Read Cell Formula
Description
Reads the formula from a cell in a Google Sheet.
Unlike reading the cell value, this activity returns the underlying formula expression rather than the calculated result.
Common Capabilities
Process Data Support
This activity supports dynamic configuration using variables from the Process Data drawer.
You can bind values from Model Data, Form Data, System Data, Enterprise Variables, and Activity Outputs.
Learn more → Using Process Data
Design-Time Configuration
Display Text
A user-defined name for the activity, displayed on the workflow canvas to help identify its purpose.
Connection Name
The configured Google Sheets connection used to access Google Sheets resources.
Spreadsheet
The spreadsheet containing the cell to read.
Sheet Name
The name of the sheet where the operation will be performed.
If not specified, the currently active sheet is used.
Cell Address
The cell whose formula will be read.
For details about selecting spreadsheets, sheets, and cells, see Google Sheets Data Selection.
Wait All Incoming
Controls how this activity behaves when multiple incoming execution paths converge.
Determines whether the activity executes when:
- Any incoming path completes, or
- All relevant incoming paths complete before execution
Learn more → Execution Control
On Error
Defines how the workflow behaves if this activity encounters a runtime error.
Supported strategies include:
- Fault
- Continue
- Suspend
- Retry
Output
Formula
The formula contained in the specified cell.
Example:
=SUM(A1:A10)
If the cell does not contain a formula, the returned value is empty.
Remarks
- The authenticated Google account must have access to the spreadsheet.
- This activity returns the underlying formula expression rather than the calculated cell value.
- Formula results are not evaluated or calculated by this activity.
- If the target cell contains a static value instead of a formula, no formula is returned.
- To read the calculated value of a cell, use the Read Cell activity.