Tracking cryptocurrency prices in real time is essential for investors, traders, and analysts who want to stay ahead of fast-moving markets. While many platforms offer price data, integrating that information directly into Google Sheets allows for powerful customization, automated analysis, and portfolio tracking—all within a familiar interface. The best part? You can do it for free using a public API and a simple add-on.
This guide walks you through how to import live cryptocurrency prices into Google Sheets using a free API, without writing a single line of code. Whether you're building a personal dashboard or managing a diversified crypto portfolio, this method streamlines your workflow and enhances decision-making.
Why Pull Crypto Prices Into Google Sheets?
Google Sheets is more than just a spreadsheet tool—it’s a dynamic platform for financial modeling, data visualization, and automated reporting. By connecting it to a real-time cryptocurrency API, you unlock several advantages:
- Real-time market monitoring: Track price changes as they happen.
- Custom portfolio valuation: Automatically calculate the total value of your holdings.
- Historical trend analysis: Combine live data with past records to spot patterns.
- Automated alerts and triggers: Set conditional formatting or email notifications based on price thresholds.
With the right setup, your spreadsheet becomes a live crypto dashboard.
👉 Discover how to turn Google Sheets into a real-time crypto tracker with just one click.
Choosing the Right Free Cryptocurrency API
The first step is selecting an API that provides accurate, up-to-date cryptocurrency pricing data. Look for one that offers:
- Real-time price, market cap, and volume data
- Support for major coins (Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.) and altcoins
- Multiple fiat currency conversions (USD, EUR, GBP)
- No cost for basic usage (free tier)
One reliable option is the CoinGecko API, which is completely free, requires no API key for basic requests, and returns JSON-formatted data ideal for spreadsheet integration.
Other popular choices include:
- CoinMarketCap (requires free API key)
- CryptoCompare (generous free tier)
- Binance Public API (exchange-specific but highly reliable)
These APIs allow you to fetch data like:
{
"bitcoin": { "usd": 67200.45 },
"ethereum": { "usd": 3580.20 }
}This structured format makes it easy to parse and display in Google Sheets.
Introducing Apipheny: The No-Code API Connector
Manually fetching and parsing API responses would be time-consuming. That’s where Apipheny comes in—a free Google Sheets add-on that lets you pull data from any REST API with just a few clicks.
Key Benefits of Apipheny:
- No coding required
- One-click installation from the Google Workspace Marketplace
- Supports GET, POST, and authenticated API requests
- Auto-scheduling for recurring data refreshes (every 1, 5, or 10 minutes)
- Easy header and parameter configuration
Once installed, Apipheny appears as a sidebar in your sheet, allowing you to configure API calls without leaving your workbook.
👉 Start pulling live crypto prices into Google Sheets—no coding needed.
Step-by-Step: Importing Live Crypto Prices
Follow these steps to get real-time cryptocurrency prices in your Google Sheet.
Step 1: Install Apipheny
- Open Google Sheets.
- Click Extensions > Add-ons > Get add-ons.
- Search for “Apipheny” and install it.
- Restart your sheet and open Apipheny from Extensions > Apipheny > Start.
Step 2: Choose Your API Endpoint
For CoinGecko’s simple price endpoint:
https://api.coingecko.com/api/v3/simple/price?ids=bitcoin,ethereum&vs_currencies=usd&include_market_cap=true&include_24hr_vol=trueThis URL retrieves:
- Bitcoin and Ethereum prices in USD
- Their current market caps
- 24-hour trading volumes
You can customize the ids and vs_currencies parameters to include more coins or currencies.
Step 3: Paste the URL into Apipheny
- In the Apipheny sidebar, paste the full API URL.
- Set the method to GET.
- Leave headers blank (not required for CoinGecko).
- Choose a destination cell (e.g., A1).
Step 4: Run the Request
Click Run, and within seconds, your sheet will populate with structured JSON data converted into rows and columns.
Example output:
| bitcoin.usd | bitcoin.market_cap | bitcoin.total_volume | ethereum.usd | ethereum.market_cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 67200.45 | 1328901234567 | 28901234567 | 3580.20 | 430123456789 |
Step 5: Automate Updates
In Apipheny, click Auto-run > Set auto-refresh and choose an interval (e.g., every 5 minutes). Now your data updates automatically.
Enhancing Your Crypto Dashboard
Now that you have live data, take it further:
- Calculate portfolio value: Multiply current prices by your coin quantities.
- Create charts: Visualize price trends over time with line graphs.
- Set price alerts: Use conditional formatting to highlight when BTC exceeds $70K.
- Compare across currencies: Pull prices in USD, EUR, and JPY simultaneously.
You can also merge data from multiple API calls—track DeFi tokens, NFT floor prices, or exchange rates—all in one workbook.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I use a cryptocurrency API without an API key?
Yes, some APIs like CoinGecko allow unauthenticated requests for basic price data. However, APIs like CoinMarketCap require a free key to access their endpoints.
Is Apipheny really free?
Yes, Apipheny has a robust free plan suitable for most personal use cases. Paid plans offer advanced features like faster refresh rates and multi-step workflows.
How often can I update crypto prices?
With Apipheny’s free version, you can auto-refresh every 1–10 minutes depending on your needs and API rate limits.
Can I track my own crypto portfolio value?
Absolutely. Once prices are imported, link them to your holdings column and use formulas like =B2*C2 (price × quantity) to compute asset values and sum totals.
What if the API stops working?
Most issues stem from exceeded rate limits or incorrect URLs. Double-check your endpoint syntax and consider switching to an API with higher free-tier limits if needed.
Is my data secure when using Apipheny?
Yes. Apipheny does not store your spreadsheet data. All requests are made client-side through Google’s secure add-on framework.
👉 Turn your Google Sheet into a powerful crypto analytics tool today.
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- Cryptocurrency prices
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- Apipheny
- Portfolio tracking
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By leveraging these keywords naturally throughout your content, you improve search visibility while maintaining readability and user engagement.
With minimal setup and no programming skills, you can transform Google Sheets into a dynamic cryptocurrency tracking system. From real-time pricing to automated portfolio calculations, this method empowers both beginners and experienced investors to make informed decisions—fast.
Whether you're monitoring Bitcoin’s next move or evaluating altcoin performance, integrating a free crypto API with Google Sheets via Apipheny is a smart, scalable solution.