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

Capability	Description
Scoop Data Integration	Pull data from any Scoop dataset into your spreadsheet using the Scoop for Sheets plugin
Canvas Embedding	Display and edit named ranges directly on canvases (sheetlets)
Real-Time Sync	Changes sync automatically between Google Sheets and Scoop
Dynamic Visualization	Create charts and tables based on spreadsheet data
What-If Analysis	Change assumptions and see results update instantly
Calculated Columns	Define formulas that process dataset columns row-by-row

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

Option	Description	Best For
Create New	Scoop creates a fresh Google Sheet	Starting from scratch
Upload Excel	Import an existing .xlsx workbook	Migrating existing models

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:

Install the Scoop for Sheets plugin (see Installing Scoop for Sheets)
Open the plugin from Extensions → Scoop for Sheets
Create a query selecting your dataset and columns
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:

Create a named range in Google Sheets (Data → Named ranges)
Add a Sheetlet to your canvas
Select your Live Worksheet and named range
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:

Click "Create from worksheet" in Explorer
Select the data range
Choose metrics and dimensions
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:

Enter budget figures manually
Pull actual data via Scoop for Sheets
Calculate variances with formulas
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.

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

Creating a Live Worksheet