Master Google Sheets Formulas for Maximum Productivity
Everything You Need to Know about Google Sheets Formulas
Using formulas in a Google Sheets spreadsheet is a great way to save time and make calculations more efficient. With a few simple formula commands, you can quickly manipulate data in your spreadsheet and display results in your desired format. But before you can start tinkering around with these commands, it’s important to have a good understanding of what they are, how they work, and how to use them.
What is a Formula?
A formula is a set of commands that you enter into a cell or range of cells in a spreadsheet. Formulas allow you to manipulate data in the spreadsheet by performing calculations, searching for specific information, and more. They can also be used to return specific values or ranges of cells.
How to Enter Formulas in Google Sheets
To enter a formula into a cell in Google Sheets, first click on the cell in which you want to enter the formula. Then, enter the formula following the desired format:
- First, type an equal sign (=).
- Then, type the desired function name, such as SUM or AVERAGE.
- Next, enter the range of cells you want to include in the calculation. This will be designated with either the row numbers and column letters (e.g. A1:A10) or with the cell references (e.g. B4).
- After the range has been entered, hit enter on your keyboard. The result of the formula will appear in the designated cell.
Common Google Sheets Formulas
The most common Google Sheets formulas are those used to perform basic calculations, such as summing up a range of numbers, calculating the average value of a range of cells, and finding the maximum or minimum value in a range of cells. There are many other useful formulas available in Google Sheets, however, such as functions for counting and projecting values based on criteria.
Tips for Working with Formulas
When working with formulas in Google Sheets, there are a few tips that can help make the process easier. For example, when entering a formula, you can use the “drag” feature to quickly populate the range of cells you want to include in the calculation. You can also use cell references instead of row and column numbers to make formulas easier to read and copy. Finally, if you’re ever unsure of the syntax for a particular formula, you can use the Insert Function tool to search for and insert the formula into the cell.