A Live Worksheet is a Google Sheet connected to Scoop that enables powerful spreadsheet-based analysis with live data integration. Unlike standard spreadsheets, Live Worksheets sync with Scoop in real-time, allowing you to build dynamic models that automatically update with fresh data.

What Live Worksheets Enable

How Live Worksheets Work

Live Worksheets leverage a three-tier caching system for fast, reliable access:

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                    Your Browser                          │
│                         ↕                                │
│  ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐│
│  │              Memory Cache (fastest)                 ││
│  │                       ↕                             ││
│  │              S3 Cache (backup)                      ││
│  │                       ↕                             ││
│  │           Google Sheets (source of truth)           ││
│  └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘│
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Scoop monitors Google Sheets for changes every few seconds, automatically syncing updates. When you edit a cell in Google Sheets, the change appears in Scoop almost immediately.

Creating a New Live Worksheet

Navigate to the Live Worksheets page by clicking the last icon in the icon bar, then click New Live Worksheet.

Creation Options

When uploading an Excel file:

• Scoop converts it to Google Sheets format
• All formulas are preserved and recalculated
• Named ranges are automatically imported
• The original file remains unchanged

After Creation

Your new Live Worksheet:

• Opens in Google Sheets in a new tab
• Is linked to your Scoop workspace
• Supports the Scoop for Sheets plugin
• Can be embedded in canvases as sheetlets

Live Worksheet Capabilities

1. Data Import with Scoop for Sheets

Use the plugin to create queries that populate sheets with Scoop data:

1. Install the Scoop for Sheets plugin (see Installing Scoop for Sheets)
2. Open the plugin from Extensions → Scoop for Sheets
3. Create a query selecting your dataset and columns
4. Execute to populate a sheet with live data

2. Named Ranges on Canvases

Any named range in your worksheet can be displayed on a canvas:

1. Create a named range in Google Sheets (Data → Named ranges)
2. Add a Sheetlet to your canvas
3. Select your Live Worksheet and named range
4. The range displays with full editing capability

See Embedding Named Ranges for details.

3. Formula-Based Calculations

Live Worksheets support full Excel/Google Sheets formula syntax:

• Standard functions: SUM, AVERAGE, IF, VLOOKUP, etc.
• Date functions: TODAY, EOMONTH, NETWORKDAYS
• Financial functions: NPV, IRR, PMT
• Text functions: CONCAT, LEFT, MID, SUBSTITUTE
• Logical functions: AND, OR, NOT, IFS

Formulas calculate in real-time as data changes.

4. Visualization from Spreadsheet Data

Create charts based on worksheet tables:

1. Click "Create from worksheet" in Explorer
2. Select the data range
3. Choose metrics and dimensions
4. Scoop creates a visualization that updates with the spreadsheet

Common Use Cases

Financial Modeling

Build financial models that pull actuals from Scoop datasets:

┌──────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Revenue Forecast Model                    │
├──────────────────┬───────────────────────┤
│ Actual Revenue   │ =SUM(ScoopData!B:B)   │  ← From Scoop dataset
│ Growth Rate      │ 12%                   │  ← Manual assumption
│ Forecast         │ =B2*(1+B3)            │  ← Calculated
└──────────────────┴───────────────────────┘

Budget vs. Actual Analysis

Compare budget assumptions against real-time actuals:

1. Enter budget figures manually
2. Pull actual data via Scoop for Sheets
3. Calculate variances with formulas
4. Display on canvas for stakeholder review

What-If Scenarios

Create interactive models where changing one cell cascades through calculations:

• Change growth rate → See updated revenue projections
• Adjust pricing → Watch margin calculations update
• Modify headcount → View budget impact instantly

KPI Dashboards

Build dashboards with calculations that Scoop's standard analytics can't provide:

• Custom weighted scores
• Complex conditional logic
• Multi-step calculations
• Rolling averages with specific lookback periods

Best Practices

Organization

• Use descriptive names for worksheets and ranges
• Group related calculations on the same sheet
• Create a "Assumptions" area for editable inputs
• Use named ranges for all data referenced in canvases

Performance

• Keep formulas simple when possible
• Avoid volatile functions (NOW, RAND) in frequently-accessed ranges
• Limit the number of Scoop queries per workbook
• Use structured tables for large datasets

Collaboration

• Live Worksheets are standard Google Sheets—share via Google
• Scoop users see the same data through canvas sheetlets
• Changes made in Google Sheets appear in Scoop (and vice versa)

Plugin Requirement

The Scoop for Sheets plugin only works with Live Worksheets. Attempting to use the plugin with a non-linked Google Sheet produces an error. This ensures all Scoop data integrations are properly managed and secured.

Related Topics

• Google Sheets Plugin - Query Scoop datasets from your spreadsheet
• Embedding Named Ranges - Display ranges on canvases
• Installing Scoop for Sheets - Plugin setup