Guide · Agent skill
How to use the Compare Google Sheets Tabs agent skill
Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data
The Compare Google Sheets Tabs skill (recipe-compare-sheet-tabs) lets an AI agent read the cell data from two tabs of a Google Sheet and report what differs between them. It is written for people who want to check, for example, what changed between a January tab and a February tab that share the same layout. This guide explains what the skill does, how to install it, how to ask for it in plain language, and what to watch out for.
Compare Google Sheets Tabsgoogleworkspace/cli · Apache-2.0 Download the skill Quick start
- 1Install gws and the gws-sheets skill. Set up the gws command-line tool and the gws-sheets skill, since this recipe depends on both.
- 2Download the skill ZIP. Get the ZIP from the skill's page on this site. It contains SKILL.md.
- 3Unzip into the skills folder. Extract it into ~/.claude/skills/ for all projects, or into .claude/skills/ inside a project folder.
- 4Or upload it in the Claude apps. Open Settings, go to Capabilities, and upload the skill under Skills.
- 5Ask for a comparison. Name the spreadsheet and the two tabs, and say what you want to know, such as which rows changed.
- 6Check the result. Spot-check a few reported differences against the sheet, especially if the data extends beyond columns A to D.
What the skill makes the agent do
An agent skill is a set of written instructions that an AI agent can load when a task matches it. This one is a short recipe. It tells the agent to read two tabs of a Google Sheet, then compare the data and identify changes.
The skill does not access Google Sheets by itself. It relies on the separate gws-sheets skill and the gws command-line tool (Google Workspace CLI) to open the spreadsheet. Authentication is handled by gws, so you need access to the target spreadsheet through your Google account.
- Reads the first tab with gws sheets +read over the range A1:D
- Reads the second tab over the same range A1:D
- Compares the two sets of data and points out changes
Install the Compare Google Sheets Tabs skill
Download the skill ZIP from the skill's page on this site. The package contains a single file, SKILL.md.
Option 1, for Claude Code: unzip the file into ~/.claude/skills/ to make it available to you everywhere, or into .claude/skills/ inside a project folder to limit it to that project.
Option 2, in the Claude apps: open Settings, go to Capabilities, and upload the skill under Skills.
- Make sure the gws command-line tool and the gws-sheets skill are installed before you rely on this recipe
- Confirm your Google account can open the spreadsheet you want to compare
Trigger the skill with natural requests
You do not need a special command. Describe the task in plain language that names the spreadsheet and the two tabs. The agent should match the request to this skill when it involves comparing tabs in a Google Sheet.
Include the spreadsheet ID or link, the two tab names, and what you want to know. Tab names in the examples are January and February, so use the names exactly as they appear in your sheet.
- Compare the January and February tabs in this sheet and tell me what changed: [SHEET_ID]
- Check what differs between the Q1 and Q2 tabs of our budget spreadsheet
- Which rows changed between the two versions of our tracking sheet?
Run the underlying commands yourself
The skill tells the agent to run these two read commands. You can run the same commands to see the raw data before you trust a comparison. Replace SHEET_ID with your spreadsheet's ID.
gws sheets +read --spreadsheet SHEET_ID --range "January!A1:D"
gws sheets +read --spreadsheet SHEET_ID --range "February!A1:D"Check the range before you trust the result
The recipe reads a fixed range, A1:D. Any data outside columns A to D or below the sheet's rows is not part of the read, so it cannot be compared. If your sheets are wider, longer, or have a different column layout, the comparison can miss rows or columns and produce misleading results.
Confirm that both tabs use the same layout and that all your data sits within A1:D. If not, ask the agent to read a wider range, or check the output against the sheet yourself.
- Both tabs should have the same column order and headings
- Keep all relevant data within columns A to D
- Spot-check a few changes the agent reports against the sheet
Safety notes: scripts and network access
This skill runs scripts and uses the network. The recipe itself sends read requests to Google Sheets through the gws tool, and the agent then processes the returned cell data.
Sensitive financial or personal data should not be sent to an AI agent without considering who can see that data and where it is processed. Check your organisation's policies before using the skill on confidential sheets.
- Review SKILL.md before installing, since it is the only file in the package
- Only use the skill on spreadsheets you are allowed to share with an AI agent
What people use it for
- Comparing a January tab with a February tab in a monthly finance sheet that uses the same layout
- Checking what changed between two versions of an operations tracking spreadsheet
- Reviewing differences between a Q1 and Q2 budget tab that share column headings
Frequently asked questions
What is the recipe-compare-sheet-tabs skill?
It is an agent skill that tells an AI agent to read data from two tabs in a Google Sheet and identify the differences. It is a short recipe that uses the gws command-line tool to read the cells.
What do I need to use this skill?
You need the gws command-line tool (Google Workspace CLI), the gws-sheets skill, and Google account access to the target spreadsheet. Authentication is handled by gws.
Is the Compare Google Sheets Tabs skill free?
The source does not state pricing or licence terms beyond the licence listed as Apache-2.0. Check the repository's licence file for the terms that apply.
Where do I install the skill?
Unzip the downloaded ZIP into ~/.claude/skills/ for all projects, or into .claude/skills/ in a project folder. In the Claude apps, upload it under Settings, Capabilities, Skills.
Why does the comparison miss rows or columns?
The recipe reads the fixed range A1:D on each tab. Data outside that range is not read, so it cannot be compared. Use it on sheets with the same layout and keep the data within that range.
Are there alternatives for comparing sheets tabs?
The source does not name alternatives. You can compare tabs manually, or ask an agent to read a wider range with the gws sheets read command if your data is larger than A1:D.
New agent skills, repos and AI tools — every week
The best new skills and open-source projects, the fastest-growing repos, and one free prompt. Five minutes to read. Unsubscribe anytime.
Our verdict
This skill suits finance or operations staff who compare monthly sheets with the same layout, and anyone already set up with gws and its Sheets skill. It is a poor fit for spreadsheets with different column layouts, large data ranges, or sensitive data you are not allowed to share with an AI agent.
Download the skill