Google Sheets formulas: function list and examples

A Google Sheets formula starts with an equals sign and tells the sheet what to calculate, such as =SUM(B2:B50). The best ones to learn first are SUM, AVERAGE, IF, COUNTIF, SUMIF and XLOOKUP, which handle everyday totals, conditions and lookups. Google lists more than 500 functions, and the A–Z list below links to our guide for each one we cover.

Best Google Sheets formulas to learn first

Google Sheets formulas to learn first, with examples
FunctionWhat it doesExample
SUMAdds up numbers=SUM(B2:B50)
AVERAGEFinds the mean of a set of numbers=AVERAGE(B2:B50)
IFReturns one value if a test is true and another if it is false=IF(B2>=100,"Over","Under")
IFERRORShows a fallback value instead of an error=IFERROR(B2/C2,0)
COUNTIFCounts the cells that meet one condition=COUNTIF(A2:A50,"Paid")
SUMIFAdds the values that meet one condition=SUMIF(A2:A50,"West",B2:B50)
SUMIFSAdds the values that meet several conditions=SUMIFS(C2:C50,A2:A50,"West",B2:B50,">100")
XLOOKUPFinds a value in one range and returns the match from another=XLOOKUP(E2,A2:A50,C2:C50)
VLOOKUPFinds a value in the first column of a range and returns a value from the same row=VLOOKUP(E2,A2:C50,3,FALSE)
FILTERReturns only the rows that meet a condition=FILTER(A2:C50,B2:B50>100)
UNIQUEReturns a list with the duplicates removed=UNIQUE(A2:A50)
SORTSorts rows by the values in a column=SORT(A2:C50,2,FALSE)
QUERYSelects, filters and groups data with a query language=QUERY(A1:C50,"select A, sum(C) group by A",1)
ARRAYFORMULALets one formula return results across many rows or columns=ARRAYFORMULA(B2:B50*C2:C50)
IMPORTRANGEPulls a range of cells from another spreadsheet=IMPORTRANGE("spreadsheet_url","Sheet1!A1:C50")
SPLITDivides text into separate cells around a delimiter=SPLIT(A2," ")

These are our picks for everyday work, not a usage ranking. To look up a value from a column to the left, combine INDEX with MATCH, or use XLOOKUP.

What are spreadsheet functions?

Spreadsheet functions are named, built-in calculations you use inside a formula, such as SUM or VLOOKUP. The formula is the whole entry, starting with the equals sign: in =SUM(B2:B50)*1.1, SUM is the function and the whole entry is the formula. Excel and Google Sheets share many functions, and each has some of its own. If you work in Excel, see our list of Excel formulas.

Google Sheets function list by type

Google Sheets functions by type, with examples
TypeWhat it coversExamples
MathTotals, rounding and conditional sumsSUM, SUMIF, ROUND
StatisticalAverages, counts and distributionsAVERAGE, COUNTA, MEDIAN
LookupFinding values and referencesVLOOKUP, XLOOKUP, INDEX, MATCH
LogicalTests and error handlingIF, IFERROR, AND
TextSplitting, joining and extracting textSPLIT, TEXTJOIN, REGEXEXTRACT
DateDates, durations and working daysTODAY, DATEDIF, NETWORKDAYS
FilterNarrowing and ordering rowsFILTER, SORT, UNIQUE
GoogleFunctions specific to Google SheetsQUERY, ARRAYFORMULA, GOOGLEFINANCE, SPARKLINE
WebImporting data from other files and pagesIMPORTRANGE, IMPORTHTML, IMPORTXML
ArrayCalculating on and reshaping rangesSUMPRODUCT, FLATTEN, MAP
FinancialLoans, investments and cash flowsPMT, NPV, XIRR
InfoChecking what a cell containsISBLANK, ISNUMBER
DatabaseCalculating on table-style rangesDSUM, DGET
OperatorFunction versions of operators such as + and -ADD, MINUS, MULTIPLY
ParserConverting units and value typesCONVERT
EngineeringNumber bases and engineering mathBIN2DEC, DEC2HEX
AIGenerating or summarizing text and categorizing informationAI

Types and syntax checked against Google's function list on November 5, 2026. Statistical and Math are its largest groups.

508 Formulas

Google Sheets functions A–Z

42 Tutorials

Google Sheets tutorials

How to use formulas in Google Sheets

Four common questions, answered. Stuck on the syntax? The Google Sheets formula generator can draft one from a plain English description for you to test.

  • How to write a formula

    Type an equals sign in a cell, then the function and its inputs, such as =AVERAGE(B2:B50), and press Enter. Sheets may suggest a formula as you type, which you can accept or ignore.

  • How to show formulas in Google Sheets

    Press Ctrl + ~ on Windows, Chrome OS or Mac to show all formulas instead of their results. Press it again to go back.

  • How to apply a formula to an entire column

    Select the formula cell and the cells below it, then press Ctrl + D (⌘ + D on Mac) to fill down. You can also use ARRAYFORMULA so one formula returns every row. See how to copy a formula for more ways.

  • How to use GOOGLEFINANCE

    =GOOGLEFINANCE("NASDAQ:GOOG","price",TODAY()-30,TODAY()) returns 30 days of prices. Google says quotes may be delayed by up to 20 minutes and are not meant for trading. See the GOOGLEFINANCE guide.

Master Google Sheets formulas & functions

Google Sheets includes more than 500 built-in functions that can handle everything from simple arithmetic to complex data analysis. Whether you're building financial models, tracking project timelines, or analyzing survey data, the right formula can save you hours of manual work.

The A–Z list on this page links to our Google Sheets formula guides, with the syntax and examples for each function. If you're not sure which formula you need, try our AI Formula Generator — describe what you want in plain English and get a formula to test.

When a job outgrows a formula, there are other routes. An Apps Script can automate repeated steps, and you can upload a spreadsheet and ask questions about it in chat.

  • How to Subtract in Google Sheets

    Use the minus operator: =A1-B1. For subtracting a range, use =A1-SUM(B1:B5). Works with numbers, dates, and times.

  • How to Sum a Column in Google Sheets

    Use =SUM(A:A) for an entire column, or =SUM(A1:A100) for a specific range. SUM ignores text and empty cells.

  • How to Add Cells in Google Sheets

    Use =SUM(A1,B1,C1) for specific cells or =A1+B1+C1 with the plus operator. For conditional adding, use SUMIF.

  • How to Total a Column in Google Sheets

    Place your cursor below the column and use =SUM(A1:A100). For filtered data, use =SUBTOTAL(109, A1:A100) to only sum visible rows.

Frequently asked questions

Google's function list has more than 500 functions, grouped into types such as Math, Statistical, Lookup, Logical, Text, Date and Financial. You can combine them into as many formulas as you need, so the function count is the number that matters.
Google does not publish a usage ranking in its function list. A good starting set is SUM, AVERAGE, IF, COUNTIF, SUMIF, VLOOKUP, XLOOKUP, INDEX with MATCH, FILTER and ARRAYFORMULA.
Spreadsheet functions are named, built-in calculations you use inside a formula, such as SUM or VLOOKUP. A formula is the whole entry, starting with the equals sign, so =SUM(B2:B50)*1.1 is a formula that uses the SUM function.
Many Excel formulas work in Google Sheets with the same name and syntax, including SUM, VLOOKUP, IF, COUNTIF and XLOOKUP. Some functions are specific to Google Sheets, such as QUERY, IMPORTRANGE and GOOGLEFINANCE, so check formulas after moving a workbook between the two.
Start with the basics: SUM, AVERAGE, COUNT, and IF. Once comfortable, move to lookup functions like VLOOKUP, XLOOKUP and INDEX with MATCH. Better Analyst's AI formula generator can also turn a plain English description into a formula you can test on your sheet.

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Need help with a Google Sheets formula?

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