--- title: "Google Sheets Add-on, PLSS to GPS Conversion in Spreadsheets | Township America" description: "Convert PLSS legal land descriptions to GPS coordinates directly in Google Sheets. Free add-on with 10 conversions/month, unlimited with API key. Batch column conversion, cell formulas, and API key management." url: https://townshipamerica.com/guides/google-sheets-add-on --- # Google Sheets Add-on, PLSS to GPS Conversion in Spreadsheets Convert PLSS legal land descriptions to GPS coordinates directly in Google Sheets. Free add-on with 10 conversions/month, unlimited with API key. Batch column conversion, cell formulas, and API key management. Convert PLSS legal land descriptions to GPS coordinates directly inside Google Sheets, no copy-pasting into a separate tool, no manual re-entry. The **Township America PLSS Converter** add-on is available on the Google Workspace Marketplace. It supports batch column conversion, cell formulas, and a freemium model (10 free conversions/month, unlimited with a Township America API key). ## [Install the add-on](#install-the-add-on) ### [Open Google Sheets](#open-google-sheets) Open any Google Sheets spreadsheet. ### [Open the Add-ons dialog](#open-the-add-ons-dialog) Go to **Extensions → Add-ons → Get add-ons**. ### [Search and install](#search-and-install) Search for **Township America PLSS Converter**, click the listing, then click **Install**. Grant the requested permissions (read/write the current spreadsheet; show sidebar dialogs). ### [Open the converter](#open-the-converter) After installation, the **Township America** menu appears in the menu bar. Click **Extensions → Township America → Open Converter** to open the sidebar. ## [Batch column conversion](#batch-column-conversion) The most common workflow: convert an entire column of PLSS descriptions to lat/lng pairs. ### [Enter descriptions in a column](#enter-descriptions-in-a-column) Put your PLSS descriptions in a spreadsheet column, one per row. For example: | A | B | C | | ----------------------------- | ------------ | ------------- | | **PLSS Description** | **Latitude** | **Longitude** | | NE 14 5N 3W 6th Meridian | | | | NENE 12 4N 5E Indian Meridian | | | | SW 22 3S 68W 6th PM | | | ### [Open the converter sidebar](#open-the-converter-sidebar) **Extensions → Township America → Open Converter** ### [Set the input and output ranges](#set-the-input-and-output-ranges) * **Input range**: the cell range containing your descriptions (e.g. `A2:A100`) * **Output cell**: the first cell for latitude output (e.g. `B2`). Longitude is written to the next column automatically. ### [Click Convert Column](#click-convert-column) Results appear in the output columns. Rows that could not be converted show an error message in the cell. ### [Menu shortcut](#menu-shortcut) Select a column of PLSS descriptions, then choose **Extensions → Township America → Convert Selected Column**. Latitude and longitude are written to the adjacent two columns without opening the sidebar. ## [Cell formulas](#cell-formulas) For single conversions or building formulas that reference other cells, use the custom functions: ``` =PLSS_TO_LAT("NE 14 5N 3W 6th Meridian") =PLSS_TO_LNG("NE 14 5N 3W 6th Meridian") ``` You can also reference another cell: ``` =PLSS_TO_LAT(A2) =PLSS_TO_LNG(A2) ``` Cell formulas count against the same monthly free limit as batch conversions. ## [Freemium limits and API keys](#freemium-limits-and-api-keys) The add-on includes **10 free conversions per calendar month**, no API key required. Free conversions reset on the 1st of each month. For unlimited conversions, add a Township America API key: 1. Go to [townshipamerica.com/api](/api) and subscribe to the Search API (Build tier, $20/mo, includes 1,000 conversions/month). 2. Create an API key in the Developer Portal. 3. In Google Sheets, open **Extensions → Township America → Settings**, paste your key, and click **Save Key**. Your API key is stored securely in your Google account's user properties and is only sent to the Township America API. ## [Supported PLSS formats](#supported-plss-formats) The add-on accepts any description format understood by the Township America API: | Format | Example | | ----------------------- | ------------------------------ | | Quarter section | NE 14 5N 3W 6th Meridian | | Quarter-quarter section | NENE 12 4N 5E Indian Meridian | | Section | Sec 12 T4N R5E Indian Meridian | | Township | T4N R5E 6th PM | | Abbreviated PM | SW 22 3S 68W 6th PM | Coverage includes all 30 PLSS states. ## [Troubleshooting](#troubleshooting) ### ["No results found"](#no-results-found) The description may not match a known PLSS location. Check spelling, meridian name, and township/range direction (N/S, E/W). ### ["Free limit reached"](#free-limit-reached) You've used your 10 free conversions for the month. Add an API key in **Settings** to continue, or wait until the 1st of next month. ### ["Invalid API key"](#invalid-api-key) Double-check your key in the Settings dialog. Keys are generated in the [Township America Developer Portal](/api). ### ["Network error"](#network-error) Google Sheets could not reach the Township America API. Check your internet connection and try again. ## [Related resources](#related-resources) * [API documentation](/api), full reference for the Township America REST API * [API integration guide](/guides/api-integration), authenticate and make API requests from any app * [Python SDK](/guides/python-sdk), convert PLSS descriptions from Python scripts * [Batch conversion](/guides/batch-conversion), web-based batch processing without spreadsheets * [Contact support](/contact-us), help with the add-on or API access ### Related Guides [Legal Land Description API Integration GuideIntegrate legal land description APIs into your applications. Convert PLSS descriptions to coordinates, add autocomplete search, process batch records, and display survey grid maps. REST API with JSON responses.](/guides/api-integration)[Python SDK Quick Start, PLSS Coordinate Conversion in PythonInstall the townshipamerica Python package and convert PLSS legal land descriptions to GPS coordinates in four lines of code. Typed responses, sync and async clients.](/guides/python-sdk)[Python SDK Advanced Patterns, Async, GeoPandas, and Production WorkflowsUse the townshipamerica Python SDK with async/await, GeoPandas DataFrames, and production-ready error handling for GIS pipelines and land tech applications.](/guides/python-sdk-advanced)