# Google Sheets EQ Function: Syntax, Examples & Tips - URL: https://betteranalyst.com/google-sheets/eq-function - Author: Better Analyst Formula Bot is now Better Analyst—same account, more powerful analysis.Formula Bot is now Better Analyst—same account and workflows, with more powerful analysis, dashboards, and automation. [Learn what changed](https://betteranalyst.com/formula-bot-is-now-better-analyst) Returns TRUE if two values are equal and FALSE otherwise; the function form of the = operator. ``` =EQ(value1, value2) ``` Generate FormulaExplain Formula One free generation or explanation per browser, shared across Excel and Google Sheets. Account usage limits apply afterward. Describe the EQ you need in plain EnglishGenerate Formula ## Parameters | Parameter | Required | Description | | - | - | - | | **value1** | Yes | The first value to compare. Can be a number, text, date, boolean, or cell reference. | | **value2** | Yes | The value to test for equality with **value1**. | ## What Is EQ? EQ is the function form of the `=` comparison operator in Google Sheets. It takes two values and returns TRUE if the first value equals the second, and FALSE otherwise. Writing `=EQ(A2, B2)` gives exactly the same result as writing `=A2=B2`. Most people reach for the operator because it is shorter, but the function form has its place. It reads clearly when you are nesting logic, it can be easier to explain to colleagues who are not comfortable with symbols, and it is what Sheets itself uses internally when it describes the operator in help tooltips and error messages. ## How EQ Relates to the `=` Operator Google Sheets maps each comparison operator to a named function: | Function | Operator | Returns TRUE when | | - | - | - | | EQ | `=` | value1 equals value2 | | NE | `<>` | value1 does not equal value2 | | GT | `>` | value1 is greater than value2 | | GTE | `>=` | value1 is greater than or equal to value2 | | LT | `<` | value1 is less than value2 | | LTE | `<=` | value1 is less than or equal to value2 | There is no difference in behaviour between `EQ` and `=`: same type rules, same blank handling, same results. Pick whichever makes the formula easier to read. ## Basic Examples ### Check whether two cells match ``` =EQ(A2, B2) ``` Returns TRUE if A2 and B2 hold the same value. ### Compare against a fixed value ``` =EQ(C2, "Paid") ``` Returns TRUE when C2 contains "Paid", "paid" or "PAID", because text comparison ignores case. ### Reconcile two totals ``` =EQ(SUM(B2:B50), D1) ``` Confirms that a column total agrees with a control figure. ## How Sheets Compares Different Kinds of Values The comparison functions follow exactly the same rules as their operators, so it helps to know them: - **Numbers** are compared numerically. Dates and times are stored as serial numbers, so they compare chronologically. - **Text** is compared alphabetically and **without regard to case** — `"apple"` and `"APPLE"` are treated as equal. - **Mixed types** do not raise an error. Google's documentation doesn't spell out how text ranks against numbers, so a number stored as text (for example `"100"` typed with a leading apostrophe or imported from a CSV) can produce a surprising answer. - **Blank cells** behave like `0` in a numeric comparison and like an empty string `""` in a text comparison. - **Errors** propagate: if either argument is an error such as `#N/A`, the result is that error. ## Common Use Cases - **Reconciliation**: Confirm that an export total matches a ledger total. - **Data validation checks**: Flag rows where a status field equals a specific value. - **Duplicate detection**: Compare each row with the row above after sorting (`=EQ(A3, A2)`). - **Quiz and form grading**: Check a submitted answer against the answer key. ## Using EQ with Arrays Like the operator, EQ works element by element when wrapped in ARRAYFORMULA, which is handy for producing a whole column of TRUE/FALSE flags at once: ``` =ARRAYFORMULA(EQ(B2:B100, C2:C100)) ``` The result can feed straight into FILTER, COUNTIF-style logic via SUMPRODUCT, or conditional formatting. ## Common Errors - **Unexpected FALSE with numbers that look identical**: Floating-point arithmetic can leave tiny differences (e.g. `0.1+0.2` vs `0.3`). Wrap both sides in ROUND before comparing: `=EQ(ROUND(A2,2), ROUND(B2,2))`. - **Number vs number-as-text**: `=EQ(100, "100")` returns FALSE because one is text. Convert with VALUE or TO\_PURE\_NUMBER first. - **Hidden spaces**: Imported text often carries trailing spaces. Use TRIM on both values. - **Wrong argument count**: EQ takes exactly two arguments; passing three returns an error. ## Tips and Best Practices - Text comparison is case-insensitive. For a case-sensitive test use `=EXACT(A2, B2)` instead. - An empty cell is equal to both `0` and `""`, so `=EQ(A2, 0)` returns TRUE for a blank A2. Add `A2<>""` if blanks should not count. - EQ only compares two single values at a time; use ARRAYFORMULA for ranges. - Combine EQ with AND, OR and NOT to build multi-part tests, e.g. `=AND(EQ(A2, B2), C2<>"")`. - In conditional formatting custom formulas, either form works; the operator is usually shorter. ## Related Functions [NE](https://betteranalyst.com/google-sheets/ne-function), [GT](https://betteranalyst.com/google-sheets/gt-function), [GTE](https://betteranalyst.com/google-sheets/gte-function), [LT](https://betteranalyst.com/google-sheets/lt-function), [LTE](https://betteranalyst.com/google-sheets/lte-function), [ISBETWEEN](https://betteranalyst.com/google-sheets/isbetween-function) and [IF](https://betteranalyst.com/google-sheets/if-function). For counting or summing based on comparisons across a range, use COUNTIF or SUMIF with an operator criterion such as `"=100"`. ## Example use case A finance analyst exports bank transactions and the accounting ledger into one sheet. In a check column she enters =EQ(ROUND(B2,2), ROUND(C2,2)) and copies it down, then filters for FALSE to find every transaction where the bank amount and the ledger amount disagree. ## Need more help with Google Sheets formulas? Sign up for Better Analyst and get unlimited AI-powered formula generation, explanations, and advanced data analysis. [Create Free Account](https://betteranalyst.com/signup)[Try Formula Generator](https://betteranalyst.com/excel-ai) ## Google Sheets how-to guides - [How To Count Unique Values In Google Sheets](https://betteranalyst.com/google-sheets/how-to-count-unique-values-in-google-sheets) - [How To Create A Pivot Table In Google Sheets](https://betteranalyst.com/google-sheets/how-to-create-a-pivot-table-in-google-sheets) - [How To Divide In Google Sheets](https://betteranalyst.com/google-sheets/how-to-divide-in-google-sheets) - [How To Enable Macros In Google Sheets](https://betteranalyst.com/google-sheets/how-to-enable-macros-in-google-sheets) - [How To Filter In Google Sheets](https://betteranalyst.com/google-sheets/how-to-filter-in-google-sheets) - [How To Find Circular References In Google Sheets](https://betteranalyst.com/google-sheets/how-to-find-circular-references-in-google-sheets) - [How To Find Duplicates In Google Sheets](https://betteranalyst.com/google-sheets/how-to-find-duplicates-in-google-sheets) - [How To Freeze A Row In Google Sheets](https://betteranalyst.com/google-sheets/how-to-freeze-a-row-in-google-sheets) ## Explore all Google Sheets formulas Browse our complete library of Google Sheets formula guides Compare your options ## Decide with evidence, not a sales pitch. 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