Copying formulas in Google Sheets is a basic skill that every user should know, as it’s a powerful tool for automating calculations across multiple cells. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced user, this article will explore different methods to copy formulas in Google Sheets and make your work easier. Let’s get started!!!
How to Copy Formulas in Google Sheets? (3 Common Methods)
If you have hundreds of rows and want to perform the same copy on all rows, there are simpler methods to accomplish this task than copy-pasting – Array Formulas.
Method 1: Copying Formulas Using the Menu
Step 1 After opening your Google Sheets, make sure to select the cell containing the formulas you want to copy.
Click on the Edit menu at the top and choose the Copy option.
Step 2 Select the next cell where you want to copy the formula.
Click on the Edit menu to see different options. Click on the Paste option. The formula will immediately appear in the selected cell.
Step 3 If the cell from which you copied the formula contains specific formatting, that formatting will be copied to the new cell along with the formula.
If you want to exclude formatting during the paste operation, you can use the Paste special submenu located below the Paste menu option to choose the type of paste you want to apply.
Step 4 For this, open the Edit menu again and click on the Paste special submenu.
Select Only formulas among the listed options.
Step 5 Using this method of formula pasting does not change the formatting of the destination cell.
Method 2: Copying Formulas Using the Fill Handle
Step 1 Select the cell containing the formula you want to copy.
A small blue square will appear in the bottom right corner of the selected cell.
Step 2 Click and hold the fill handle with your mouse. Then, drag it to select the cells where you want to copy the formula. You can drag it horizontally across a row or vertically from top to bottom in a column.
Step 3 Once you release the mouse, the formula will be copied to all cells you dragged the selection over.
You can do the same for other cells to add more cells, ensuring the formula is copied to all necessary cells.
Method 3: Copying Formulas Using Keyboard Shortcuts on Windows and Mac
Keyboard shortcuts are the fastest method to copy and paste formulas:
Step 1 Select the cell containing the formula you want to copy.
Step 2 On your Windows keyboard, press Ctrl + c for the copy keyboard shortcut. Similarly, on your Mac keyboard, press Command + c.
Step 3 Select the cell where you want to copy the formula.
Step 4 Press Ctrl + v on your Windows keyboard or Command + v on your Mac keyboard to paste the formula.
Why Copy Formulas in Google Sheets?
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Save Time and Effort: Copying formulas in Google Sheets can save you a lot of time and effort, especially when working with large data sets or performing repetitive calculations. Manually entering the same formula multiple times can be time-consuming, especially if the formula is complex.
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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 selected cells, maintaining consistency in your data. Copying formulas reduces the risk of errors compared to manually entering the same formula multiple times. Even a simple typo can lead to incorrect results.
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FAQ
1. How to Apply the Same Formula to Multiple Cells in Google Sheets?
When working with data in spreadsheets, it’s often necessary to apply formulas across columns. Fortunately, Google Sheets provides at least three techniques to accomplish this: using the fill handle, using menu options, using keyboard shortcuts, and using the suggested autofill function. These approaches can be effectively used to apply formulas or use built-in functions to columns, rows, or even entire tables.
Enter the desired formula in the first available cell at the top of the column. Then, place your cursor on the bottom right corner of the cell until it transforms into a “+” symbol. Hold down the mouse button and drag the selection down the column to extend the application of the formula to all necessary cells for your calculations.
2. How to Autofill a Formula in Google Sheets?
An alternative method to apply a formula to a column without manually dragging is to use the autofill function. Once you have entered your formula and pressed the “Enter” key, the autofill suggestion will immediately appear.
- Type the formula and press “Enter”
Type the formula you want into 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.
3. What is the Keyboard Shortcut for Autofill in Google Sheets?
You can also use the following keyboard shortcuts for autofill in Google Sheets:
- Ctrl + R to fill right.
- Ctrl + D to fill down.
- Ctrl + Enter to fill a selection.
Summary
Copying formulas in Google Sheets is a fundamental skill that simplifies 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 streamlines complex calculations and data management. Google Sheets and WPS Office provide accessible platforms for this task, enabling efficient replication of formulas across cells and ranges.
Whether you’re working online or offline, these techniques allow you to harness the full potential of spreadsheet software, improving your workflow and decision-making processes.
For WPS Office users, the procedure described in this article is for you:
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Select the source cell: Click on the cell containing the formula you want to copy.
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Copy the formula: Use Ctrl+C (Windows/Linux) or Command+C (Mac) to copy the formula.
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Choose the destination cell(s): Go to the cell(s) where you want to duplicate the formula.
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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.
Google Sheets and WPS Office simplify the process of copying formulas, making data manipulation seamless. Whether working in the cloud with Google Sheets or using WPS Office for its versatility, the ability to copy formulas effectively is essential for accurate calculations and analysis.
However, if your daily tasks involve frequently editing documents, you probably know that each document format requires a unique approach, and in some situations, even specific applications.
Dealing with a WPS file may unexpectedly hinder your workflow, especially when attempting to edit it without proper tools. To avoid encountering such challenges, consider using a WPS spreadsheet editor capable of meeting all your needs, regardless of the file extension. This way, you’ll be able to seamlessly edit your WPS files and use formulas without any obstacles.
