How to Connect iTick to Google Sheets — Live Stocks, Crypto, and Forex Data

BTCUSDT $69,420 +4.7% MSFT $425.18 +0.8% GBPJPY 191.42 -0.1% ETHUSDT $3,842 +3.2% AAPL $198.42 +1.2% EURUSD 1.0845 -0.3% NVDA $892.15 +1.4% TSLA $244.89 -2.1% D05.SI S$41.30 +0.9% O39.SI S$16.12 +0.5% Z74.SI S$3.89 -0.2% 0700.HK HK$398.60 +2.1% 9988.HK HK$88.45 -0.8% BTCUSDT $69,420 +4.7% MSFT $425.18 +0.8% GBPJPY 191.42 -0.1% ETHUSDT $3,842 +3.2% AAPL $198.42 +1.2% EURUSD 1.0845 -0.3% NVDA $892.15 +1.4% TSLA $244.89 -2.1%

LIVE MARKET DATA

iTick Google Sheets

Stream live market data directly into your spreadsheets

iTick

Query Streams

Google Sheets

Real-Time WebSocket Multi-Asset SQL Powered

Get Started Free Learn More

See everything Query Streams can do beyond this guide Get Started Free

Supports

+more

Live Data

Replace exports with on-demand SQL

Excel Sheets

BI & AI Analytics

Ask Nova, get SQL + charts

Meet Nova

Database REST API

One key per partner. No credentials shared.

Build an API

+more

Automation

Scheduled sync to 6+ platforms

Explore

+more

API to SQL

Query APIs with SQL, no code

Explore

+more

AI Database MCP

Claude, Cursor, ChatGPT & Grok talk to your data

Connect AI

Query Streams is a secure, real-time market data integration platform that connects iTick to Google Sheets — delivering live stock prices, cryptocurrency quotes, and forex rates directly into your spreadsheets without complex coding or manual data exports. Learn more at QueryStreams.com and sign up for free to start streaming real-time market data to Google Sheets in minutes.

Unlike GOOGLEFINANCE which delays data by 20 minutes and only covers US equities, Query Streams streams real-time quotes for stocks, crypto, and forex via WebSocket through the iTick market data API. iTick has particularly strong coverage of the Singapore Exchange (SGX) and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX), making it easy to track Singapore stock prices for blue chips like DBS Bank (D05.SI), OCBC (O39.SI), Singtel (Z74.SI), Hang Seng Index constituents like Tencent (0700.HK) and Alibaba (9988.HK), and Straits Times Index stocks directly in Google Sheets. This guide walks you through connecting iTick to Google Sheets so you can pull live stock prices from the Singapore stock market and global exchanges, track cryptocurrency price movements, monitor forex exchange rates, and run SQL queries against a local DuckDB market data cache — all from within your Google spreadsheet. Whether you need a reliable GOOGLEFINANCE alternative, SGX stock data in your spreadsheet, a cryptocurrency price tracker, or a way to stream stock data to a spreadsheet with full SQL query capabilities, this integration delivers what GOOGLEFINANCE cannot.

About Query Streams – iTick Market Data Integration

What is Query Streams? Query Streams is a powerful, secure data connectivity platform that bridges iTick’s real-time market data feed with Google Sheets. The Query Streams Network Agent runs locally on your machine, connects to iTick via WebSocket, caches market data in a local DuckDB database, and makes everything queryable with standard SQL. No API programming required.

Perfect for: Traders, financial analysts, portfolio managers, quantitative researchers, fintech developers, and anyone who needs real-time stock data in Google Sheets, a live cryptocurrency price tracker spreadsheet, or SQL-queryable market data without expensive Bloomberg or Refinitiv terminals. Get started with a free Query Streams account and transform how you access market data in spreadsheets.

What You’ll Accomplish

By the end of this guide, you’ll be able to:

• Connect Google Sheets to iTick’s real-time market data feed through the Query Streams agent
• Stream live stock prices, crypto quotes, and forex rates into Google Sheets via WebSocket
• Query market data using SQL — real-time quotes, daily OHLCV history, raw tick streams, and order book depth
• Replace GOOGLEFINANCE formulas with faster, more comprehensive, multi-asset SQL queries
• Build live portfolio dashboards, crypto trackers, and forex monitors directly in Google Sheets
• Share market data queries with team members without exposing your iTick API key

iTick Data Tables Available

Query Streams caches iTick market data into 4 DuckDB tables, all queryable with standard SQL:

All four tables are cached locally in DuckDB, so SQL queries execute instantly against your local data — no API round-trips on every query.

Supported Asset Types

iTick through Query Streams provides coverage across multiple asset classes, all accessible from a single connection:

This multi-asset coverage in a single connector is what makes Query Streams with iTick a true GOOGLEFINANCE alternative — one connection covers US equities, Singapore Exchange (SGX) stocks, Hong Kong (HKEX) stocks, crypto, forex, and indices, while GOOGLEFINANCE struggles to cover even basic US equity data reliably. If you need Singapore stock market data or Hong Kong stock market data in Google Sheets, iTick’s deep SGX and HKEX coverage combined with Query Streams’ SQL engine gives you live DBS stock price, OCBC stock price, Singtel stock price, Tencent stock price, Alibaba stock price, and other SGX and HKEX-listed securities — something GOOGLEFINANCE cannot do with international exchanges. Track the Hang Seng Index and Straits Times Index components in real time, all queryable with SQL.

Why Query Streams Beats GOOGLEFINANCE

If you’ve been using GOOGLEFINANCE formulas in Google Sheets, you already know the frustrations: delayed data, missing asset classes, and no way to run complex queries. Here’s how Query Streams with iTick compares:

Prerequisites

What’s Next

Once your agent is installed and running, we’ll walk through:

Let’s get started with connecting your iTick account…

Access the Query Streams Agent Interface

Now that your agent is installed and running, you’ll configure your iTick connection through the local agent interface.

1. Open your web browser and navigate to the agent interface: https://localhost:1823
   Note: If you selected a different port during installation, replace 1823 with your chosen port number.
2. Navigate to Data Connections:
   • In the left sidebar, click Data Sources to expand the menu
   • Select Connections from the submenu
3. Add a new connection:
   • Click the Add Connection button (you’ll see this option both in the top-right corner and in the center of the screen)

You should now see the “Data Connections” interface. Once you click “Add Connection,” you’ll be able to configure your iTick market data connection.

Select iTick as Your Connection Type

After clicking “Add Connection,” you’ll see the New Connection wizard. You’re now on Step 1: Select Connection Type.

1. Choose iTick:
   • Look for the iTick tile in the API section
   • Click on the iTick tile to select it
   • The description will show: “Market data – real-time stocks, crypto, forex via WebSocket”
2. Alternative: Use the search function:
   • Type “iTick” in the search bar to quickly find the option
3. Proceed to the next step:
   • Once iTick is selected, click the Next button in the bottom-right corner

The wizard will now proceed to Step 2: Configure Connection, where you’ll enter your iTick API credentials.

Configure Your iTick API Key

You’re now on Step 2: Configure Connection where you’ll enter your iTick API token.

Required Connection Details

1. Connection Name (required)
   • Enter a friendly name to identify this connection (e.g., “iTick Market Data” or “Live Stock Feed”)
   • This name will appear in your Query Streams interface and Google Sheets add-on when selecting a data source
2. API Token (required)
   • Enter your iTick API token
   • This is the authentication key that grants access to iTick’s market data WebSocket and REST endpoints

Where to Find Your iTick API Token

1. Log in to your account at itick.org
2. Navigate to your Dashboard or API Settings page
3. Locate your API Token and copy it
4. If you don’t have a token yet, generate one from the API settings page

Free Tier: iTick offers a free API plan with access to delayed and real-time data for a limited number of symbols. This is a great way to test the integration before upgrading. Even the free stock API tier from iTick gives you far more flexibility than GOOGLEFINANCE.

Once you’ve entered your API token, click Next to proceed.

Configure Your Watchlist

You’re now on Step 3: Watchlist Configuration where you’ll define which symbols to track. The watchlist determines which assets the agent subscribes to via WebSocket and caches locally in DuckDB.

Adding Symbols

Enter the ticker symbols you want to track, separated by commas. Use the standard ticker format for each asset type:

• US Stocks: AAPL, MSFT, GOOGL, TSLA, AMZN
• International Stocks: D05.SI (DBS Bank, SGX), O39.SI (OCBC Bank, SGX), Z74.SI (Singtel, SGX), 0700.HK (Tencent, HKEX), 9988.HK (Alibaba, HKEX). iTick provides strong Singapore Exchange and Hong Kong Stock Exchange coverage for Straits Times Index and Hang Seng Index constituents.
• Cryptocurrency: BTCUSDT, ETHUSDT, SOLUSDT, XRPUSDT
• Forex: EURUSD, GBPJPY, USDJPY, AUDUSD

You can add or remove symbols at any time after setup. The agent will automatically subscribe to new symbols and begin caching their data.

Click Next to configure WebSocket streaming.

Configure WebSocket Streaming

You’re now on Step 4: WebSocket Streaming where you’ll enable real-time data streaming. This is what makes Query Streams a true real-time stock data solution — not a polling-based delay like GOOGLEFINANCE.

Streaming Options

• Enable Live Streaming – Toggle this on to receive real-time WebSocket stock data, crypto ticks, and forex quotes as they happen. The agent maintains a persistent WebSocket connection to iTick and writes every tick to the tick_history table while updating quote_live with the latest price.
• Streaming Mode – Choose between “Quote Only” (updates quote_live table only) or “Full Tick” (captures every individual tick in tick_history for granular analysis).

How WebSocket Streaming Works: When enabled, the agent opens a persistent WebSocket connection to iTick’s servers. Every price update for your watchlist symbols arrives in real time and is immediately written to your local DuckDB cache. This means when you run a query in Google Sheets, you’re getting the latest available price — not data from 20 minutes ago.

Click Next to set up your sync schedule.

Set Up Sync Schedule

You’re now on Step 5: Sync Schedule where you’ll configure how often each table syncs and caches data locally in DuckDB. While WebSocket streaming handles real-time ticks, the sync schedule manages bulk data operations like fetching daily OHLCV history and refreshing order book depth.

Understanding the Sync Schedule

Query Streams syncs iTick data to a local DuckDB cache for instant SQL queries. Each table shows its sync interval — adjust based on your analysis needs:

Recommended Intervals by Table:

• quote_live – Continuous via WebSocket (no scheduled sync needed — updated in real time)
• tick_history – Continuous via WebSocket (captures every tick automatically)
• prices_daily – Every hour or daily (historical OHLCV updates after market close)
• depth – Every 1-5 minutes (order book snapshots for liquidity analysis)

Why Local DuckDB Caching Matters:

• Instant queries – SQL runs against local DuckDB, not the live API, so even complex analytical queries return in milliseconds
• Historical data retention – Your tick history and daily OHLCV data accumulates over time, building a local market data archive
• Offline access – Query cached market data even when iTick’s API is unreachable
• Fewer API calls – Reduces iTick API usage, keeping you within your plan limits

Click Finish to save your iTick connection. The agent will begin the initial data sync, subscribing to your watchlist symbols via WebSocket and fetching historical data. This typically completes within 1-2 minutes depending on the number of symbols.

Install the Google Sheets Add-On

Now that your iTick connection is live and streaming data, you’ll need to install the Google Sheets add-on to start pulling market data into your spreadsheets.

Installation Steps

1. Open any Google Sheets spreadsheet
2. Navigate to Extensions menu:
   • Click Extensions in the top menu bar
   • Select Add-ons -> Get add-ons
3. Search for Query Streams:
   • Type Query Streams in the search box
   • Click on the Query Streams add-on
   • Click Install
4. Grant permissions:
   • Click Continue when prompted
   • Select your Google account
   • Click Allow to grant necessary permissions

The Query Streams add-on is now installed and ready to use in all your Google Sheets spreadsheets.

Opening the Add-On

To open the Query Streams add-on:

1. Click Extensions in the top menu
2. Select Query Streams
3. Click Open Query Streams

The add-on panel will open on the right side of your spreadsheet, ready for you to run market data queries.

Run Your First Market Data Query

With the Google Sheets add-on installed and your iTick connection active, you can now stream real-time market data directly into your spreadsheet. Here are practical SQL queries to get you started — each one runs against your local DuckDB cache for instant results.

Running a Query in Google Sheets

1. Open the Query Streams add-on panel
2. Click Stream a Query
3. Select your iTick connection from the data source dropdown
4. Write or paste your SQL query
5. Choose destination: Create a new sheet or target an existing one
6. Click the Play button to execute — data streams directly into your spreadsheet

Latest Quote for a Single Symbol

Get the current real-time price for Apple stock — the simplest replacement for a =GOOGLEFINANCE("AAPL","price") formula, but with far more data fields:

SELECT *
FROM itick.quote_live
WHERE symbol = 'AAPL'

This returns the last price, bid, ask, volume, change amount, change percent, and more — all in real time.

Daily OHLCV History for Crypto

Pull the last 30 days of daily candlestick data for Bitcoin — something GOOGLEFINANCE cannot do for any cryptocurrency:

SELECT *
FROM itick.prices_daily
WHERE symbol = 'BTCUSDT'
ORDER BY date DESC
LIMIT 30

Returns open, high, low, close, and volume for each trading day. Use this to build crypto price charts or calculate moving averages directly in Google Sheets.

Intraday Tick History for Forex

View every individual price tick for EURUSD from the last hour — granular data that no spreadsheet formula can provide:

SELECT *
FROM itick.tick_history
WHERE symbol = 'EURUSD'
  AND timestamp >= epoch_ms(((extract(epoch FROM now()) - 3600) * 1000)::BIGINT)
ORDER BY timestamp DESC

Each row is a single WebSocket tick with a millisecond timestamp, giving you the raw feed for intraday forex analysis and spread tracking in your Google spreadsheet.

Multi-Asset Portfolio Dashboard

Build a live portfolio overview spanning stocks, crypto, and forex — sorted by best performers:

SELECT
    symbol,
    asset_type,
    price,
    change_percent
FROM itick.quote_live
ORDER BY change_percent DESC

This query returns every symbol on your watchlist ranked by daily performance. Stream it into a Google Sheets tab for a live, auto-refreshable portfolio tracker that covers all asset classes simultaneously.

GOOGLEFINANCE Replacement — Top Tech Stocks

Replace a wall of =GOOGLEFINANCE() formulas with a single SQL query that returns real-time data for multiple stocks at once:

SELECT
    symbol,
    price,
    change_percent,
    volume
FROM itick.quote_live
WHERE asset_type = 'stock'
  AND symbol IN ('AAPL', 'MSFT', 'GOOGL', 'AMZN', 'TSLA')
ORDER BY symbol

Instead of five separate GOOGLEFINANCE formulas (each delayed by 20 minutes), this single query delivers live prices, change percentages, and volume for all five stocks in one execution. Run it from the Google Sheets add-on and the data populates a clean table instantly.

SGX Singapore Blue Chips — DBS, OCBC, Singtel Stock Prices

Track live Singapore Exchange (SGX) stock prices for the top Singapore blue chip stocks. This query pulls real-time DBS stock price, OCBC stock price, and Singtel stock price — ideal for anyone following the Singapore stock market or building a Straits Times Index tracker in Google Sheets:

SELECT
    symbol,
    price,
    bid,
    ask,
    volume,
    change_percent
FROM itick.quote_live
WHERE symbol IN ('D05.SI', 'O39.SI', 'Z74.SI')
ORDER BY change_percent DESC

This single query replaces separate GOOGLEFINANCE formulas for each SGX stock — and unlike GOOGLEFINANCE, it returns real-time Singapore stock prices with bid/ask spreads, volume, and change data in one execution.

HKEX — Tencent, Alibaba, and Hang Seng Index Stocks

Track live Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX) stock prices for Hang Seng Index blue chips. Pull the current Tencent stock price and Alibaba stock price alongside other HKEX-listed equities — data that GOOGLEFINANCE simply cannot provide reliably for Hong Kong stocks:

SELECT
    symbol,
    price,
    bid,
    ask,
    volume,
    change_percent
FROM itick.quote_live
WHERE symbol IN ('0700.HK', '9988.HK', '1299.HK', '0005.HK')
ORDER BY change_percent DESC

One SQL query returns real-time prices for Tencent, Alibaba, AIA Group, and HSBC Holdings — all Hang Seng Index heavyweights. GOOGLEFINANCE has no reliable Hong Kong stock exchange support, making Query Streams the clear choice for HKEX data in Google Sheets.

Google Spreadsheet Exchange Rate Tracker

Monitor live forex exchange rates with bid/ask spreads — ideal for international businesses or treasury teams:

SELECT
    symbol,
    bid,
    ask,
    (ask - bid) AS spread,
    price AS mid_rate,
    change_percent
FROM itick.quote_live
WHERE asset_type = 'forex'
ORDER BY symbol

GOOGLEFINANCE offers basic exchange rates with no bid/ask data. This query gives you live spreads, mid-rates, and daily change — everything you need for currency exposure analysis in a Google spreadsheet.

iTick Plan Tiers

iTick offers multiple API plan tiers. Your plan determines the number of symbols you can track, the data refresh rate, and access to advanced features:

Free Tier:

• Real-time US stock quotes
• Limited WebSocket connections
• Basic historical data
• Ideal for getting started and evaluating the iTick Google Sheets integration as a GOOGLEFINANCE alternative

Basic Tier:

• Expanded US equity coverage
• Additional WebSocket channels
• Extended historical data range
• Cryptocurrency pairs available

Professional Tier:

• Full multi-asset coverage (stocks, crypto, forex, indices)
• Higher WebSocket throughput
• Order book depth data
• International exchange access

Premium Tier:

• Maximum API rate limits and WebSocket capacity
• Full historical depth
• Priority data delivery
• All asset classes and exchanges

Visit itick.org for current pricing and detailed feature comparisons. Regardless of your iTick plan, Query Streams handles all the local caching, SQL access, and Google Sheets streaming at no additional market data cost.

Troubleshooting and FAQ

What’s Next

Congratulations — you’ve connected iTick to Google Sheets through Query Streams and can now stream real-time stocks, crypto, and forex data directly into your spreadsheets using SQL. This is a powerful upgrade from GOOGLEFINANCE formulas, giving you true real-time market data, multi-asset coverage, and analytical SQL capabilities that no spreadsheet formula can match.

What you’ve accomplished:

• Live market data in Google Sheets – Real-time stock prices, crypto quotes, and forex rates via WebSocket streaming
• SQL access to market data – Query live quotes, daily OHLCV, tick history, and order book depth with standard SQL
• Local DuckDB cache – Instant queries against locally cached data with full historical retention
• GOOGLEFINANCE replaced – Real-time data, crypto support, forex bid/ask, and SQL power in one integration
• Secure sharing – Share market data queries with team members without exposing your iTick API key

Ready to expand your data connectivity? Query Streams supports databases like Microsoft SQL Server, PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite, and Snowflake, plus API connectors for Stripe, HubSpot, Shopify, Google Analytics, and more. Deploy agents across your infrastructure — on-premise, in AWS EC2, Azure VMs, Google Cloud, or any environment globally — and all data sources appear as a unified dropdown in the query builder. Visit QueryStreams.com to explore additional integrations and enterprise data sharing capabilities.

Start your free Query Streams account today and transform how your organization accesses market data in Google Sheets.

Related Guides

The Query Streams Team comprises seasoned database experts, network security professionals, and enterprise networking veterans with over 25 years of combined experience in data management, analytics, and secure software development.