---
title: "Paste spreadsheet rows into a grid"
canonical_url: "https://www.nutrient.io/guides/workflow-automation/faq/how-can-i-paste-spreadsheet-rows-into-line-items/"
md_url: "https://www.nutrient.io/guides/workflow-automation/faq/how-can-i-paste-spreadsheet-rows-into-line-items.md"
last_updated: "2026-05-23T00:08:18.207Z"
description: "Paste spreadsheet rows into grid forms using the built-in import/export feature or custom JavaScript for data entry automation."
---

# Paste spreadsheet rows into a grid

This guide explains how to paste rows from spreadsheet applications such as Excel or Google Sheets into grid forms. It covers both the native import/export feature and a legacy JavaScript approach for advanced use cases.

## Native import/export feature

The recommended way to import spreadsheet data into grids is using the built-in import/export functionality:

1. **Enable the feature** — In the grid question configuration, check "Enable Import/Export" in the Basics tab

2. **Copy your data** — Select and copy cells from Excel, Google Sheets, or any spreadsheet application

3. **Paste into the grid** — Click in the grid and paste (`Ctrl+V` or `Cmd+V`)

4. **Review and confirm** — A preview dialog shows your data before importing

The native feature supports:

- Copy and paste from Excel, Google Sheets, and other spreadsheet applications

- Import CSV files through the grid menu

- Drag and drop tables and files

- Export grid data to CSV format

- Convert data types automatically (dates, currency, numbers)

- Confirm before importing to prevent accidental data loss

For complete documentation with screenshots and workflows, refer to the [importing and exporting grid data](https://www.nutrient.io/guides/workflow-automation/admin-guide/forms/importing-data-into-grids.md) guide.

## Legacy JavaScript approach

This section documents the previous JavaScript-based workaround for pasting spreadsheet data. This approach is still available for advanced use cases requiring custom behavior.

Before the native import/export feature was available, importing spreadsheet data required custom JavaScript. This approach is still useful when you need specialized paste behavior or custom data transformations beyond what the native feature provides.

To paste spreadsheet rows into a grid, copy data from a spreadsheet and paste it into the rich text field (drop zone). If the data has the same column layout as the grid, the rows will populate successfully.

### Downloadable example

Right-click and save the below files to your desktop. Import the `.json` file as a new form. Use the Excel file to test cutting and pasting into the drop zone on the form.

- [paste-rows-into-grid-form.json](/assets/nutrient-media/guides/workflow-automation/files/1685/paste-rows-into-grid-form.json)

- [purchase_requisition_example.xlsx](/assets/nutrient-media/guides/workflow-automation/files/1685/purchase_requisition_data.xlsx)
---

> Part of [Frequently asked questions](/guides/workflow-automation/faq.md)

## Related pages

- [Connect Nutrient Workflow to an external SQL Server database](/guides/workflow-automation/faq/adding-sql-server-db-to-nutrient-workflow.md)
- [Add tables to email notifications easily](/guides/workflow-automation/faq/adding-tables-to-email-notifications.md)
- [Streamline task management with the Form Assigner](/guides/workflow-automation/faq/assign-future-tasks-with-the-form-assigner.md)
- [Customize your login screen with these easy tips](/guides/workflow-automation/faq/can-i-change-the-login-screen.md)
- [Migrating requests in workflow automation processes](/guides/workflow-automation/faq/can-i-migrate-a-group-of-requests-from-one-version-of-a-process-to-an-updated-version.md)
- [Changing milestone task names in project management](/guides/workflow-automation/faq/can-i-change-the-name-of-a-milestone-task-on-a-process-in-production.md)
- [Authenticate HTML forms with SAML securely](/guides/workflow-automation/faq/can-we-authenticate-with-saml-when-hosting-html-forms-outside-the-nutrient-workflow-portal.md)
- [Streamline file uploads to SharePoint with Nutrient Workflow](/guides/workflow-automation/faq/can-nutrient-workflow-pass-files-into-sharepoint.md)
- [Preventing request ID creation until task completion](/guides/workflow-automation/faq/can-we-prevent-a-new-request-id-from-being-created-until-a-task-completed.md)
- [Mastering the coalesce technique for workflows](/guides/workflow-automation/faq/coalescing-data-ai-an-advanced-nutrient-workflow-technique.md)
- [Master table maintenance with Nutrient Workflow processes](/guides/workflow-automation/faq/creating-a-table-maintenance-process.md)
- [Do disabled users receive notifications in Nutrient Workflow?](/guides/workflow-automation/faq/do-notifications-get-sent-out-to-users-that-have-been-disabled.md)
- [Maximize task management with Nutrient Workflow's solutions](/guides/workflow-automation/faq/does-nutrient-workflow-support-leap-year-dates.md)
- [Streamline onboarding with ad-hoc related requests](/guides/workflow-automation/faq/creating-ad-hoc-related-requests.md)
- [Customize your Nutrient Workflow logo with ease](/guides/workflow-automation/faq/custom-logo.md)
- [Document generation vs. PDF generator in workflow automation](/guides/workflow-automation/faq/document-generation-vs-pdf-generator.md)
- [Understanding task resets and user reassignments](/guides/workflow-automation/faq/does-the-user_recent_activity-store-data-when-a-user-resets-or-re-assign-a-task.md)
- [Efficiently extract grid data for custom tables](/guides/workflow-automation/faq/how-can-i-extract-grid-data-to-add-it-to-custom-tables.md)
- [Embed Outlook and Google calendars in your dashboard](/guides/workflow-automation/faq/embedding-calendars-in-dashboards.md)
- [Access your private database server easily](/guides/workflow-automation/faq/how-do-i-access-my-private-database-server.md)
- [Enable AUTH for secure Nutrient Workflow and Redis setup](/guides/workflow-automation/faq/how-do-i-enable-auth-for-nutrient-workflow-to-redis-communication.md)
- [Force users to change passwords on next login](/guides/workflow-automation/faq/how-do-i-force-a-user-to-change-their-password-on-the-next-login.md)
- [Enhance local communication in your application](/guides/workflow-automation/faq/how-do-i-force-local-communication-within-the-application.md)
- [Import active directory users with ADSync easily](/guides/workflow-automation/faq/how-do-i-import-active-directory-users-into-nutrient-workflow-using-adsync.md)
- [Easily prefill contact search fields in forms](/guides/workflow-automation/faq/how-do-i-prefill-in-a-contact-search.md)
- [Make your process lines straight with grid option](/guides/workflow-automation/faq/how-do-i-make-the-lines-in-a-process-straight.md)
- [How to limit file attachment size in Nutrient Workflow](/guides/workflow-automation/faq/how-do-i-limit-the-allowed-max-file-attachment-size.md)
- [Schedule a process](/guides/workflow-automation/faq/how-do-i-schedule-a-process.md)
- [Editing request details in active workflows](/guides/workflow-automation/faq/how-do-you-edit-request-description-and-other-fields-after-the-workflow-has-started.md)
- [Submit a help ticket at the Nutrient Workflow support site](/guides/workflow-automation/faq/how-do-i-submit-a-support-ticket.md)
- [Understanding user concurrency in Nutrient Workflow](/guides/workflow-automation/faq/how-is-user-concurrency-determined-for-my-installation.md)
- [Clear browser cache for smooth workflow](/guides/workflow-automation/faq/how-to-clear-your-browser-cache.md)
- [Master dynamic task and request naming effectively](/guides/workflow-automation/faq/how-to-configure-dynamic-task-and-request-names.md)
- [How to reset your Nutrient Workflow password easily](/guides/workflow-automation/faq/i-forgot-my-password.md)
- [Edit request names seamlessly with dynamic names](/guides/workflow-automation/faq/is-there-a-way-to-edit-the-name-of-a-request-after-it-has-been-submitted.md)
- [Automate your report from a set starting date](/guides/workflow-automation/faq/i-would-like-to-set-a-report-to-run-from-a-set-date-say-1-1-15-through-the-current-day-today-how-can-i-set-my-report-to-do.md)
- [Understanding account lockout rules in Nutrient Workflow](/guides/workflow-automation/faq/is-there-any-way-to-configure-account-lockout-rules.md)
- [Understanding requesters vs. recipients in workflows](/guides/workflow-automation/faq/the-difference-between-a-requester-and-a-recipient.md)
- [Understanding time_out configuration in workflow automation](/guides/workflow-automation/faq/is-there-any-negative-impact-if-we-change-the-time_out-configuration-on-a-task-in-a-process-in-status-production.md)
- [Understanding the Nutrient Workflow and PSPDFKit acquisition](/guides/workflow-automation/faq/pspdfkit-acquisition.md)
- [Optimize your workflow with Microsoft Nutrient Workflow integration](/guides/workflow-automation/faq/nutrient-workflow-integrate-microsoft-products.md)
- [Upgrade your select list fields for better forms](/guides/workflow-automation/faq/upgrading-select-list-fields.md)
- [Streamline task assignments with Assigner tasks](/guides/workflow-automation/faq/using-assigner-tasks.md)
- [Optimize your workflows with Excel integration](/guides/workflow-automation/faq/using-excel-to-enhance-your-automation.md)
- [Best practices for testing workflows in Nutrient Workflow](/guides/workflow-automation/faq/what-are-best-practices-for-testing-in-nutrient-workflow.md)
- [Key steps for successful Nutrient Workflow load balancing](/guides/workflow-automation/faq/what-do-i-need-to-change-when-i-load-balance-nutrient-workflow.md)
- [Discover Nutrient Workflow's browser compatibility](/guides/workflow-automation/faq/what-browsers-does-nutrient-workflow-support.md)
- [Enhance your subscription with admin coaching support](/guides/workflow-automation/faq/what-is-admin-coaching.md)
- [Understanding character limits for form inputs](/guides/workflow-automation/faq/what-character-limits-apply-to-the-form-input-fields.md)
- [What Does 'Create a Copy of this Request' Do?](/guides/workflow-automation/faq/what-does-aucreate-a-copy-of-this-request-au-do.md)
- [Expert advanced technical support for Nutrient Workflow](/guides/workflow-automation/faq/what-is-advanced-technical-support-ats.md)
- [Understanding the iapprove master root account](/guides/workflow-automation/faq/what-is-the-iapprove-account.md)
- [What is 'Submit on Behalf of:' when starting a new request?](/guides/workflow-automation/faq/what-is-submit-on-behalf-of-when-starting-a-new-request.md)
- [What is the difference between Monitor and Manage Requests?](/guides/workflow-automation/faq/what-is-the-difference-between-monitor-and-manage-requests.md)
- [Best practices for archiving request data](/guides/workflow-automation/faq/what-is-the-best-practice-for-archiving-request-data-eg-attachments.md)
- [Streamline workflows with the PDF Generator Task](/guides/workflow-automation/faq/what-is-the-pdf-generator-task.md)
- [Understanding Nutrient Workflow log files for troubleshooting](/guides/workflow-automation/faq/where-are-the-logs-for-my-onpremise-installation-what-do-they-contain-and-what-should-i-look-out-for.md)
- [Fixing missing fields in form data settings](/guides/workflow-automation/faq/why-are-fields-from-my-form-not-showing-up-in-data-configurations.md)
- [Future logging features for workflow automation](/guides/workflow-automation/faq/when-a-nutrient-workflow-administrator-performs-a-task-resets-or-redo-completion-is-there-a-logging-table-where-this-information-is-st.md)
- [Essential guide to workflow versioning](/guides/workflow-automation/faq/when-to-version-a-production-workflow.md)
- [Enhance Nutrient Workflow security with two-factor authentication](/guides/workflow-automation/faq/does-nutrient-workflow-support-two-factor-authentication.md)