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Question

Extracting simple text link from Google Sheets

  • February 10, 2025
  • 5 replies
  • 36 views

I’m totally new to Zapier so, please, bear with me :)

There is a cell in a Google Sheets that is a clickable link.  It is not a HYPERLINK formula but rather a simple clickable text.  Client made it this way, it’s out of my control.

The result of my “Lookup Spreadsheet Row” gives me the text of the link but what I need is the URL linked to that text.  I tried different Formatter but none works.  I feel it’s something that should be done inside “Lookup Spreadsheet Row” to say “Hey, that cell is a clickable link.  I want the link, not the text!”.  Is it at all possible?

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5 replies

Troy Tessalone
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  • Zapier Expert
  • 30887 replies
  • February 11, 2025

Hi ​@Lyverbe 

For us to have more info, post screenshot about what you are referring to in the GSheet.


  • Author
  • Beginner
  • 2 replies
  • February 11, 2025

Hi Troy,

I’m referring to this button on the toolbar.

When looking at the edit box, we see that the text is indeed “Example”…

...but that I want is “www.google.com”, not “Example”


JammerS
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  • Zapier Staff
  • 2312 replies
  • February 12, 2025

Hi ​@Lyverbe,

 

The icon you point out on your screenshot is an Insert Link. This feature allows you to create a clickable hyperlink within a cell, making it easier to access external websites or other locations within the sheet. When you insert a link, the cell displays the text you choose, but when clicked, it directs you to the specified URL.

 

You can type in www.google.com on the Google Sheet cell.


  • Author
  • Beginner
  • 2 replies
  • February 12, 2025
  1. I know exactly what this button is for.  That’s not the question.
  2. As I said in the original post, “Client made it this way, it’s out of my control.” so I can’t change to www.google.com

I think you only read my last post and replied to it.  Reading the entire thread (especially the original post) would have been a good idea.


JammerS
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  • Zapier Staff
  • 2312 replies
  • February 13, 2025

Hi ​@Lyverbe,

 

I apologize for the confusion about the issue. You're correct. Zapier only pulls raw data from Google Sheets and doesn't capture hyperlinks embedded in formatted text. This is due to a limitation of the Google Sheets API. However, here are some possible workarounds:

 

Use the HYPERLINK Formula – If you can adjust the spreadsheet, replacing embedded links with the HYPERLINK formula (=HYPERLINK("URL," "Text")) will allow Zapier to extract the URL directly.

Extract URLs Manually – If the spreadsheet can't be changed, you may need to use Google Apps Script or an external tool to extract URLs from hyperlink text and place them in a separate column for Zapier to access.

Use a Webhook or API Approach – If the data source has an API that provides the full hyperlink, you might consider pulling the data from there instead of Google Sheets.

 

I hope this helps! If you're still having trouble, please let us know, and we'll continue to assist you.