Configure Data Source Sync Time and Google Sheets Refresh for the Latest Data
Keeping your marketing data up-to-date is crucial for accurate reporting and analysis. This guide will walk you through configuring your data source sync time and Google Sheets scheduled refresh to ensure you're always working with the most recent data.
Understanding Data Source Sync Time
Power My Analytics automatically warehouses the latest data from your connected sources nightly. Here's how it works:
- Data is updated at midnight in the time zone you've selected for each source.
- Set the sync time in the Sources section of the hub under "Sync Time."
For example: If you select America/New York, data warehousing occurs at midnight ET (UTC -4:00).
Exceptions: Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube connectors have fixed sync times. Pinterest is fixed at midnight UTC, and Facebook, Instagram and YouTube are fixed at midnight PT (UTC -8:00).
Configuring Google Sheets Scheduled Refresh
To ensure your Google Sheets reports contain the most recent data:
- Access the PMA spreadsheets add-on in Google Sheets.
- Click the alarm clock icon to set up a scheduled refresh.
- Choose your refresh frequency:
- Monthly, weekly, daily, or hourly (Enterprise plan only)
- Select the time of day for the refresh
The scheduled refresh uses the individual Google spreadsheet's time zone setting.
Setting Your Spreadsheet Time Zone
To align your spreadsheet with your data source:
- Open the File menu in Google Sheets.
- Click Settings > General tab > Time Zone.
- Set the time zone to match your data source's sync time.
Timing Your Scheduled Refresh
For optimal results:
- Allow a minimum of 2 hours after the nightly data warehousing begins.
- For example, if your data source syncs at midnight ET, schedule your spreadsheet refresh for 2:00 AM ET or later.
Caution: If the nightly warehousing is incomplete before your spreadsheet refresh, you may not see the latest data in your spreadsheet.
Best Practices for Syncing and Refreshing
- Align time zones: Set your spreadsheet time zone to match your data source's sync time.
- Buffer time: Schedule refreshes at least 2 hours after data warehousing begins.
- Monitor updates: Regularly check that your reports are displaying the most recent data.
Still having issues?
Send us a ticket and we will get back to you.
Related Articles
Unable to Schedule Refresh in Google Sheets
This article will address the following error: Unable to schedule refresh in Google Sheets. Error shown is "Exception: Bad Value." Cause Google Sheets requires you to set a Time Zone. Additionally, you must be a member of the report's hub in order to ...Google Sheets Data Integration Guide
Integrate your marketing data into Google Sheets to build custom reports and dashboards. This guide will walk through how to install the Sheets add-on, create reports, edit reports, refresh data, and more. Install the Google Sheets Add-on To install ...Google Sheets Error: "Exception: Service Timed Out: Spreadsheets" or "Service Spreadsheets timed out when accessing document"
When using the Power My Analytics spreadsheets add-on in Google Sheets, you may encounter a timeout error that prevents your reports from refreshing. This guide will help you understand the cause of this error and provide a straightforward solution ...Installing the Power My Analytics Add-on for Google Sheets
If you'd like to merge and manipulate data from popular sales and advertising platforms with Google Sheets to create insightful and automated reporting, follow the instructions below to install and launch the Power My Analytics Sheets Data Connector. ...Missing Data in Google Sheets Report
This article will assist with the following issue: A Google Sheets report is missing data or does not show enough data for a date range. Cause Power My Analytics' Google Sheets connector defaults to a 1,000 row limit. Solution Check the sidebar under ...