Advancedadvanced4 min read

Working with Multi-Sheet Excel Workbooks in Unsheet

Unsheet extracts all sheets from multi-tab Excel workbooks. Learn how sheet extraction works and what to expect with complex workbook structures.

How Multi-Sheet Extraction Works

When you upload an .xlsx file with multiple sheets (tabs):

  1. Unsheet reads all sheet names from the workbook
  2. Each sheet's data (including formulas) is extracted as a separate 2D grid
  3. The API response includes a sheets object mapping sheet names to their data grids, and a sheet_names array
  4. Currently, the first sheet is used for UI generation and rendering

Best Practices for Multi-Sheet Workbooks

  • Put your primary data in Sheet 1 — This is what the AI will analyse and render
  • Use lookup formulas carefully — Cross-sheet references (e.g., =Sheet2!A1) are extracted but may not resolve in the single-sheet HyperFormula instance
  • Keep summary/dashboard data on Sheet 1 — If your workbook has a summary tab, make it the first sheet

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does Unsheet support multiple sheets in an Excel file?
Yes. Unsheet extracts data from all sheets in a workbook. Currently, the AI generates the UI from the first sheet. Additional sheet data is stored and accessible.

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