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 6 formulas matching "VLOOKUP"

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

IFERROR()

Logical

Returns a specified value if a formula results in an error

Syntax:

=IFERROR(value, value_if_error)

Examples:

=IFERROR(A1/B1, 0)

Return 0 instead of #DIV/0!

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

Handle missing VLOOKUP result

=IFERROR(VALUE(A1), 0)

Default to 0 if A1 isn't a number

Note: Catches all error types including #N/A, #VALUE!, #REF!, #DIV/0!

IFNA()

Logical

Returns a value only if the formula results in #N/A error

Syntax:

=IFNA(value, value_if_na)

Examples:

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

Handle missing lookup

=IFNA(MATCH(A1,B:B,0), "No match")

Handle failed MATCH

Note: More precise than IFERROR — only handles #N/A, not all errors

ISERROR()

Information

Returns TRUE if the value is any error

Syntax:

=ISERROR(value)

Examples:

=ISERROR(A1/B1)

TRUE if division causes an error

=IF(ISERROR(A1), 0, A1)

Replace errors with 0

=ISERROR(VLOOKUP(A1, B:C, 2, 0))

Check if lookup fails

Note: Detects all error types; prefer IFERROR for cleaner error handling

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

INDEX()

Lookup & Reference

Returns the value of a cell at a given row and column position in a range

Syntax:

=INDEX(reference, row, [column])

Examples:

=INDEX(A1:C10, 3, 2)

Value at row 3, column 2 of A1:C10

=INDEX(A:A, MATCH("Smith",B:B,0))

Paired with MATCH for flexible lookup

=INDEX(A1:A10, RANDBETWEEN(1, 10))

Random value from range

Note: Often paired with MATCH as a more flexible alternative to VLOOKUP

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