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 7 formulas matching "SORT"

SORT()

Google-Specific ⭐

Sorts the rows of a range by one or more columns

Syntax:

=SORT(range, sort_column, is_ascending, [sort_column2, is_ascending2], ...)

Examples:

=SORT(A1:C10, 1, TRUE)

Sort by first column ascending

=SORT(A1:C10, 2, FALSE)

Sort by second column descending

=SORT(A1:C10, 1, TRUE, 2, FALSE)

Sort by column 1 then 2

Note: ⭐ Google Sheets exclusive; spills automatically; pair with FILTER for dynamic tables

VLOOKUP()

Lookup & Reference

Searches a column and returns a value from the same row in another column

Syntax:

=VLOOKUP(search_key, range, index, [is_sorted])

Examples:

=VLOOKUP(A1, B:D, 2, FALSE)

Find A1 in column B, return column C

=VLOOKUP("Smith", A:C, 3, FALSE)

Look up 'Smith' in A, return column C

=IFERROR(VLOOKUP(A1,B:C,2,0),"Not found")

Safe VLOOKUP with fallback

Note: Use FALSE for exact match; searches first column only; prefer XLOOKUP when available

HLOOKUP()

Lookup & Reference

Searches a row and returns a value from the same column in another row

Syntax:

=HLOOKUP(search_key, range, index, [is_sorted])

Examples:

=HLOOKUP("Q1", A1:D5, 3, FALSE)

Find 'Q1' in row 1, return row 3

=HLOOKUP(2024, A1:D1, 2, FALSE)

Lookup year in header row

Note: Horizontal version of VLOOKUP; use XLOOKUP for more flexibility

UNIQUE()

Google-Specific ⭐

Returns unique rows or values from a range, removing duplicates

Syntax:

=UNIQUE(range, [by_column], [exactly_once])

Examples:

=UNIQUE(A1:A100)

Unique values from column A

=UNIQUE(A1:C100)

Unique rows across three columns

=SORT(UNIQUE(A1:A100))

Sorted unique values

Note: ⭐ Google Sheets exclusive; results spill automatically

MATCH()

Lookup & Reference

Searches for a value and returns its relative position in a range

Syntax:

=MATCH(search_key, range, [search_type])

Examples:

=MATCH("Apple", A1:A10, 0)

Find position of 'Apple' in A1:A10

=INDEX(B:B, MATCH(A1, A:A, 0))

INDEX-MATCH combo for lookup

=MATCH(MAX(A:A), A:A, 0)

Row of maximum value

Note: search_type 0=exact, 1=less than (sorted asc), -1=greater than (sorted desc)

MEDIAN()

Math & Statistical

Returns the median (middle) value of a dataset

Syntax:

=MEDIAN(value1, [value2], ...)

Examples:

=MEDIAN(A1:A10)

Middle value in a sorted dataset

=MEDIAN(1,2,3,4,5)

Returns 3

Note: If even number of values, averages the two middle values

QUERY()

Google-Specific ⭐

Runs a SQL-like query on your data using Google Visualization API query language

Syntax:

=QUERY(data, query, [headers])

Examples:

=QUERY(A1:D100, "SELECT A, B WHERE C > 100")

Select columns where C>100

=QUERY(A:D, "SELECT A, SUM(D) GROUP BY A ORDER BY SUM(D) DESC")

Sum by group, sorted

=QUERY(A:C, "SELECT * WHERE B = '" & E1 & "'")

Dynamic filter using cell value

Note: ⭐ Google Sheets exclusive; one of the most powerful functions for data analysis

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