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.

Found 5 formulas matching "LEN"

LEN()

Text

Returns the number of characters in a string

Syntax:

=LEN(text)

Examples:

=LEN(A1)

Character count of A1

=LEN(TRIM(A1))

Length after trimming whitespace

=LEN(A1)-LEN(SUBSTITUTE(A1,",",""))

Count commas in a string

Note: Includes spaces and special characters in the count

MID()

Text

Returns a substring from the middle of a string

Syntax:

=MID(string, starting_at, extract_length)

Examples:

=MID(A1, 3, 5)

5 characters starting from position 3

=MID("Hello World", 7, 5)

Returns 'World'

=MID(A1, FIND("-",A1)+1, 10)

Extract text after a dash

Note: Positions are 1-indexed

RIGHT()

Text

Returns a specified number of characters from the end of a string

Syntax:

=RIGHT(string, [number_of_characters])

Examples:

=RIGHT(A1, 4)

Last 4 characters of A1

=RIGHT(A1, LEN(A1)-FIND(" ",A1))

Extract last word

=RIGHT("Invoice-2024", 4)

Returns '2024'

Note: Default number_of_characters is 1

CONCATENATE()

Text

Joins 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

NOT()

Logical

Reverses the logical value of its argument

Syntax:

=NOT(logical_expression)

Examples:

=NOT(ISBLANK(A1))

Check if A1 is not blank

=NOT(A1=B1)

Equivalent to A1<>B1

=IF(NOT(A1>100), "OK", "Too high")

Invert condition in IF

Note: Converts TRUE to FALSE and FALSE to TRUE

Google Sheets Mastery Guide

Beginner

Start with calculations and basic data organisation

Intermediate

Master lookups and Google-specific power features

Advanced

QUERY language, regex, and live data imports

📊 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.

📊 99 Total Formulas 🏷️ 10 Categories ⭐ Google-Exclusive Functions