Google Sheets to PDF: URL Query Parameters Explained

Google Sheets provides a flexible way to export your spreadsheets as PDFs by appending URL query parameters. These parameters let you control everything from the export format to page layout, margins, gridlines, and even specific cell ranges. In this guide, we’ll explain every field in detail, including all possible values, so you can fully customize your PDF export.

Overview of the Export URL

The base URL for exporting a Google Sheet as a PDF looks like this: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/SPREADSHEET_ID/export?PARAMETERS

• SPREADSHEET_ID: The unique identifier of your Google Sheet.
• PARAMETERS: A series of query parameters that control the PDF output.

Below is a detailed explanation of each available parameter.

Detailed Explanation of URL Parameters

1. Export Format

   • Parameter: &format=pdf
   • Description: Specifies the file format for the export.
   • Possible Values: Only pdf is supported for PDF export.

2. Sheet ID

   • Parameter: &gid=1732160294
   • Description: Identifies the specific sheet (tab) within your spreadsheet to export.
   • Possible Values: Any valid sheet ID, which you can find in your URL when viewing the sheet.

3. Paper Size

   • Parameter: &size=a4
   • Description: Determines the paper size for the PDF.
   • Possible Values:
     • A3
     • A4
     • A5
     • B4
     • B5
     • letter
     • tabloid
     • legal
     • statement
     • executive
     • folio

4. Page Orientation

   • Parameter: &portrait=false
   • Description: Sets the page orientation.
   • Possible Values:
     • true – Portrait
     • false – Landscape

5. Scale

   • Parameter: &scale=1
   • Description: Adjusts the scaling of the spreadsheet content in the PDF.
   • Possible Values:
     • 1 – Normal (100%)
     • 2 – Fit to width
     • 3 – Fit to height
     • 4 – Fit to page

6. Margins

   All four margins must be explicitly set (in inches):

   • &top_margin=0.00
     Top margin.

   • &bottom_margin=0.00
     Bottom margin.

   • &left_margin=0.00
     Left margin.

   • &right_margin=0.00
     Right margin.

7. Gridlines

   • Parameter: &gridlines=false
   • Description: Controls whether gridlines are included in the PDF.
   • Possible Values:
     • true – Show gridlines
     • false – Hide gridlines

8. Print Notes

   • Parameter: &printnotes=false
   • Description: Determines if comments/notes are printed.
   • Possible Values:
     • true – Include notes
     • false – Exclude notes

9. Print Title

   • Parameter: &printtitle=false
   • Description: Controls whether the title is printed on the PDF.
   • Possible Values:
     • true – Show title
     • false – Hide title

10. Sheet Names

    • Parameter: &sheetnames=false
    • Description: Decides if the sheet name should be printed on the PDF.
    • Possible Values:
      • true – Show sheet names
      • false – Hide sheet names

11. Page Order

    • Parameter: &pageorder=2
    • Description: Sets the order in which pages are printed.
    • Possible Values:
      • 1 – Down, then over
      • 2 – Over, then down

12. Horizontal Alignment

    • Parameter: &horizontal_alignment=CENTER
    • Description: Specifies how content is aligned horizontally on the page.
    • Possible Values:
      • LEFT
      • CENTER
      • RIGHT

13. Vertical Alignment

    • Parameter: &vertical_alignment=TOP
    • Description: Specifies how content is aligned vertically on the page.
    • Possible Values:
      • TOP
      • MIDDLE
      • BOTTOM

14. Page Numbering

    • Parameter: &pagenum=UNDEFINED
    • Description: Controls the appearance of page numbers on the PDF.
    • Possible Values:
      • CENTER – Page numbers centered
      • UNDEFINED – No page numbers displayed

15. Frozen Rows and Columns

    • Frozen Rows: &fzr=false
      • Description: Determines whether frozen rows are printed.
      • Possible Values: true or false
    • Frozen Columns: &fzc=false
      • Description: Determines whether frozen columns are printed.
      • Possible Values: true or false

16. Attachment

    • Parameter: &attachment=false
    • Description: Controls file delivery.
    • Possible Values:
      • true – Forces the file to be downloaded.
      • false – Opens the file in the browser.

17. Print Range (Row & Column Selection)

    • Starting Row: &r1=0
      • Description: Specifies the starting row (zero-indexed; row 1 is 0, row 7 is 6).
    • Starting Column: &c1=0
      • Description: Specifies the starting column (zero-indexed).
    • Ending Row: &r2=5
      • Description: Specifies the ending row.
    • Ending Column: &c2=5
      • Description: Specifies the ending column.

JavaScript Example: Constructing the Export URL

Below is an example of how to construct the complete export URL in JavaScript, incorporating all the parameters:

const spreadsheetId = "id_of_your_spreadsheet";
const gid = "1732160294";
const size = "a4";
const portrait = "false";
const scale = "1";
const top_margin = "0.00";
const bottom_margin = "0.00";
const left_margin = "0.00";
const right_margin = "0.00";
const gridlines = "false";
const printnotes = "false";
const printtitle = "false";
const sheetnames = "false";
const pageorder = "2";
const horizontal_alignment = "CENTER";
const vertical_alignment = "TOP";
const pagenum = "UNDEFINED";
const fzr = "false";
const fzc = "false";
const attachment = "false";
const r1 = "0";
const c1 = "0";
const r2 = "5";
const c2 = "5";

const url =
    `https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/${spreadsheetId}/export?format=pdf` +
    `&gid=${gid}` +
    `&size=${size}` +
    `&portrait=${portrait}` +
    `&scale=${scale}` +
    `&top_margin=${top_margin}` +
    `&bottom_margin=${bottom_margin}` +
    `&left_margin=${left_margin}` +
    `&right_margin=${right_margin}` +
    `&gridlines=${gridlines}` +
    `&printnotes=${printnotes}` +
    `&printtitle=${printtitle}` +
    `&sheetnames=${sheetnames}` +
    `&pageorder=${pageorder}` +
    `&horizontal_alignment=${horizontal_alignment}` +
    `&vertical_alignment=${vertical_alignment}` +
    `&pagenum=${pagenum}` +
    `&fzr=${fzr}` +
    `&fzc=${fzc}` +
    `&attachment=${attachment}` +
    `&r1=${r1}` +
    `&c1=${c1}` +
    `&r2=${r2}` +
    `&c2=${c2}`;

console.log(url);

This code dynamically builds a URL for exporting a Google Sheet as a PDF with all the customizations specified by the parameters.

Conclusion

Using URL query parameters for Google Sheets PDF export gives you full control over the final output. Whether you need to adjust the paper size, margins, orientation, or print a specific range, these parameters let you tailor the PDF to your exact needs. With the detailed explanations and JavaScript example provided, you should now be equipped to create and modify export URLs for your Google Sheets, making automated report generation and document sharing a breeze.