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Delete Sheet

Delete individual sheets/tabs from a spreadsheet or delete entire spreadsheet files from Google Drive.

Overview​

The Delete Sheet tool allows you to:

  • Delete sheets/tabs within a spreadsheet (removes one tab, keeps spreadsheet)
  • Delete entire spreadsheets (removes file from Google Drive permanently)

⚠️ Warning: Deletion is permanent and cannot be undone. Double-check spreadsheet_id and sheet names before deleting.

Prerequisites​

  • A connected Google Account with OAuth authentication
  • Google Sheets API enabled in your Google Cloud project
  • Google Drive API enabled (for delete_spreadsheet operation)
  • Setup Guide

Usage​

Delete a Sheet/Tab​

Remove a single sheet/tab from a spreadsheet:

{
  "tool": "google_sheets_Delete_Sheet",
  "arguments": {
    "spreadsheet_id": "1abcDEFgHIjklMNOpQrStUvWxYz",
    "operation": "delete_sheet",
    "sheet_identifier": "Old Data",
    "sheet_identifier_type": "name"
  }
}

Delete Entire Spreadsheet​

Permanently delete spreadsheet file from Google Drive:

{
  "tool": "google_sheets_Delete_Sheet",
  "arguments": {
    "spreadsheet_id": "1abcDEFgHIjklMNOpQrStUvWxYz",
    "operation": "delete_spreadsheet"
  }
}

Delete Sheet by ID​

Use sheet ID instead of name:

{
  "tool": "google_sheets_Delete_Sheet",
  "arguments": {
    "spreadsheet_id": "1abcDEFgHIjklMNOpQrStUvWxYz",
    "operation": "delete_sheet",
    "sheet_identifier": "123456",
    "sheet_identifier_type": "id"
  }
}

Input Parameters​

ParameterTypeRequiredDefaultDescription
spreadsheet_idstringYes-Spreadsheet ID from URL
operationstringYesdelete_sheetdelete_sheet (remove tab) or delete_spreadsheet (remove file)
sheet_identifierstringConditional-Sheet name or ID. Required when operation is delete_sheet
sheet_identifier_typestringNonamename or id

Response Format​

Success Response (Delete Sheet)​

{
  "success": true,
  "message": "Sheet deleted successfully",
  "spreadsheet_id": "1abcDEFgHIjklMNOpQrStUvWxYz",
  "spreadsheet_url": "https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/...",
  "operation": "delete_sheet",
  "deleted_sheet": {
    "sheet_id": 123456,
    "title": "Old Data"
  },
  "remaining_sheets": ["Sheet1", "Data", "Summary"]
}

Success Response (Delete Spreadsheet)​

{
  "success": true,
  "message": "Spreadsheet deleted successfully",
  "spreadsheet_id": "1abcDEFgHIjklMNOpQrStUvWxYz",
  "operation": "delete_spreadsheet",
  "deleted_spreadsheet": {
    "title": "2024 Q4 Report"
  }
}

Error Handling​

Sheet Not Found​

Error:

{
  "error": "Sheet 'Old Data' not found in spreadsheet. Available sheets: Sheet1, Data, Summary"
}

Solution: Check sheet name spelling (case-sensitive) or use Get Spreadsheet Metadata tool to list available sheets.

Spreadsheet Not Found​

Error: Resource not found: Spreadsheet not found

Solution: Verify spreadsheet_id is correct and you have access to the spreadsheet.

Permission Denied​

Error: Insufficient permissions to delete this spreadsheet

Solution: You must be the owner or have edit access. Check spreadsheet sharing settings.

Missing sheet_identifier​

Error: sheet_identifier is required when operation is 'delete_sheet'

Solution: Provide sheet name or ID when using delete_sheet operation.

How to Get Sheet Names/IDs​

Use the Get Spreadsheet Metadata tool (coming soon) or check manually:

  1. Open spreadsheet in browser
  2. Look at sheet tabs at bottom
  3. Sheet name is visible on each tab

For sheet IDs:

  1. Click on sheet tab
  2. Check URL: ...#gid=123456 (123456 is sheet ID)

Use Cases​

1. Clean Up Old Monthly Reports​

Delete previous month's sheet:

{
  "tool": "google_sheets_Delete_Sheet",
  "arguments": {
    "spreadsheet_id": "1abcDEFg...",
    "operation": "delete_sheet",
    "sheet_identifier": "November 2024"
  }
}

2. Remove Entire Outdated Spreadsheet​

Delete old spreadsheet file:

{
  "tool": "google_sheets_Delete_Sheet",
  "arguments": {
    "spreadsheet_id": "1abcDEFg...",
    "operation": "delete_spreadsheet"
  }
}

3. Remove Test/Scratch Sheets​

Clean up test sheets:

{
  "tool": "google_sheets_Delete_Sheet",
  "arguments": {
    "spreadsheet_id": "1abcDEFg...",
    "operation": "delete_sheet",
    "sheet_identifier": "Test Sheet"
  }
}

Limitations​

  1. Permanent Deletion - No undo, no trash/recycle bin
  2. No Batch Delete - One sheet/spreadsheet per call
  3. Owner/Editor Only - Requires edit permissions
  4. Cannot Delete Last Sheet - Google Sheets requires at least one sheet (API will return error)

Safety Tips​

⚠️ Important Safety Recommendations:

  1. Double-check before deleting - Verify spreadsheet_id and sheet_identifier
  2. Test with non-critical data first - Practice on test spreadsheets
  3. Keep backups - Make a copy of your spreadsheet before deleting
  4. Verify remaining sheets - Check response's remaining_sheets list after deletion
  5. Use descriptive sheet names - Makes it easier to identify correct sheet to delete

Credits Cost​

1 credit per operation (regardless of delete_sheet or delete_spreadsheet)