Basic sum
=SUM(B2:B100) adds numeric cells. Non-numeric cells in the range are ignored by SUM.
What is Google Sheets formula syntax?
Every formula starts with = followed by a function name and arguments in parentheses. Ranges use A1 notation, text sits in quotes, and operators like + and & combine values. Sheets recalculates when inputs change, so syntax errors show as #NAME? or #ERROR! in the cell.
When to use it
Use solid syntax habits when you build models, share workbooks with teammates, or debug imported Excel formulas that behave differently in Sheets.
When to skip it
Skip memorizing every function when the built-in help panel or formula generator can draft the structure. Not every task needs a formula; filters and pivot tables are valid choices.
How it works
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1
Type = and pick a function from the help dropdown or write the name and opening parenthesis.
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2
Separate arguments with commas (or semicolons in locales that use comma as decimal separator).
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3
Reference cells as A1, ranges as A1:B10, other tabs as Sheet1!A1, other files with IMPORTRANGE.
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4
Wrap text in double quotes; escape quotes inside strings by doubling them.
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5
Use $A$1 to lock references when copying formulas across rows and columns intentionally.
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6
Close every parenthesis and match array braces when using ARRAYFORMULA or curly array literals.
Examples in Google Sheets
Conditional text
=IF(C2>0, "Profit", "Loss") returns readable labels for a dashboard without conditional formatting.
Combine name fields
=TRIM(A2 & " " & B2) joins first and last name with a space and trims extra gaps.
Build this without starting from a blank cell
Use a Better Sheets tool for Google Sheets formula syntax, then watch a walkthrough when you want the full pattern.
Better Sheets resources
Common mistakes
- Using straight quotes from word processors that Sheets does not recognize as string delimiters.
- Mixing locale separators so commas inside functions parse as decimal points incorrectly.
- Referencing entire columns A:A inside every row formula, slowing large sheets unnecessarily.
- Forgetting @ before legacy array functions after the dynamic array update in some workbooks.
- Nesting fifty functions deep with no intermediate helper columns, making debug painful.
Frequently asked questions
- Why does my formula show as text?
- The cell may be formatted as Plain text or you forgot the leading equals sign.
- Absolute vs relative references?
- Relative references shift when you copy. Dollar signs lock row, column, or both.
- Named ranges in formulas?
- Define names in Data > Named ranges, then use the name instead of A1 notation for clarity.
- Array formula syntax?
- ARRAYFORMULA wraps a formula so one entry fills a spill range. Some functions spill automatically now.
- Error types meaning?
- #REF! is bad reference, #VALUE! wrong type, #N/A no match, #DIV/0! divide by zero. Click the cell for details.
- Comment inside a formula?
- Sheets has no inline comments in formulas. Use a nearby note or helper column documentation.
- Semicolon vs comma?
- Depends on locale. If SUM(A1;A10) works for you, your region uses semicolon as the argument separator.
- Syntax vs functions?
- Syntax is the grammar (equals, parentheses, quotes). Functions are the named operations inside.
Related Tutorials
Watch how Google Sheets formula syntax works
Google Sheet Basics - The Absolute Basics
Move Cells to New Row with Formula
Your First Formula
Learn Google Sheet Formulas The Hard Way
Ultimate Checklist in Google Sheets
Related blog posts
Guides that explain Google Sheets formula syntax in more depth.
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Read post →Related glossary terms
regex in Google Sheets
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Read guide →visual formulas in Sheets
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Read guide →SQL-style queries (QUERY)
The QUERY function runs a SQL-like statement against a range in your sheet. You SELECT columns, filter with WHERE, sort with ORDER BY, and aggregate with GROUP BY without building many helper columns. It is the closest native option to a small in-sheet database query.
Read guide →AI prompts for formulas
A good prompt describes your column layout, sample values, expected result, and Google Sheets functions you prefer. Vague asks like "make a formula" produce fragile ARRAYFORMULA guesses. Treat AI output as a draft you test in a copy tab before pasting into production.
Read guide →Done reading about Google Sheets formula syntax?
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