What is VSTACK in Google Sheets?
The VSTACK in Google Sheets vertically stacks arrays or ranges by combining them into a single, larger array. It effectively merges data from multiple sources of your spreadsheet into a single column or vertical list. VSTACK combines arrays by appending them one after another, thereby creating a single column. It is useful in scenarios where one is managing a project, tracking expenses, or undertaking surveys, where the data should be tracked one on top of the other. VSTACK can help streamline your workflow by stacking data vertically.
For example, we have two tables below. We can stack them vertically using the following formula.
=VSTACK(A1:A3, B1:B3). The result is as shown below.
Key Takeaways
- VSTACK in Google Sheets is used to vertically combine multiple ranges into a single output by stacking them one below the other.
- The syntax of the function is as follows: =VSTACK(array1, [array2, …]), where you can list multiple ranges or arrays to be stacked in vertical order.
- All arrays do not require the same number of rows. However, if the columns are mismatched. You may get blank cells where the data is missing.
- It is very helpful for merging datasets, creating summaries, or combining data from different sheets without losing updates.
Syntax
Let us look at the syntax of VSTACK in Google Sheets.
=VSTACK(range1; [range2, …])
- range1: The first range we will append to
- range2, …: [ OPTIONAL ] Additional ranges that will be appended to range1.
- Each “range” represents a set of cells you wish to stack. You can include any number of ranges, each separated by a comma.
How to Use VSTACK function in Google Sheets?
The VSTACK function in Google Sheets is used to combine multiple arrays vertically, one below the other into a single column or larger array. It is very useful when you wish to consolidate data from different sources into one continuous column without copy-pasting manually.
There are two ways to use the VSTACK function:
- Enter VSTACK in Google Sheets manually
- Use the menu bar
Let us take an example to explain this concept. We have separate lists of student names from two different universities taking part in a football match. We want to combine them into one list. Let us see how to use VSTACK in Google Sheets for the same. Using VSTACK saves time, reduces errors, and updates automatically when the source ranges change.
Enter VSTACK in Google Sheets Manually
Step 1: Take an empty spreadsheet and enter the names of students of one university in Column A and the other university in Column B.
Step 2: Go to another column and click on a cell, for example D1, where we wish to stack the lists together. Type in the following formula by starting with an = followed by the function name.
=VSTACK(
Step 3: Now, enter the two ranges which you want to stack together. Here, it is A2:A6 and B2:B6. Enter them as shown below, separated by commas.
=VSTACK(A2:A4, B2:B4)
This formula stacks the values from range A2:A4 and B2:B4 into a single vertical list. The VSTACK function automatically combines them one after the other.
Step 3: Press Enter. You will now see a single column showing all the names from University A followed by University B, listed in a vertical arrangement.
Using the Menu Bar
Since VSTACK is not directly listed in the basic Insert Function menu, here’s how you can use it easily:
- Select a blank cell where the output should appear.
- Start typing =VSTACK( and Google Sheets will auto-suggest the function.
- Click on it or press Tab to select the function.
- Type the range references (e.g., A2:A4, B2:B4) inside the parentheses.
- Press Enter to get the stacked output.
Examples
Let us look at a few examples to understand how the VSTACK function can be applied in everyday tasks. These examples highlight how it helps combine data from different sources into a single, organized list, making it easier to manage information in Google Sheets.
Example #1
As seen till now, VSTACK enables you to merge multiple data sets into one vertical list. In this example, a list of students from different classes is stored in separate sheets. Let us create a single list of all students from both the classes.
Step 1: Once, the data is organized into columns in a sheet, enter the following formula in D1 of a separate sheet.
=VSTACK(ClassMaths!A2:B8, ClassHumanities!A2:B8)
Here,
- ClassMaths!A2:B8 is the range containing the students’ data from the Math class.
- ClassHumanities!A2:B8 is the range containing the students’ data from the Humanities Department.
Step 2: Press Enter. The output would look as shown below.
Now you have a consolidated list of all students from both the classes in one vertical stack.
VSTACK is very helpful in streamlining the process of data combining from different sources. It eliminates the process of copy-pasting, which could lead to errors. Also, it allows for dynamic updates. If the data in the original range changes, the VSTACK output will automatically change accordingly.
Example #2 – Stack income and expense data from different accounts to analyze financial situation
In this example, a person tracks their monthly income and expenses in two separate lists. He wishes to combine them both into a single column so that he can view and analyze it better.
Step 1: Go to a spreadsheet and enter the income values in column A and the expense values in column B, where each column represents a separate financial category.
Step 2: Click on a blank cell in a new column where you wish to combine the two lists. Here, we choose D2. Enter the following formula:
=VSTACK(A2:A7, B2:B7)
This tells Google Sheets to vertically stack the income values followed by the expense values.
Step 3: Press Enter. The function will return a single column list with all values from both income and expenses, displayed one after another.
The result helps the person visualize his total financial activity in one place. This makes it easier to calculate totals, understand patterns, and create charts for analysis.
Example #3 – Combine task lists from different team members to track progress
We take an example of a team where each member maintains their own task list. They are written in separate columns. To get a consolidated view of all tasks for the week, all these lists must be stacked into one column using the VSTACK function.
Step 1: First, we list out each members tasks for the week in separate columns. It is as shown below.
Step 2: Go to a blank cell in a new column for better readability. Here, we will consolidate the combined task list. Enter the following formula
=VSTACK(A2:A6, B2:B6, C2:C5)
This command stacks all the tasks from all the team members vertically, forming a single, continuous list.
Step 3: Press Enter. You will now see all tasks listed in one column, making it easier to review progress, assign priorities, or filter completed items.
This way, we can ensure that none of the employee’s tasks are overlooked and this allows project managers to monitor everyone in a streamlined way.
Important Things to Note
- All the VSTACK in Google Sheets input ranges must have compatible data types. If you mix different data types, it may affect sorting and any calculations to be done on them.
- If any of the referenced ranges include formulas that return errors, the errors will appear in the stacked result.
- VSTACK does not automatically remove duplicate values. If you wish to do so, you can apply an additional function like UNIQUE.
- It is best practice not to include blank rows as VSTACK will include them in the output.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here’s how you can use VSTACK to consolidate few columns vertically. this:
Step 1: Suppose we have the sales data for iPhones is in column B, Tablets in column C, and Airpods in column D.
Step 2: To consolidate their sales, details use the formula shown below.
=VSTACK(B2:B5, C2:C5, D2:D5)
Step 3: Press Enter, you get a single column with all sales data stacked together. Thus, you can analyze the data as a whole and perform calculations like total sales or average sales for the products of that store.
When you copy-paste, the data becomes static. It will not change when you update any of the columns. However, when using VSTACK, the data stays live and updates automatically.
Thus, VSTACK ideal for dashboards, reports, or combining data in columns which change dynamically.
No — VSTACK is for vertical stacking, which means stacking rows. To combine columns horizontally, we have another option called HSTACK instead. So, VSTACK in Google Sheets adds more lines, whereas HSTACK adds side-by-side fields, a.k.a., columns.
We use VSTACK to combine data from different sheets vertically to consolidate them into a single list for calculations, charts, etc.
We can use it to merge non-contiguous ranges and combine data from separate, non-adjacent parts in a workbook.
Combining the data into a single list, helps create a unified dataset for further analysis and to prepare reports.
Download Template
This article must help understand VSTACK Function in Google Sheets with its formulas and examples. You can download the template here to use it instantly.
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