> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.dingtalk.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Cross-spreadsheet references
> DingTalk Sheets cross-spreadsheet references use the IMPORTRANGE function to pull cell data from a target range in another spreadsheet and auto-sync whenever the source is updated — enabling seamless multi-spreadsheet data consolidation.
Cross-spreadsheet references rely on the IMPORTRANGE function to import cell data from a target range in a specified spreadsheet and automatically sync updates from the source spreadsheet. With cross-spreadsheet references, you can connect data across multiple spreadsheets in a single step, making data processing more efficient.
**Table of contents**
1. Use case overview
2. How to create a reference
3. View or edit existing references
4. Cancel a reference
5. Troubleshooting cross-spreadsheet reference failures
6. FAQ
## 1. Use case overview
Ding Sanduo is the national store manager of DingTalk Coffee, and needs to consolidate the **sales performance of stores nationwide** in real time every day. Ding Sanduo wants a master spreadsheet that automatically references **the sales data of stores in different regions**, instead of copying the data manually. This **maintains efficiency** and ensures that any subsequent updates **sync automatically** to all spreadsheets that reference the data.
## 2. How to create a reference
**Method 1: From the feature menu**
Select a cell, then click **Menu** > **Data** > **Cross-spreadsheet reference** > **Create reference** in the toolbar. In the dialog, select or search for the target spreadsheet file, choose the data range on the right, and click **Reference data** to complete the action.
**Method 2: Use the IMPORTRANGE function**
Select a cell and enter "=IMPORTRANGE" to open the function panel. Click **Select spreadsheet**, select or search for the target spreadsheet file in the dialog, choose the data range on the right, and click **Reference data** to complete the action.
If you are familiar with functions, enter the formula directly: =IMPORTRANGE(spreadsheet link, range)
For example: `=IMPORTRANGE("https://docs.dingtalk.io/...","'Project Management'!G21:G22")`
**Method 3: From the function menu**
Select a cell, then click **Menu** > **Insert** > **Formula** > **All functions** in the toolbar. Find the IMPORTRANGE function under **Lookup**, click **Insert** > **Select spreadsheet**, choose the target spreadsheet file in the dialog, and click **Reference data** to complete the reference.
\*\* Tips\*\*
After confirming the reference, an authorization prompt appears in a small window. Click **Allow**, otherwise the reference cannot take effect.
## 3. View or edit existing references
**Users with Can edit or higher permissions on the current spreadsheet** can view cross-spreadsheet references in the current worksheet.
**How to view:**
* **View all references**: From the main **Menu**, click **Data** > **Cross-spreadsheet reference** > **View all references**.
* **View references in a selection**: Right-click within the selection to open the context menu, scroll to the bottom, and select **Cross-spreadsheet reference**.
**Sync the data source**
Method 1: Open the view panel, then click the refresh button on the spreadsheet card on the right.
Method 2: Right-click the referenced selection, scroll to the bottom of the menu, and select **Cross-spreadsheet reference** > **Refresh referenced data**.
**Modify the referenced range**
Method 1: Open the view panel, click the edit button on the spreadsheet card on the right, and reselect the referenced spreadsheet and range in the dialog.
Method 2: Right-click the referenced selection, scroll to the bottom of the menu, select **Cross-spreadsheet reference** > **Modify referenced data**, and reselect the referenced spreadsheet and range in the dialog.
**Open the reference source**
> (**Note: Users with Can edit or higher permissions on the current spreadsheet can use the Open entry.**)
Method 1: Open the view panel and click the referenced spreadsheet on the spreadsheet card on the right to navigate to it.
Method 2: Right-click the referenced selection, scroll to the bottom of the menu, and select **Cross-spreadsheet reference** > **Open source spreadsheet**.
## 4. Cancel a reference
> **Note: Only users with Can edit or higher permissions on the current spreadsheet can cancel a reference.**
Method 1: Open the view panel and click the cancel button on the spreadsheet card on the right.
Method 2: Right-click the referenced selection, scroll to the bottom of the menu, and select **Cross-spreadsheet reference** > **Cancel reference**.
## 5. Troubleshooting cross-spreadsheet reference failures
1. **Glossary**
Node: A "cross-spreadsheet reference node" refers to a document or data unit that is being referenced. In a cross-spreadsheet reference, each individual document, spreadsheet, or table can be regarded as a "node". These nodes are connected through reference relationships, forming a network or graph structure.
2. **Categories and causes of cross-spreadsheet reference failures**
When you reference data across spreadsheets, the reference may fail. The main causes are:
1. **Node count limit**
* **Node count limit explanation:** The node count refers to the total number of documents directly or indirectly connected through references in the network. The current limit is 10 nodes. If the total exceeds 10, authorization fails with a message indicating the limit has been reached. For example:
* A references B and C; B references D, E, and F. The total number of related documents is 6.
* When the total reaches 10, none of the 10 documents can reference an 11th document, nor can the 11th reference any of them.
* If the combined total of two reference groups exceeds 10, the two groups cannot be linked.
2. **Node depth limit**
* **Node depth limit:** The node depth refers to the depth of references along a single path—document A is referenced by document B, which is referenced by document C, and so on. The current depth limit is 3 levels. For example:
* A references B, B references C, and C references D. There are 3 levels of references among these four documents. D cannot reference a fifth document, nor can a fifth document reference A.
3. **Circular references**
* **Circular reference:** If document A references document B, and document B directly or indirectly references document A, forming a closed loop, the reference is not supported. This avoids infinite loops or logical confusion in data processing. For example:
* A references B, and B references C. C cannot reference A or B. A document cannot reference itself either.
3. **Notes for using cross-spreadsheet references**
4. The number of related referenced documents cannot exceed 10.
5. Referenced documents do not support online editing.
6. Referencing too much content or formulas that are too complex may cause a timeout and lead to failure.
## 6. FAQ
1. Cross-spreadsheet references do not currently support local spreadsheets.
2. Spreadsheets containing "Lock - View prohibited" rules cannot be referenced.
3. The referenced range cannot contain other data. Cross-spreadsheet references rely on "array formulas". When the array expands, the target area must be empty.
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