Invoices into Google Sheets
CSV import into Sheets is where good extraction goes to die: amounts become text, dates shift by months, and the currency column turns into a mix of symbols and words.
Set the locale before importing
File → Settings → Locale. If your invoices are UK-formatted and the sheet is US, 03/04 becomes March instead of April. This one setting prevents the most common error we see.
Watch the amount column
After import, numbers align right; text aligns left. If your amounts are left-aligned, Sheets imported them as text and SUM will return zero. Fix with Format → Number before you build any formula.
Three formulas worth adding
A monthly total with SUMIFS on date and category, a duplicate flag with COUNTIF on a concatenated date+amount key, and a running balance. That is a complete bookkeeping sheet.
Share safely
A Google Sheet is a cloud document. Share with your accountant using a specific address, not 'anyone with the link', especially if it contains supplier names and amounts.
Common questions
Can I import .xlsx into Sheets?
Yes, and it preserves formatting better than CSV.
Why did my dates go wrong?
Locale mismatch between the CSV and the sheet. Set the locale first, then import.
Does Sheets keep a version history?
Yes, which is genuinely useful for audit questions — you can see what changed and when.