To left join two tables in Google Sheets, you need a powerful formula that can handle the task effortlessly. While it may seem complex at first glance, customizing it for your specific table ranges is actually quite simple. In this article, we’ll walk you through the process of left joining two tables in Google Sheets and show you how to use a formula to get the job done.
Understanding Left Joins
Before we dive into the details, let’s quickly recap what left join actually means. In a left join, two tables are combined into a new one, retaining all rows from the first table (left table) and incorporating matching rows from the second table (right table) based on a shared field, such as an ID. This shared field is crucial for left joining two tables, as it serves as the basis for merging the data.
Left Joining Made Easy: The Array Formula
To left join two tables in Google Sheets, we’ll be using an array formula. This formula performs a left join between two tables, retaining all records from the left table. It assumes that unique records exist in the right table’s ID column.
Here’s the array formula for left joining two tables in Google Sheets:
=ArrayFormula(LET(
lt, A2:D8,
lt_id, C2:C8,
rt, F2:H6,
rt_id, F2:F6,
look_up, IFNA(VLOOKUP(lt_id, HSTACK(rt_id, rt), SEQUENCE(1, COLUMNS(rt), 2), 0)),
HSTACK(lt, look_up)
))You can find a screenshot of the array formula in action in the provided sample sheet at Crawlan.com.
How Does the Formula Work?
Now, let’s break down the formula and understand how it works.
The formula utilizes the LET function to assign names to different parts of the formula.
Here are the LET assignments used in the formula:
lt: Defines the data range of the left table, including the header row.lt_id: Defines the ID column of the left table, including the header row.rt: Defines the data range of the right table, including the header row.rt_id: Defines the ID column of the right table, including the header row.look_up: VLOOKUP searches for the IDs from the left table (lt_id) within the ID column of the right table (rt_id) and returns matching records from the right table (rt).
The formula expression, HSTACK(lt, look_up), merges the data from the left table (lt) with the lookup result (look_up). This segment is crucial as it precisely accomplishes the intended left join functionality by returning only the matching records from the right table, not the entire right table.
Fine-Tuning the Merged Table
Once you have successfully left joined two tables using the array formula, you can further fine-tune the merged table to meet your specific needs. For example, you can use the QUERY function to reorder columns, sort data, and even perform aggregations.
Experiment with the QUERY function to unleash the full potential of your merged table in Google Sheets. Mastering the QUERY function opens up a world of possibilities for analyzing and manipulating data.
Conclusion: Empower Your Data Analysis with Left Joins
Now that you have learned how to left join two tables in Google Sheets using an array formula, you have a powerful tool at your disposal for merging and analyzing data. Left joins are essential in data analysis, enabling you to combine data from multiple sources and gain valuable insights.
If you want to explore more data manipulation techniques in Google Sheets, be sure to check out Crawlan.com. Our website is a treasure trove of tutorials and resources that will help you become a Google Sheets expert.
Remember, the power of left joins lies in your hands. Unleash the potential of your data and take your analysis to new heights with left joins in Google Sheets.
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