Do functions like Vlookup, Sumif, etc. scare you? Don’t worry. Let me introduce you to the Explore feature in Google Sheets. It may not teach you the functions themselves, but it can definitely solve your problems associated with them.
Unleashing the Power of Explore
Explore is a hidden gem, tucked away in the bottom right corner of your Google Sheets window. Just click on the small button, and voila! A sidebar panel opens up, ready to assist you. If you prefer shortcuts, you can access it quickly using the Alt+Shift+X keystroke combination.
The purpose of Explore in Google Sheets is simple: to help you solve your Google Sheets problems. All you need to do is type in your question, and Explore will provide you with custom formula or chart suggestions instantly. It’s like having a personal assistant for your spreadsheets!
The Explore feature in Google Sheets is not only useful for beginners, but also for regular users. Even I, as a senior Sheets expert, have used the Explore feature to tackle tricky tasks. For example, I recently utilized it to create a Scatter chart that was giving me trouble with its trendline. You can find the detailed tips on how I resolved this issue in my article – Common Errors That You May Face in Scatter Chart in Google Sheets.
How to Ask the Right Questions
Now that you know the power of Explore, let’s learn how to ask well-phrased questions that will yield accurate results. It’s important to structure your questions in a way that Explore can understand and analyze effectively.
If you have well-organized data, you can use the Explore feature to get formula suggestions. But remember, in order to receive proper answers, you must include the column heading or field label in your question. This enables Explore to provide the most relevant and accurate solutions for your specific data.
For example, let’s say you want to sum the “Price” column. Instead of simply asking “sum Price,” phrase your question as “sum Column D” or “sum the Price column.” This precision helps Explore understand exactly what you’re looking for and generates the appropriate formula.
Discover the Power of Formulas Generated by Explore
Let’s delve into some examples of problems that can be solved using Explore. These include the common tasks of summing, counting, averaging, and performing Vlookup-like operations.
Again, it’s essential to remember that the formulas suggested by Explore may not always be the one you were expecting. However, they will still provide the correct result. Let’s take a look at a few scenarios:
Sum/Count/Average Made Easy
Suppose you want to sum the “Price” column. Ask the question “sum Price” or “sum Column D” in the Explore panel. Click on the “See formula” link, copy the formula provided, and paste it in the desired cell. Here’s an example of the formula recommended by Explore:
=SUM(Sheet12!D2:D6)
Similarly, you can use the Explore feature to count the number of items. Just ask the question “Count Item” in the Explore panel. To find the average rate, type the question “Average Rate.”
Simplifying Vlookup
Vlookup can sometimes be a bit tricky to use. Fortunately, Explore can come to your rescue. If you are unsure about which function to use, or if you’re not familiar with Vlookup, you can rely on the Explore feature in Google Sheets.
For example, let’s say you want to find the price of the item “Banana” using Vlookup. Instead of manually writing the Vlookup formula, ask the following question in Explore: “Price of Banana from Item column.”
Here’s the formula recommended by Explore:
=UNIQUE(FILTER(Sheet12!D2:D6,TO_TEXT(Sheet12!A2:A6)="Banana",Sheet12!D2:D6<>"")
Although the formula may differ from the traditional Vlookup, the result will be the same. Explore takes into account the versatility of functions in Google Sheets and suggests alternative formulas that can achieve the desired outcome.
Sumif/Sumifs Made Simple
Now let’s explore how to sum a column conditionally using the Explore feature. Suppose you want to sum column D (Quantity) if the date in column A (Date) is 04/11/2018. Ask the question “sum of Quantity if Date is 04/11/2018” in the Explore panel.
Here’s the formula recommended by Explore:
=SUM(FILTER(Sheet12!D2:D10,TO_TEXT(Sheet12!A2:A10)="04/11/2018"))
Although this formula is not the traditional Sumif, it provides the correct answer of 1683.00. The traditional Sumif formula would be:
=SUMIF(A2:A10,DATE(2018,11,4),D2:D10)
Explore also helps with Sumifs, which allows you to deal with multiple conditions in a sum operation. Just specify the conditions in your question, and Explore will suggest the appropriate formula.
Unveiling Maxifs
Finally, let’s explore the conditional Max formula. Suppose you want to find the maximum quantity in column D if the item in column B is “Item 1.” Ask the question “Max Quantity if Item is Item 1” in Explore.
Here’s the formula recommended by Explore:
=MAX(FILTER(Sheet12!D2:D10,TO_TEXT(Sheet12!B2:B10)="Item 1"))
Learning by Googling
Personally, I don’t recommend relying solely on the Explore feature to master functions and complex formulas. While Explore can provide correct results, it’s essential to understand the underlying principles. If you want to become a true Sheets expert, I encourage you to learn the basics and develop your skills by exploring additional resources such as my comprehensive Google Sheets Functions Guide.
Beyond Formulas: Formatting and Chart Suggestions
The Explore feature in Google Sheets offers more than just formula recommendations. It can assist you with formatting and charting as well.
For alternating cell colors, simply select the table you want to format and go to the Explore panel. Scroll down to the “Formatting” section and choose the desired color. You can edit or remove the formatting later directly from the same panel.
Creating charts in Google Sheets is a breeze with Explore. Just highlight your data and press Alt+Shift+X. Explore will suggest various chart options based on your data. If you can’t find the perfect chart, don’t hesitate to check out my collection of chart tutorials on Crawlan.com. You can start with the article Google Sheets Charts: Built-in Charts, Dynamic Charts, and Custom Charts.
Embrace the Power of Explore
That’s a wrap on the Explore feature in Google Sheets. It’s an incredibly powerful tool that can save you time and simplify complex tasks. However, remember to use it wisely and continue learning and honing your skills by exploring additional resources like Crawlan.com. Happy exploring!
