Are you tired of manually grouping your data in Google Sheets? Well, fret no more! I’m here to show you a simple trick that will save you time and effort. In this tutorial, we’ll learn how to group a column based on the first few characters, using the powerful Query function. So, let’s dive in and discover how to make your data work for you!
Steps to Group a Column Based on First Few Characters in Google Sheets
Before we get started, let’s set up a sample data set. For this tutorial, we’ll be working with a dataset in Column A, where we want to group the data based on the first two letters.
Now, here’s the formula you need to achieve this:
=query({ArrayFormula(left(A2:A6,2)),B2:F6},"Select Col1, Sum (Col4) group by Col1 label Col1 'Item Code', Sum (Col4) 'Total of Qty'")Let’s break it down:
Formula Explanation
Our original data is in the range A2:F6. However, instead of using this range directly in the Query formula, we’ll create a virtual range. This is where the magic happens!
{ArrayFormula(left(A2:A6,2)),B2:F6}The ArrayFormula, along with the Left function, allows us to extract the first two characters from each cell in Column A. By combining it with Curly Braces, we create a virtual data range that aligns with the extracted column.
Now that we have our virtual data range, we can use it in the Query function. In this example, we’re selecting Column 1 (our extracted column) and summing Column 4 (Qty. Recd.) based on the grouped values in Column 1.
And voila! You’ve successfully grouped a column based on the first few characters in Google Sheets.
Feel free to apply these tips and tricks to your own dataset and explore the possibilities offered by this virtual data range in the Query function. It’s like having a virtual assistant to do the heavy lifting for you!
Remember, the more you explore the functions in Google Sheets, the more you’ll unleash its true potential. So go ahead, experiment, and let your data tell you its secrets!
If you’re hungry for more Google Sheets tutorials, head over to Crawlan.com, your go-to source for all things Google Sheets. Until next time, happy sheeting!
