If your Phantom shows "Can't access input spreadsheet," "Incorrect column name," or "Can't read Google Drive link," the most common fix is to open your Google Sheet, click Share, set General access to "Anyone with the link" as Viewer, and paste the Google Sheets URL (starting with docs.google.com/spreadsheets/) into your Phantom's input field. If the error is about a column name, check for extra spaces in the header cell and make sure the column name in your Phantom setup matches exactly.
Why you're seeing this
Your automation may show one of these messages:
- "Can't access input spreadsheet, make sure it's public"
- "Can't download input spreadsheet, make sure it's public and that its Export Options aren't disabled"
-
"Incorrect spreadsheet's column name"
/ "There's no column named '[column name]' in your input spreadsheet" -
"Can't read Google Drive link"
/ "Google Drive links aren't handled by this Phantom, please use a Google Sheets link instead" - "Can't access CSV file"
-
"Could not retrieve leads"
/ "The Phantom could not retrieve leads from the provided spreadsheet" - Or a similar spreadsheet or file access message
All of these mean PhantomBuster couldn't read your input correctly, either because the file or spreadsheet isn't accessible, or because the setup doesn't match what's in your spreadsheet. Use the sections below to find your situation and fix it.
How to share your Google Sheet with PhantomBuster
Before PhantomBuster can read your spreadsheet, it must be shared publicly:
- Open your Google Sheet.
- Click Share in the top right corner.
- Under General access, set visibility to Anyone with the link.
- Make sure the permission is set to Viewer.
- Copy the URL and paste it into your Phantom's input field.
- Save and relaunch the Phantom.
Your spreadsheet isn't public
PhantomBuster can't access your Google Sheet because it isn't shared publicly. Follow the sharing steps above, paste the URL into your Phantom's input field, save, and relaunch.
This applies whether you see the "Can't access" or "Can't download" message, both mean your spreadsheet's sharing settings need to be updated.
Your input column name doesn't match
The column name configured in your Phantom setup doesn't match any column header in your spreadsheet.
This can happen in two situations:
- The column header in your spreadsheet has an extra space at the start or end that isn't visible at first glance.
- The spreadsheet header was modified or deleted after setup, so the Phantom is still looking for a column name that no longer exists.
How to fix it:
- Open your input spreadsheet and check the exact column header name in row 1.
- Click on the header cell and check the formula bar: If there's an extra space at the start or end of the name, remove it and save the spreadsheet.
- Go to your Phantom's setup and expand the Spreadsheet settings.
- Check that the column name selected matches the header in your spreadsheet exactly.
- Save and relaunch the Phantom.
Note: Column names are the titles in row 1 of your spreadsheet, not letters like A or B.
If you're launching via API: Update the column name value in your argument directly rather than through the Phantom settings.
You used a Google Drive link instead of a Google Sheets link
The URL you provided is a Google Drive link, which PhantomBuster doesn't support. Open the spreadsheet directly in Google Sheets, follow the sharing steps above, and paste the correct URL into your Phantom's input.
How to tell the difference:
- Google Drive link: drive.google.com/file/...
- Google Sheets link: docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...
Your CSV file can't be accessed
PhantomBuster can't access the CSV file used as input. This usually means the file has been deleted, moved, or is no longer available.
How to fix it:
- Check whether the CSV file still exists in your PhantomBuster file browser.
- If the file has been deleted, re-upload it or regenerate it by running the source Phantom again.
- Once a valid file is available, update your Phantom's input to point to the correct file.
- Save and relaunch the Phantom.
Your leads can't be retrieved from the spreadsheet
PhantomBuster found your spreadsheet but couldn't extract the data. Check that it contains valid data rows, the correct column is selected in Spreadsheet settings, and the sheet is still shared as described above. Save and relaunch.
Frequently asked questions
Why can't PhantomBuster access my Google Sheet?
Your Google Sheet needs to be shared publicly. Open the sheet, click Share, set General access to "Anyone with the link" with Viewer permission, then paste the URL into your Phantom's input field.
What is the difference between a Google Drive link and a Google Sheets link?
A Google Drive link starts with drive.google.com/file/ and won't work with PhantomBuster. A Google Sheets link starts with docs.google.com/spreadsheets/ open your spreadsheet directly in Google Sheets and copy the URL from the address bar.
Why does my Phantom say the column name is incorrect?
The column name in your Phantom setup doesn't match the header in your spreadsheet. This usually happens because of an extra space at the start or end of the column header, or because the header was renamed or deleted after setup. Check the formula bar for hidden spaces.
What does "Could not retrieve leads" mean?
PhantomBuster found your spreadsheet but couldn't extract the data. Check that the sheet contains valid data rows, the correct column is selected in Spreadsheet settings, and the sharing is still set to "Anyone with the link" as Viewer.
Why can't PhantomBuster access my CSV file?
The CSV file may have been deleted, moved, or is no longer available in your PhantomBuster file browser. Re-upload it or regenerate it by running the source Phantom again.
If the error keeps showing up
If you've checked your spreadsheet settings and still see the error, get in touch with our Customer Care Team.
If possible, include:
- The name of the Phantom where you saw the error.
- A link to your spreadsheet or CSV file.
- A screenshot of your Input step setup.
- The exact error message from your logs.