List of Google Sheets Formulas: Practical Guide

Explore a practical, example-rich list of Google Sheets formulas, covering lookup, text, date, and array functions with real-use scenarios.

How To Sheets Team

March 27, 2026·5 min read

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Sheets Formulas Guide - How To Sheets — Photo by George Morina via Pexels

Quick AnswerDefinition

A comprehensive list of Google Sheets formulas covers essential categories such as lookup, aggregation, text, date, and array formulas. This guide highlights practical examples and best practices to build reliable sheets. By mastering these formulas, you can automate data tasks, validate inputs, and derive insights with confidence.

Overview of the List of Google Sheets Formulas

According to How To Sheets, mastering a robust list of Google Sheets formulas accelerates data work and reduces manual errors. This article introduces the essential families of formulas you’ll encounter when building practical spreadsheets. The phrase list of google sheets formulas is more than a checkbox; it’s a toolkit you reuse across projects, from simple sums to complex queries. Below you’ll find concrete examples, explanations, and best practices to help you apply these functions with precision in real teams and personal workflows.

Excel Formula

=SUM(A1:A10)

This basic sum adds the values in A1 through A10. It’s the most common starting point for numeric analyses in Google Sheets. You’ll see SUM used in budgets, scoreboards, and dashboards alike. Here's a quick second example to illustrate conditional results:

Excel Formula

=IF(A2>0, "Positive", "Non-positive")

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wordCountEstimateForBlock1":170},

Steps

Estimated time: 45-60 minutes

1
Prepare your data
Organize columns with headers and consistent data types. This reduces misinterpretation when formulas reference ranges.
Tip: Label ranges clearly so formulas stay readable.
2
Choose a formula family
Decide whether you need lookup, aggregation, text manipulation, date handling, or a combination for your task.
Tip: Start with a simple base formula to confirm syntax.
3
Write and test a base formula
Enter a base version in a helper cell to verify output before expanding its scope.
Tip: Use small test ranges to avoid slow recalculation.
4
Scale with arrays
Convert single-cell formulas to array-aware forms where appropriate (ARRAYFORMULA, FILTER).
Tip: Avoid overusing volatile functions like TODAY in large sheets.
5
Handle errors
Wrap formulas with IFERROR to provide sensible defaults and avoid broken sheets.
Tip: Use descriptive fallback messages.
6
Document and audit formulas
Add notes or a separate sheet listing each formula’s purpose and inputs.
Tip: FORMULATEXT helps review complex formulas quickly.

Pro Tip: Document your formulas with comments or a separate sheet for maintainability.

Warning: Be mindful of volatile functions (e.g., TODAY, RAND) that recalculate frequently on large data sets.

Note: Prefer array formulas to reduce repetitive copies across many rows.

Pro Tip: Use named ranges to improve readability and reduce errors in large models.

Prerequisites

Required

Google account with access to Google Sheets↗
Required
A modern web browser (Chrome/Edge/Firefox) with JavaScript enabled
Required
Basic knowledge of spreadsheet concepts (cell references, ranges, and operators)
Required

Optional

A sample dataset to practice on
Optional
Optional: familiarity with named ranges and basic scripting for automation
Optional

Keyboard Shortcuts

Action	Shortcut
CopyCopy selected cells	`Ctrl`+`C`
PastePaste copied cells	`Ctrl`+`V`
FindFind in sheet	`Ctrl`+`F`
BoldToggle bold formatting	`Ctrl`+`B`

FAQ

What types of formulas are most commonly used in Google Sheets?

Common formulas span lookup (VLOOKUP, INDEX/MATCH), aggregation (SUM, AVERAGE, SUMIF), text manipulation (CONCATENATE, TEXTJOIN), and date/time (TODAY, NETWORKDAYS). Understanding these groups helps you build reliable sheets quickly.

How do I troubleshoot formula errors in Google Sheets?

Check for mismatched ranges, incorrect relative/absolute references, and ensure the input data types align with the formula expectations. Use IFERROR to provide graceful fallbacks and FORMULATEXT to verify the exact syntax.

Can I apply a formula to an entire column without dragging?

Yes. Use ARRAYFORMULA or write the formula once with a whole-column range (e.g., =ARRAYFORMULA(A2:A*2)). This automates results as new rows are added.

What’s the difference between SUMIF and SUMIFS?

SUMIF handles a single criterion; SUMIFS supports multiple criteria. For example, SUMIF(B:B, ">100", C:C) versus SUMIFS(C:C, B:B, ">100", D:D, "Approved").

How can I test formulas safely without affecting data?

Use a duplicate sheet or a temporary range to experiment. Copy the formulas as you refine them and validate results against a known dataset.

Are there performance considerations for large sheets?

Yes. Complex formulas on large ranges can slow down workbooks. Prefer array formulas, limit the data ranges, and avoid volatile functions when not needed.