Google Sheets Formulas Cheat Sheet
Master Google Sheets with our comprehensive formulas reference guide. From basic math to powerful Google-exclusive functions like QUERY, ARRAYFORMULA, and IMPORTRANGE — find syntax, examples, and expert tips for every essential formula.
CONCATENATE()
TextJoins multiple text strings into one
Syntax:
=CONCATENATE(string1, [string2], ...)Examples:
=CONCATENATE(A1, " ", B1) Join first and last name with space
=CONCATENATE("Hello, ", A1, "!") Add greeting around a name
=A1&" "&B1 Alternative using & operator
Note: The & operator is a shorter equivalent; consider TEXTJOIN for delimiter-based joining
TEXTJOIN()
TextJoins text with a delimiter, optionally ignoring empty cells
Syntax:
=TEXTJOIN(delimiter, ignore_empty, text1, [text2], ...)Examples:
=TEXTJOIN(", ", TRUE, A1:A5) Join A1:A5 with commas, skip blanks
=TEXTJOIN(" - ", FALSE, A1, B1, C1) Join with dash, include blanks
=TEXTJOIN("", TRUE, A1:A10) Concatenate all non-empty values
Note: Google Sheets exclusive advantage over older Excel versions
Google Sheets Mastery Guide
Beginner
Start with calculations and basic data organisation
Intermediate
Master lookups and Google-specific power features
- • VLOOKUP, INDEX-MATCH
- • FILTER, UNIQUE, SORT
- • ARRAYFORMULA basics
- • IMPORTRANGE cross-sheet data
Advanced
QUERY language, regex, and live data imports
- • QUERY with SQL-like syntax
- • REGEXEXTRACT, REGEXREPLACE
- • IMPORTHTML, IMPORTXML
- • GOOGLEFINANCE live data
📊 What is Google Sheets?
Google Sheets is a free, cloud-based spreadsheet application from Google, available as part of Google Workspace. First launched in 2006, it has grown into a powerful alternative to Microsoft Excel — and in several areas surpasses it, with unique features like real-time collaboration, built-in QUERY language, live data imports, and formulas for translating text and fetching stock prices directly in a cell.
🚀 Core Capabilities
- ✓ Real-time collaboration: Multiple users edit simultaneously
- ✓ Cloud storage: Auto-saves to Google Drive
- ✓ QUERY formula: SQL-like data analysis in a cell
- ✓ Live data imports: IMPORTHTML, IMPORTXML, GOOGLEFINANCE
- ✓ ARRAYFORMULA: Apply formulas to entire columns instantly
- ✓ Apps Script: JavaScript-based automation and macros
💼 Google Sheets Exclusive Functions
- ⭐ QUERY: SQL-like language for filtering and aggregating data
- ⭐ ARRAYFORMULA: Array operations without Ctrl+Shift+Enter
- ⭐ IMPORTRANGE: Pull data live from another spreadsheet
- ⭐ GOOGLETRANSLATE: Translate text between 100+ languages
- ⭐ GOOGLEFINANCE: Live stock prices and financial data
- ⭐ SPARKLINE: Mini charts directly inside a cell
⚡ Google Sheets vs. Excel
Google Sheets Advantages
- • Free to use with a Google account
- • Real-time multi-user collaboration
- • QUERY, ARRAYFORMULA, FILTER, UNIQUE built-in
- • Live web data imports (IMPORTHTML, IMPORTXML)
- • Version history with per-cell tracking
- • Works in any browser, no install needed
Excel Advantages
- • More powerful PivotTables and data model
- • Better performance with very large datasets
- • VBA macros for complex automation
- • More chart types and formatting options
- • Power Query for ETL operations
- • Industry standard in finance and enterprise
Google Sheets Pro Tips
ARRAYFORMULA shortcut: Press Ctrl+Shift+Enter in a cell to automatically wrap your formula with ARRAYFORMULA — applies it to the entire column instantly.
QUERY SQL-like syntax: Use SELECT, WHERE, GROUP BY, ORDER BY, LIMIT just like SQL — e.g. QUERY(A:D, "SELECT A, SUM(D) GROUP BY A")
IMPORTRANGE cross-sheet tip: Paste the full Google Sheets URL as the first argument. You only need to grant access once — after that, data syncs live between spreadsheets automatically.
FILTER with OR logic: Use + between conditions
(not OR()) — e.g. FILTER(A:B, (A:A="X")+(B:B="Y"))
Master Google Sheets formulas with practice. Bookmark this page for quick reference! ⭐ marks Google-exclusive functions.