Copying formulas in Google Sheets is a basic skill that all operators of computers using it for data work should know because it is very easy to use and helps you automate calculations across multiple cells.
Do you want to know how to copy formulas in Google Sheets? Worry less, this article will delve into different processes in which you can copy formulas in Google Sheets and make work easy for you. Let's go!!!
How to copy Formulas in Google Sheets? (3 Common Ways)
If you have more than hundreds of rows and want to make the same copy to all the rows, then there are easier methods to perform the tasks that copy-paste - Array Formulas.
Method 1: Copy Formulas Using the Menu
Step 1 After you open your Google Sheets, make sure you select the cell that has the formulas you want to copy.
Click on the Edit menu at the top and select the Copy option:
Step 2 Select the next cell you want to copy the formula to.
Click the Edit menu to see different options. Click the Paste option. The formula will appear immediately in the selected cell.
Step 3 If there is some other specific formatting in the cell you copied the formula from, that formatting will be copied to the new cell along with the formula.
If you wish to exclude the formatting during the Paste operation, you can make use of the Paste special submenu located below the Past menu option to choose the type of paste you intend to apply.
Step 4 To do this, open the Edit menu again and click the Paste special submenu.
Select Formulas Only from the listed options.
Step 5 Using this method to paste formulas doesn't change the formatting of the destination cell.
Method 2: Copy Formulas Using the Drag Handle
Step 1 Select the cell that has the formula you want to copy.
A small blue square will show in the lower right-hand corner of the chosen cell.
Step 2 Click and hold the drag handle using your mouse. Then move it to select the cells where you intend to copy the formula to. You can drag it horizontally across a row or vertically up and down a column.
Step 3 Once you release the mouse, the formula will be copied across all cells over which you dragged the selection.
You can do the same thing for other cells to add more cells ensuring that the formula is copied to all necessary cells.
Method 3: Copy Formulas Using Keyboard Shortcuts On Windows and Mac
Keyboard Shortcuts is the fastest method to achieve your copy and paste formulas:
Step 1 Select the cell that has the formula you want to copy.
Step 2 On your Windows keyboard, hit Ctrl + c to ease the copy keyboard shortcut. Also, on your Mac, hit Command + c
Step 3 Select the cell you want to copy the formula to.
Step 4 Hit Ctrl + v on your Windows or Command + v on your Mac keyboard to paste the formula
Why Copy Formulas In Google Sheets
Saving Time and Effort: Copying formulas in Google Sheets can save you a lot of time and effort, especially when working with large datasets or performing repetitive calculations. Manually typing out the same formula multiple times can be time-consuming, especially if the formula is complex.
To copy a formula in Google Sheets, you typically just need to select the cell containing the formula, then use the Menu method, Drag Handle method, and Keyboard shortcut method.
Consistency and Accuracy: When you have a complex formula that you want to apply to multiple cells or rows, manually entering the formula each time can lead to errors and inconsistencies.
Copying the formula in Google Sheets ensures that the same logic is applied to all the selected cells, maintaining uniformity in your data. Copying formulas reduces the likelihood of introducing errors compared to manually entering the same formula multiple times. Even a simple typo can lead to incorrect results.
Edit your spreadsheets offline for free - WPS Office
WPS Office is a popular office suite software that offers features for creating and editing documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. WPS Spreadsheet is a free solution for data analysis and visualization, equipping users with free templates to manage charts, monitor budgets, and analyze individual or corporate financial matters.
WPS Office allows users to work offline, which means you can access and edit your documents without an active internet connection. This is particularly useful when you're in a location with limited or no internet access.
Pros of WPS Office
Free download and free-to-use Word, Excel, and PPT. Powerful PDF toolkit: WPS Office offers a multitude of benefits to users, making it the best choice for document processing. One major advantage is its cost-effectiveness, as it provides free access to essential tools like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint equivalents. This enables users to create, edit, and share files seamlessly without any financial burden. However, WPS Office allows the use of a PDF toolkit, enhancing its functionality by allowing users to edit, convert, and annotate PDFs.
Rich template store: WPS Office provides different benefits but its rich template store is one thing that enhances user productivity and creativity. This convenience saves valuable time and effort, offering professionally designed starting points for projects.
Rich functions: WPS Office is the best due to its extensive range of rich functions, elevating it as a top choice for productivity software. WPS Office's rich functions not only enhance efficiency but also empower users to delve into complex projects with confidence, making it a compelling and user-friendly option.
FAQS
1. How do I apply the same formula to multiple cells in Google Sheets?
When dealing with data in spreadsheets, the necessity to implement formulas across entire columns frequently arises. Fortunately, Google Sheets offers a minimum of three techniques to achieve this: employing the drag-and-fill handle, utilizing the menu options, employing keyboard shortcuts, and embracing the suggested Autofill feature. These approaches can be effectively utilized to apply formulas or utilize built-in functions across columns, rows, or even entire tables.
Enter the desired formula into the first available cell at the top of the column. Then, position your cursor over the lower-right corner of the cell until it transforms into a "+" symbol. Hold the mouse button and drag the selection box down the column to extend the application of the formula to all the cells needed for your calculations.
2. How do I autofill a formula in Google Sheets?
An alternative method for applying a formula to a column without manual dragging is to use the Autofill feature. Once you type in your formula and press the 'Enter' key, the suggestion for Autofill will appear immediately.
Type the Formula and press ‘Enter’
Type the formula you want in the first cell where you want to use it. For example, let's say you want to calculate the sum of two cells A1 and B1. You would enter =A1+B1 in the first cell.
Imagine having the data displayed in the provided screenshot. In this dataset, Column A represents the January Sales Amount in US Dollars. Now, in Column B, we aim to use a formula that calculates the Profit. This calculation involves a straightforward 10% computation based on the Sales Amount.
In cell B2, type the formula =A2*0.10 or =A2*10%. Both of these formulas produce the same result and generate 10% of the Sales Amount in cell B2. Copy cell B2 using Ctrl + C. This will copy the formula in the cell.
Select the entire range from cell B3 to B8 and through your keyboard, hit Ctrl + V to paste it across the rows.
The formula will do its work and capture the 5% of revenue for each sales value present in column A.
It's very easy, right? It is indeed!
3. What is the keyboard shortcut for Autofill (Fill Handle) in Google Sheets?)
You can also use the following shortcuts to autofill in Google Sheets:
Ctrl + R to autofill to the right.
Ctrl + D to autofill down.
Ctrl + Enter to autofill a selection
Summary
Copying formulas in Google Sheets is a fundamental skill that streamlines data processing and analysis. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced user, understanding this process can significantly enhance your productivity. Mastering the art of copying formulas simplifies complex calculations and data management. Google Sheets and WPS Office provide accessible platforms for this task, facilitating efficient formula replication across cells and ranges.
Whether you're working online or offline, these techniques empower you to harness the full potential of spreadsheet software, enhancing your workflow and decision-making processes.
For WPS Office users, the procedure in this article is for you:
Select the Source Cell: Click on the cell with the formula you want to copy.
Copy the Formula: Use Ctrl+C (Windows/Linux) or Command+C (Mac) to copy the formula.
Choose the Destination Cell(s): Go to the cell(s) where you want the formula to be duplicated.
Paste the Formula: Press Ctrl+V (Windows/Linux) or Command+V (Mac) to paste the formula. The formula will adjust to the new cell references.
Both Google Sheets and WPS Office streamline the process of copying formulas, making data manipulation seamless. Whether you're working in the cloud with Google Sheets or using WPS Office for its versatility, the ability to copy formulas efficiently is essential for accurate calculations and data analysis.
However, if your daily tasks involve frequent document editing, you're likely familiar with the fact that each document format demands its unique approach, and in certain situations, even specific applications.
Dealing with what might appear as a simple WPS file can unexpectedly halt your entire workflow, particularly when attempting to edit it without suitable tools. To avoid encountering such challenges, consider using a WPS Spreadsheet editor that can cater to all your needs regardless of the file extension. This way, you can seamlessly edit your WPS files and implement formulas without any obstacles.
