What Are Basic Google Sheets Formulas?
Basic Google sheets formulas and functions are used to perform calculations and complete our tasks in sheets. From mathematical to logical functions, Google sheets offers number of formulas and functions like Excel.
In this article, let us learn the basic Google sheets formulas to perform our tasks in sheets.
Table of contents
Key Takeaways
- Google sheets has inbuilt functions just like Microsoft Excel that enables users perform mathematical functions or daily tasks.
- Apart from SUM, AVERAGE, COUNT functions, there are SUMIF, AVERAGEIF, COUNTIF and other functions that are readily available to find better results with conditions.
- Google sheets functions such as LEN, TRIM, MIN and MAX have only one argument and it is the only mandatory argument.
- We have to ensure we select the cell ranges or references accurately to get error-frree results in Google sheets.
Top 10 Basic Formulas And Functions Of Google Sheets
There are so many functions in Google sheets but the most commonly used functions are
- SUM
- COUNT
- COUNTA
- COUNTBLANK
- AVERAGE
- MIN
- MAX
- LEN
- TRIM
- IF
Now, let us learn the meaning, formula and use of each function with the following detailed and apt example.
Consider the below image showing the sample products and price of those products in columns A and B respectively.

We will be using the simple data and perform all the functions.
Let us use the Sum function for the data.
#1 – SUM
Description
SUM function in Google sheets is one of the most commonly used Google sheets function. This function helps users find the total or the sum of the data in a cell range.
The formula of SUM function is =SUM(value1,value2)

where,
- value1: This is the mandatory argument and denotes the first number we need to add.
- value2: It is an optional argument indicates the second value to be added in the formula
Note that we can add a cell range or specific cell references in the Google sheets SUM function to find the total.
Example
Now, let us learn how to use the SUM function and find the total of the products.

The steps are:
Step 1: To begin with, we need to select a cell to find the SUM result. In this example, we need to select the cell B9.
Step 2: Next, insert the SUM function in cell B9 by typing =SUM as shown in the below image.

Step 3: Now, select the cell range as the argument.
So, the formula is =SUM(B2:B8)

Step 4: Finally, press Enter key.
We can see the result as shown in the below image.

Likewise, we can find the total using SUM function in Google sheets.
#2 – COUNT
Description
COUNT function in Google sheets, as the name suggests, counts the total numeric values present in the data or the cell range.
The formula of COUNT function is =COUNT(value1,value2,…)

where,
- value1: This is the mandatory argument and denotes the first number we need to count.
- value2: It is an optional argument that indicates the second value to be counted in the formula
Now, let us learn how to use the COUNT function and find the total number of numeric values.

The steps are:
Step 1: To begin with, we need to select a cell to find the COUNT function in Google sheets result. In this example, we need to select the cell B10.
Step 2: Next, insert the COUNT function in cell B10 by typing =COUNT as shown in the below image.

Step 3: Now, select the cell range as the argument.
So, the formula is =COUNT(A2:B8)

Step 4: Finally, press Enter key.
We can see the result as shown in the below image.

Note that the total count is showing 7 instead of 14 as the COUNT function only reads numerical value.
Likewise, we can use COUNT Google sheets function.
#3 – COUNTA
COUNTA function in Google sheets is one of the sub functions of COUNT functions in Google sheets. This function reads both numbers and text in the data range.
The formula of COUNTA function is =COUNT(value1,[value2],…)

where,
- value1: This is the mandatory argument and denotes the first value we need to count.
- value2: It is an optional argument that indicates the second value to be counted in the formula
Now, let us learn how to use the COUNTA function and find the total value in the cell range.

The steps are:
Step 1: To begin with, we need to select a cell to find the COUNTA function in Google sheets result. In this example, we need to select the cell B11.
Step 2: Next, insert the COUNTA function in cell B11 by typing =COUNTA as shown in the below image.

Step 3: Now, select the cell range as the argument.
So, the formula is =COUNTA(A2:B8)

Step 4: Finally, press Enter key.
We can see the result as shown in the below image.

Now, that the result of COUNT and COUNTA is different. This is because, COUNT Google sheets function only counts the numeric values and COUNT Google sheets function counts both text and numeric values. That is why, the total count value is showing 14.
Likewise, we can use COUNTA Google sheets function.
#4 – COUNTBLANK
COUNTBLANK is another function categorized under COUNT functions. As the name suggests, the COUNTBLANK Google sheets function counts all the blank cells in the cell range or data.
The formula of COUNTBLANK function is =COUNTBLANK(value1,[value2],…)

where,
- value1: This is the mandatory argument and denotes the first value we need to count.
- value2: It is an optional argument that indicates the second value to be counted in the formula
Now, let us learn how to use the COUNTBLANK function and find the total blank cells in the range. Consider the additional column C showing Availability of the products.

The steps are:
Step 1: To begin with, we need to select a cell to find the COUNTBLANK function in Google sheets result. In this example, we need to select the cell C9.

Step 2: Next, insert the COUNTBLANK function in cell C9 by typing =COUNTBLANK as shown in the below image.

Step 3: Now, select the cell range as the argument.
So, the formula is =COUNTBLANK(C2:C8)

Step 4: Finally, press Enter key.
We can see the result as shown in the below image.

Now, that the result of COUNTBLANK is showing only 1 because there is only 1 blank cell in the cell range C2:C8.
Likewise, we can use COUNTBLANK Google sheets function.
#5 – AVERAGE
AVERAGE function is another important functions in Google sheets used to find the average of the data. Remember, it is also one of the inbuilt functions available in Google sheets and along with this, users can use other functions like AVERAGEIF, AVERAGEIFS, AVERAGE.WEIGHTED functions in Google sheets.
The formula of AVERAGE function is =AVERAGE(value1,[value2],…)

where,
- value1: This is the mandatory argument and denotes the first value we need to find the average of.
- value2: It is an optional argument that indicates the second value to be inserted in the formula
Now, let us learn how to use the AVERAGE function and find the average of the range.

The steps are:
Step 1: To begin with, we need to select a cell to find the AVERAGE result. In this example, we need to select the cell B10.
Step 2: Next, insert the AVERAGE function in cell B10 by typing =AVERAGE as shown in the below image.

Step 3: Now, select the cell range as the argument.
So, the formula is =AVERAGE((B2:B8)

Step 4: Finally, press Enter key.
We can see the result as shown in the below image.

Likewise, we can find the average using AVERAGE function in Google sheets.
#6 – MIN
MIN function is one of the important functions in Google sheets used to find the minimum value in the data. It is also one of the inbuilt functions available in Google sheets and helps users find the lowest value in the cell range.
The formula of MIN function is =MIN(value1,value2,value3)

where,
- value1: This is the mandatory argument and denotes the first value we need to find the minimum value of.
- value2: It is an optional argument that indicates the second value to be inserted in the formula
Now, let us learn how to use the MIN function and find the minimum value in the range.

The steps are:
Step 1: To begin with, we need to select a cell to find the MIN result. In this example, we need to select the cell B11.
Step 2: Next, insert the MIN function in cell B11 by typing =MIN as shown in the below image.

Note that the Google sheets is already suggesting the arguments. We can right away click on the option if it is the right cell range but since we want to find the minimum value for the cell range B2:B8, we need to enter the cell range manually.
Step 3: Now, select the cell range as the argument.
So, the formula is =MIN(B2:B8)

Step 4: Finally, press Enter key.
We can see the result as shown in the below image.

Likewise, we can find the minimum value using the MIN function in Google sheets.
#7 – MAX
Similar to MIN function, we can also find the maximum value using MAX function in Google sheets. It is useful to find the maximum value in the cell range.
The formula of MAX function is =MAX(value1,value2,value3)

where,
- value1: This is the mandatory argument and denotes the first value we need to find the maximum value of.
- value2: It is an optional argument that indicates the second value to be inserted in the formula
Now, let us learn how to use the MAX function and find the maximum value in the range.

The steps are:
Step 1: To begin with, we need to select a cell to find the MAX result. In this example, we need to select the cell B12.
Step 2: Next, insert the MAX function in cell B12 by typing =MAX as shown in the below image.

Note that the Google sheets is already suggesting the arguments. We can right away click on the option if it is the right cell range but since we want to find the maximum value for the cell range B2:B8, we need to enter the cell range manually.
Step 3: Now, select the cell range as the argument.
So, the formula is =MAX(B2:B8)

Step 4: Finally, press Enter key.
We can see the result as shown in the below image.

Likewise, we can find the maximum value using the MAX function in Google sheets.
#8 – LEN
LEN function in Google sheets helps users find the number of values in the cell. It is commonly used to find the number of values entered in the cell.
The formula of LEN function is =LEN(text)

where,
- text is the only mandatory argument which shows the cell reference required to count the number of values.
Now, let us learn how to use the LEN function and find the number of values.

The steps are:
Step 1: To begin with, we need to select a cell to find the LEN result. In this example, we need to select the cell B13.
Step 2: Next, insert the LEN function in cell B13 by typing =LEN as shown in the below image.

Step 3: Now, select the cell range as the argument. In this example, we are required to find the LEN value for cell reference A12.
So, the formula is =LEN(A12)

Step 4: Finally, press Enter key.
We can see the result as shown in the below image.

Note that the characters in cell A12 is MAX which has 3 characters. As mentioned earlier, LEN function shows the total characters in a cell.
Likewise, we can find the number of characters using LEN function in Google sheets.
#9 – TRIM
TRIM Google sheets function, as the name suggests, helps users trim the extra spaces used in the text string. It helps us format the data’s text string to ensure there are no extra spaces in-between or at the beginning or end of the text string.
The formula of TRIM function is =TRIM(text)

where,
- text is the only mandatory argument which shows the cell reference containing the text string required to trim.
Now, let us learn how to use the TRIM function and remove the extra spaces in the text string.

The steps are:
Step 1: To begin with, we need to select a cell to find the TRIM result. In this example, we need to select the cell B14.
Step 2: Next, insert the TRIM function in cell B10 by typing =TRIM as shown in the below image.

Step 3: Now, select the cell C2 as the argument.
So, the formula is =TRIM(C2)

Step 4: Finally, press Enter key.
We can see the result as shown in the below image.

Note that the text string is ‘Out of Stock’ which has extra space between ‘of’ and ‘Stock’.
This is trimmed and the text string is formatted without extra space in cell C14.
Likewise, we can trim the excess spaces and format the text string using TRIM function in Google sheets.
#10 – IF
IF function is one the most important functions in Google sheets. It performs the logical test and returns TRUE or FALSE values. There are many logical functions in Google sheets but IF function is highly used.
The formula of IF function is =IF(logical_expression,value_if_true,value_if_false)

where,
- logical_expression: This is the mandatory argument and denotes the cell range to be tested along with the logical operator.
- value_if_true: It is also a mandatory argument that indicates the condition to be tested and returned if the condition is satisfied
- value_if_false: It is an optional argument that indicates the condition to be tested and returned if the condition is not satisfied
Now, let us learn how to use the IF function.

The steps are:
Step 1: To begin with, we need to select a cell to find the IF result. In this example, we need to select the cell C15.
Step 2: Next, insert the IF function in cell C15 by typing =IF as shown in the below image.

Step 3: Now, select the cell reference B9 as the argument. Assume that the condition is that if cell B8 is higher than 10, the condition is satisfied or else, it is not satisfied.
So, the formula is =IF(B8>10,”Satisfied”,”Not Satisfied”)

Step 4: Finally, press Enter key.
We can see the result as shown in the below image.

Likewise, we can find the logical test using IF function in Google sheets.
Important Things To Note
- Basic functions in Google sheets are inbuilt functions created for user requirements.
- Some of the basic functions in Google sheets are
- SUM
- COUNT
- COUNTA
- COUNTBLANK
- AVERAGE
- MIN
- MAX
- LEN
- TRIM
- IF
Frequently Asked Questions
There are so many functions available by default in Google sheets. They are categorized as Logical, Financial, Statistical, Lookup & Reference functions.
SUM function in Google sheets helps users find the total of the data in the sheet. The formula of SUM function in Google sheets is =SUM(value1,value2…)
It is simple to combine two inbuilt formulas in a single formula to find the result. It is called nested formulas. Remember to enter the opening and closing parenthesis for each function to avoid errors.
Download Template
This article must help understand Basic Google Sheets Formulas with its features and examples. You can download the template here to use it instantly.
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This has been a guide to Basic Google Sheets Formulas. Here we learn the top 10 basic formulas and functions with examples & points to remember. You can learn more from the following articles –
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