Google Sheets formula guide
Google Sheets formulas for live, working spreadsheets.
For a maintainable Google Sheet, use exact lookups for IDs, SUMIFS for multiple conditions, FILTER for live views, and ARRAYFORMULA only when one rule should control a whole output column. Keep source and condition ranges aligned, leave spill areas clear, and verify imported numbers and dates are real values.
Start with
A clean source table with unique headers and consistent keys.
Use for
Live views, cross-tab lookups, conditional summaries, dates, and calculated columns.
Review
Range alignment, array spill space, data types, duplicate keys, and blank rows.
01
Lookups and conditional totals
Pull fields from a reference tab and summarize rows without copying source values into every working sheet.
- GuideHow to Use XLOOKUP in Google SheetsUse XLOOKUP in Google Sheets to return matching values from any direction, handle missing results, and avoid fragile VLOOKUP column indexes.
- GuideGoogle Sheets VLOOKUP From Another SheetUse VLOOKUP across Google Sheets tabs with exact matching, fixed source ranges, safe data cleanup, and clear #N/A handling.
- GuideHow to Use VLOOKUP in Google SheetsVLOOKUP in Google Sheets searches the first column of a range and returns a value from another column. Here's the syntax, exact-match examples, common errors, and when to use XLOOKUP instead.
- GuideGoogle Sheets SUMIF with Multiple CriteriaUse SUMIFS for multiple conditions in Google Sheets, or SUMPRODUCT for flexible AND and OR logic, date windows, and cell-reference criteria.
- GuideGoogle Sheets COUNTIFUse Google Sheets COUNTIF to count rows that match one condition, including statuses, categories, text, dates, and numeric thresholds.
02
Arrays and live working views
Return updating result sets while keeping the master table intact and the output area intentionally clear.
- GuideHow to Use FILTER in Google SheetsUse FILTER in Google Sheets for live matching rows, multiple AND or OR conditions, sorted results, and a clean no-match fallback.
- GuideHow to Filter in Google SheetsFilter in Google Sheets to review rows by status, owner, date, category, amount, or text without changing the underlying spreadsheet.
- GuideHow to Use ARRAYFORMULA in Google SheetsUse ARRAYFORMULA to fill a Google Sheets column from one formula, skip blank rows, add a header, and troubleshoot blocked array results.
- GuideGoogle Sheets QUERY Function: SQL for Your SpreadsheetThe QUERY function lets you filter, sort, group, and aggregate data using SQL-like syntax — without pivot tables or complex formulas. Here's how it works with practical examples.
- GuideGoogle Sheets Date FormulasUse TODAY, DATE, EDATE, EOMONTH, DATEDIF, and NETWORKDAYS in Google Sheets for deadlines, aging, month ends, and workdays.
03
Structure the sheet around the formulas
Stable headers, protected inputs, and intentional review fields make formulas easier to maintain.
- GuideGoogle Sheets Named RangesUse named ranges in Google Sheets to make formulas, dashboards, validation lists, and shared spreadsheet logic easier to read.
- GuideGoogle Sheets Dropdown ListCreate a Google Sheets dropdown list with data validation, custom options, colors, ranges, and cleaner status fields for shared spreadsheets.
- GuideGoogle Sheets Conditional FormattingUse Google Sheets conditional formatting to highlight statuses, overdue dates, duplicates, thresholds, and rows that need review.
- GuideHow to Freeze Rows and Columns in Google SheetsFreeze one or more header rows or columns in Google Sheets, unfreeze them, repeat frozen headers when printing, and fix common issues.
- GuideGoogle Sheets Remove DuplicatesRemove duplicates in Google Sheets with the built-in cleanup tool, UNIQUE formulas, and safer review steps for shared data.
Use it
Start with a real spreadsheet.
These existing templates give the formulas or AI workflow named fields, sample rows, and a visible result to review.
- TemplateCRM Lead TrackerTrack contacts, lead source, owner, next due date, and follow-up status in one lightweight CRM sheet. Keep hot opportunities and stale leads visible without paying for heavy sales software.
- TemplateBudget TrackerTrack income, expenses, and savings in one place. Line items, budgeted vs actual totals, and monthly net savings — free to use in your browser.
- TemplateProject TrackerTrack tasks, owners, priorities, due dates, and blockers in one delivery board. Group work by stream, review progress, and keep next steps visible.
- TemplateContent CalendarPlan topics, channels, owners, publish dates, and content status in one editorial board. Track weekly campaigns and keep your publishing mix visible.
Do this with AI
Turn the rule into a formula inside the sheet.
Name the source tab, columns, destination, and missing-value behavior. Griddy can apply supported changes in Google Sheets and leave the result ready for you to inspect.
Compare
Choose the right product path.
- ComparisonGriddy vs Gemini in Google SheetsCompare Griddy and Gemini in Google Sheets by spreadsheet surfaces, AI actions, Excel support, access, and everyday workflow.
- ComparisonGriddy vs ChatGPTCompare Griddy and ChatGPT for spreadsheet work across the browser, Excel, Google Sheets, workbook editing, analysis, and everyday ease of use.
- Product guideUse Griddy in Google SheetsSee the supported workflow for formulas, cleanup, charts, and spreadsheet changes from the Google Sheets sidebar.