms such as BigQuery. GA3-exporter also has a data integration to BigQuery, as well as a PDF option for accessible charts and graphs.
This short video walks you through how to export your Google Analytics data. Choose to export data to Google Sheets or PDF.
It's straightforward to sign up with GA3-exporter to save your data.
Step 1: Choose a plan
Choose between the Starter, Regular and Professional packages.
Step 2: Follow the steps to export your data.
Now, you have explored the different ways to save your Google Analytics 3 data. Ultimately it's up to you to choose the right option to save your data. However, we recommend using a handy tool to save you time.
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9 friendly white rabbits Data Consultancy
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