Fix a Google Sheets URL

What this article helps you do

Fix an invalid URL or a sync failure for Google Sheets. Mapstore accepts only a published CSV export URL, not an edit link.

Before you start

• You have a Google Sheet with a name, address, and optional store data.
• You can access File -> Share -> Publish to web in Google Sheets.
• Stores -> Bulk is open in Mapstore.

Step-by-step instructions

1. Use the published CSV export, not the edit link

Mapstore rejects edit links. A correct URL must:

• Be from docs.google.com
• Include /pub in the path (published format)
• Have output=csv as a query parameter

Correct format:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/YOUR_SHEET_ID/pub?output=csv

Incorrect:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/YOUR_SHEET_ID/edit - This edit link does not work.

2. Publish the sheet

1. In Google Sheets, go to File -> Share -> Publish to web.
2. Select the sheet or range. Usually, select the first sheet.
3. Set the format to Comma-separated values (.csv).
4. Click Publish.
5. Copy the URL that Google generates.
6. Make sure that the URL contains /pub and output=csv.

3. Check for the edit-link error

If Mapstore shows “This looks like a Google Sheets edit link,” do not use the browser URL. Use the Publish to web URL.

4. Verify the URL structure

• Host: docs.google.com
• Path: /spreadsheets/d/{sheet-id}/pub
• Query: output=csv (required)

If one of these parts is missing or different, the sync fails. Publish the sheet again. Then copy the new URL.

5. Make sure that the sheet has data

• The header row has name and address.
• One or more data rows have values in the two columns.
• Empty sheets or missing required columns cause “no stores” or validation errors.

6. Test access to the published URL

Open the published CSV URL in a private browser window. It must return the CSV without asking for a Google login. A normal sharing or edit link is not a substitute for Publish to web.

How to verify it worked

1. Add the URL in Mapstore.
2. Make sure that you do not see an error message.
3. Start the first sync.
4. Make sure that you can see the stores in Stores.
5. Change a value in the sheet.
6. Start the sync again.
7. Make sure that you can see the new value in Mapstore.

Troubleshooting

Related articles

• Sync stores with Google Sheets
• Prepare a Google Sheet
• Prepare a CSV file
• Fix skipped CSV rows