If you’re getting started with Google Sheets, one of the most crucial lessons you need to learn is how to input formulas. A formula in Google Sheets is a mathematical equation used to calculate data in your spreadsheet. This guide will help you understand how to input a formula in Google Sheets efficiently.
Step 1: Open Google Sheets
The first step is to navigate to Google Sheets. You can do this by typing https://sheets.google.com into your browser search bar, or by clicking on the Google Apps menu (the 3×3 grid icon) on the Google homepage and selecting Sheets.
Step 2: Select the Cell
Select the cell where you want the result of the formula to appear. Click on it to make sure it’s active.
Step 3: Input the Formula
Once you’ve selected the cell, it’s time to input your formula. Start by typing the equals sign = into the active cell. This tells Google Sheets that you’re entering a formula, not just plain text.
After the equals sign, type in the formula you want to use. For example, if you wanted to add the values in cells A1 and B1, you would type =A1+B1.
Here’s a simple example using a SUM formula:
This formula will add up all the values in cells A1 through A10.
Step 4: Press Enter
Once you’re done typing in your formula, press the Enter key on your keyboard. Google Sheets will now calculate the formula, and the result will appear in the cell you initially selected.
Step 5: Editing Your Formula
If you need to make changes to your formula after entering it, simply click on the cell containing the formula, and the formula bar at the top of the screen will display the formula for you to edit.
Following these steps will help you to input formulas in Google Sheets effectively. The more you practice, the more comfortable you’ll become with using different formulas to manipulate and analyze your data.