Sparkline source
=SPARKLINE(TOROW(B2:B13)) turns monthly vertical sales into an in-cell line chart.
What is TOROW in Google Sheets?
TOROW flattens a range into a single row spill. Like TOCOL but horizontal, it helps build header arrays, SPARKLINE source rows, and inputs for functions that expect one horizontal vector.
When to use it
Use TOROW when a vertical or matrix block must become one row for charts, sparklines, or horizontal MATCH lookups.
When to skip it
Skip TOROW when a column list is the goal. Use TOCOL instead.
How it works
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1
Reference the block to flatten into one row.
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2
Choose scan order with the optional second argument.
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3
Confirm the spill fits across empty columns to the right.
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4
Feed the row into SPARKLINE or MMULT as needed.
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5
Combine with TRANSPOSE if you need column after row reshape.
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6
Test on small range to confirm left-to-right order.
Examples in Google Sheets
Header merge
=TOROW(Headers!A1:D1) copies header labels into one row on a dashboard.
Matrix to row
=TOROW(A2:C4, 1) scans by column into one horizontal list for MATCH.
Build this without starting from a blank cell
Use a Better Sheets tool for TOROW, then watch a walkthrough when you want the full pattern.
Better Sheets resources
Common mistakes
- TOROW when TOCOL was needed, breaking downstream vertical formulas.
- Not leaving enough empty columns for wide spills.
- Including blank padding cells that flatten into zeros in charts.
- Using TOROW inside SUM expecting automatic aggregation.
- Wrong scan flag scrambling month order in trends.
Frequently asked questions
- TOROW vs TRANSPOSE?
- TRANSPOSE swaps rows and columns. TOROW always outputs one row from any shape.
- TOROW for SPARKLINE?
- Common pattern to convert vertical metrics to sparkline input.
- TOROW length?
- Equals cell count in the source rectangle.
- TOROW and blanks?
- Blanks flatten too. FILTER source first if needed.
- Can TOROW feed XLOOKUP?
- Yes as a horizontal lookup vector when aligned with keys.
- TOROW spill blocked?
- Clear cells to the right or move formula.
- TOROW vs FLATTEN?
- FLATTEN always column. TOROW makes one row.
Related Tutorials
Watch how TOROW works
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Related glossary terms
TOCOL
TOCOL converts a range into a single column. You can choose whether it reads down each column first or across rows first. It replaces manual paste-special transpose chains when reshaping blocks for UNIQUE or FILTER.
Read guide →HSTACK
HSTACK appends arrays horizontally so columns sit side by side in one spilled table. It replaces fragile copy-paste when combining QUERY outputs, IMPORTRANGE blocks, or calculated columns with matching row heights.
Read guide →VSTACK
VSTACK stacks arrays on top of each other into one taller table. Combine regional exports, monthly snapshots, or FILTER results with the same columns without manual paste below last row.
Read guide →FLATTEN
FLATTEN converts a two-dimensional range into a single column, reading across rows then down. It is useful after SPLIT or when you need every value from a block in one list for UNIQUE, COUNTIF, or mail merge prep.
Read guide →Done reading about TOROW?
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