What is the meaning of "Error [ERR_REQUIRE_ESM]: require() of ES Module [...] not supported."?
17:30 16 Jan 2026

I am using NodeJs to try and import the following package into my sheet:

const { GoogleSpreadsheet } = require('google-spreadsheet');

I get the error: "Error [ERR_REQUIRE_ESM]: require() of ES Module [...] not supported."

From the error itself I gather this is something to do with how the package imports and may be because I am using node, however I am unsure.

I have attempted updating and reinstalling my packages and dependencies, aside from completely dooming my package file and needing to reinit there was no effect.

From reading other solutions they provide solutions however I do not feel like I understand what the error means and that is important to me.

javascript node.js