Have you ever come across the mixed data type issue in Query in Google Sheets? It can be quite a headache, but don’t worry, I’ve got some juicy secrets to help you solve this problem.
What is Mixed Data Type in Query?
Before we dive into the solutions, let me first clarify what mixed data type is and how it affects the output in Query. Simply put, if any single column in your dataset contains both text and numbers, that column is considered a mixed type column. This mixed data type affects the output in Query, as the majority data type determines the data type of the column, while the minority data types are considered null values.
Example of Mixed Data Type Column in Query
Let’s take a look at an example to better understand the issue. In the following example, the column B contains mixed types of data.
=query(A1:B8,"Select A,B order by A Desc",1) As you can see, when using Query to sort the data by column A in descending order, some of the values in column B (which are strings) are missing in the output. This is because the mixed data type in the column affects the Query result.
How to Deal With the Mixed Data Type Issue in Query
Now that we understand the problem, let’s explore some solutions to tackle the mixed data type issue in Query in Google Sheets.
Solution 1: Using the To_Text Function
One popular solution among Sheets experts is to use the To_Text function to convert numbers to text and make the column non-mixed. Here’s the formula that uses To_Text in Query data:
=ArrayFormula(query({A2:A8,to_text(B2:B8)},"Select Col1,Col2 order by Col1 Desc",0))By wrapping the formula with ArrayFormula, we ensure that To_Text is treated as an array formula. This solution allows you to perform calculations within Query without issues.
Solution 2: Using the N Function
Another way to handle the mixed data type issue is to use the N function in Query. The N function retains numbers as they are and returns 0 for other values. This solution is useful when you want to perform calculations in a column with mixed data types. Here’s an example formula to sum a mixed data type column in Query:
=Query({A2:A8,ArrayFormula(N(B2:B8))},"Select Sum(Col2)")Solution 3: Using the T Function
If you want to prioritize text values in a mixed type column, you can use the T function. The T function returns the text as it is and treats numbers as null values. Here’s an example formula to use the T function in Query data:
=ArrayFormula(query({A2:A8,T(B2:B8)},"Select *"))Solution 4: Using Info Type Functions
You can also use info type functions with the logical IF in Query to deal with mixed data type issues. For example, you can use the ISNUMBER function to convert a text and number column to a pure number column:
=ArrayFormula(query({A2:A8,if(isnumber(B2:B8),B2:B8,0)}))These workarounds can come in handy when you need to handle columns with mixed data types in Query.
Conclusion
The mixed data type issue in Query in Google Sheets can cause missing values in the output. However, by using functions like To_Text, N, T, Datevalue, and the Info type functions, you can tackle this issue and manipulate your data effectively.
Remember, these solutions are just a taste of what you can do with Query in Google Sheets. If you want to dive deeper into its capabilities and explore more tips and tricks, head over to Crawlan.com, where you’ll find a wealth of resources and insights.
So, go ahead and conquer the mixed data type issue in Query in Google Sheets like a pro. Happy querying!
