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 3 formulas matching "NOW"

NOW()

Date & Time

Returns the current date and time

Syntax:

=NOW()

Examples:

=NOW()

Current date and time

=NOW()-A1

Time elapsed since A1 timestamp

=TEXT(NOW(), "HH:mm")

Display only current time

Note: Updates every time the sheet recalculates

IFS()

Logical

Tests multiple conditions and returns a value for the first true one

Syntax:

=IFS(condition1, value1, [condition2, value2], ...)

Examples:

=IFS(A1>90,"A",A1>80,"B",A1>70,"C",TRUE,"F")

Grade A/B/C/F from score

=IFS(B1="AM","Morning",B1="PM","Afternoon",TRUE,"Unknown")

Map AM/PM to labels

Note: Add TRUE as final condition as a catch-all default

TODAY()

Date & Time

Returns the current date

Syntax:

=TODAY()

Examples:

=TODAY()

Current date

=TODAY()-A1

Days since date in A1

=TODAY()+30

Date 30 days from now

Note: Updates every time the sheet recalculates

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