A powerful spreadsheet program that lets you organize, examine and display data is called Google Sheets. The ability to apply a formula to a whole column in Google Sheets is one of its most helpful capabilities.
In this post, we’ll show the usage of Google Sheets to apply a formula to a whole column.
What is the Purpose in Google Sheets of Applying Formula to Entire Columns?
Applying a formula to an entire column is primarily done to speed up and improve productivity when working with large data sets. Instead of manually typing the formula for each individual cell, you can automatically execute the same calculation on all of the cells in a column by applying a formula to the entire column. Additionally, you can quickly change a formula and instantly apply changes to every cell in the column by applying the formula to the entire column. Overall, you may use Google Sheets to work more effectively and efficiently with your data by applying a formula to a whole column.
What are the Benefits in Google Sheets of Applying Formulas to Entire Columns?
The major benefits of applying a formula to entire columns in Google Sheets are:
- Save Time: Instead of manually typing the formula for each individual cell, you can automatically execute the same calculation on all of the cells in a column by applying a formula to the entire column. When working with huge data sets, in particular, this saves time and effort.
- Ensures consistency and accuracy: By ensuring that the same calculation is made on each cell in the column when a formula is applied to the entire column, you can maintain the correctness and consistency of your data.
- Scalability: When working with huge datasets, applying a formula to a whole column is more effective and scalable than applying it to each individual cell.
How to Apply Formula to Entire Columns in Google Sheets?
To apply the formula on entire columns in Google Sheets, we have three different methods:
To understand all these methods, let us consider an example of the Google Sheets for “Grocery Detail”:
We will apply the formula to the last column “Total Price” and insert the values by multiplying the quantity with their prices.
Method 1: Apply the Formula to Entire Columns by Dragging the Formula Down
To apply the formula to entire columns by dragging the formula down, follow the steps:
Step 1: Enter the formula
First, enter the formula in the first cell of the column, for example, we will apply “=C2*D2”:
Step 2: Drag the Selection
Now select the first cell and drag the selection with the help of the mouse cursor to the last cell to which the formula is supposed to be applied:
The formula is applied to the entire column successfully:
Method 2: Apply the Formula to Entire Columns using the Fill Handle
Another method is simple, just enter the formula in the first cell of the column as shown in method 1. Then double-click on the left corner of the cell where the formula is entered:
The formula is applied automatically to the entire column:
Method 3: Apply the Formula to Entire Columns using the Shortcut Key
The last method is by using the autofill feature with the shortcut key “CTRL+ENTER”. Like previous methods enter the formula to the first cell of the column and then select the entire column:
Press the “CTRL+ENTER” shortcut key and the selected column will be filled with the entered formula:
Conclusion
To apply the formula on an entire column in Google Sheets, three different methods Dragging the Formula Down, using the Fill Handle, and the Shortcut key can be used. All these methods are explained in simple steps with the demonstration of examples.
