"You've Reached the Limit" - Google Sheets Can't Handle Your CSV
Trying to import or merge CSV files in Google Sheets, but hitting the "This spreadsheet has reached the limit of 10,000,000 cells" error.
The Frustration Is Real
Google Sheets has a hard limit: 10 million cells per spreadsheet. This isn't about rows - it's total cells across all sheets.
# Quick math:
100 columns × 100,000 rows = 10,000,000 cells ✓
200 columns × 50,000 rows = 10,000,000 cells ✓
50 columns × 200,000 rows = 10,000,000 cells ✓
What makes it worse:
- •You can't see how many cells you're using until you hit the limit
- •Importing CSVs fills cells with empty strings, wasting your quota
- •The error appears mid-import, leaving you with partial data
- •Deleting sheets doesn't always free up cells immediately
What People Try (That Doesn't Work)
Creating multiple Google Sheets
Now you have data scattered across files. Good luck combining it later.
Upgrading to Google Workspace
Same 10 million cell limit. Paying doesn't increase it.
IMPORTRANGE() to reference other sheets
Still counts against your cell limit. Plus it's slow and breaks easily.
Google Apps Script to process data
Has its own timeout limits (6 minutes). Crashes on large datasets.
Deleting columns you don't need
Manual, error-prone, and you might need those columns later.
The Better Way
Merge your CSV files outside of Google Sheets. No cell limit. No quota. Process locally in your browser.
Why This Works
No Cell Counting
Your browser's memory is the only limit. Merge files with millions of cells without tracking quotas or hitting arbitrary limits.
Completely Private
All processing happens locally. Files never upload to Google or any server. Your data stays on your computer.
Smart Merging
Vertical merge stacks all rows. Horizontal merge joins by a key column (like VLOOKUP but better). Filter, match, or combine - you choose.
Pro Tip: Pre-Filter Before Google Sheets
Merge and filter your CSV files first, then import only the data you actually need into Google Sheets. This keeps you well under the cell limit while giving you the full dataset as a CSV backup.
Merge CSV Files - No Cell Limits
Free tool. No signup. Works in your browser. Unlimited cells.
Start Merging