Overview
Hacker News is an online platform that enables its users to submit links, create content, and have discussions about technology topics. With this spreadsheet integration for Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel, you can lookup and import current news stories and posts from Hacker News without leaving your spreadsheet.
What you can do
With this integration, you can:
- Lookup and import current Hacker News posts and news stories
- Lookup and import current Hacker News comments matching a search term
- Search past news stories and posts on Hacker News based on a date
- Search and filter Ask Hacker News posts
- Search and filter Show Hacker News posts
What you need
You need to have a Flex.io account to use this integration. Also, if you haven't already installed the Flex.io add-on for Excel or Google Sheets, you need to set this up as well.
Functions and Syntax
This integration for Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets includes the following functions:
Hacker News Comments
Returns the most recent Hacker News comments matching the search term
Syntax
=FLEX("YOUR_TEAM_NAME/hackernews-comments", [properties], [filter])
Sample Usage
=FLEX("YOUR_TEAM_NAME/hackernews-comments", "*", "microsoft") =FLEX("YOUR_TEAM_NAME/hackernews-comments", "*", "google")
Parameters
| Property | Type | Description | Required |
|---|---|---|---|
properties |
array | The properties to return, given as a string or array; defaults to all properties; see "Returns" for available properties | false |
filter |
array | Search query to determine the rows to return, given as a string or array | false |
Returns
| Property | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
title |
string | The title of the story |
url |
string | The url of the story |
author |
string | The user who made the comment |
comment |
string | The comment text |
parent_id |
number | The parent id |
created_at |
string | The date the story was created |
Hacker News Stories
Returns the most recent Hacker News stories matching the search term
Syntax
=FLEX("YOUR_TEAM_NAME/hackernews-stories", [properties], [filter])
Sample Usage
=FLEX("YOUR_TEAM_NAME/hackernews-stories", "*", "microsoft") =FLEX("YOUR_TEAM_NAME/hackernews-stories", "*", "google")
Parameters
| Property | Type | Description | Required |
|---|---|---|---|
properties |
array | The properties to return, given as a string or array; defaults to all properties; see "Returns" for available properties | false |
filter |
array | Search query to determine the rows to return, given as a string or array | false |
Returns
| Property | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
title |
string | The title of the story |
url |
string | The url of the story |
author |
string | The user who submitted the story |
points |
number | The number of points the story has |
num_comments |
number | The number of comments |
created_at |
string | The date the story was created |
Need help?
Have questions? Need help getting started? Need other Hacker News templates or functions for Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets? Chat with us; we're happy to help!