Are you struggling to understand the REDUCE function in Google Sheets? Don’t worry, I’m here to help! In this article, I’ll guide you through the ins and outs of the REDUCE function and how it can make your life easier when working with arrays.
Understanding the REDUCE Function
The REDUCE function is a powerful tool in Google Sheets that allows you to reduce an array to an accumulated value. It’s similar to the SCAN function, as both are LAMBDA helper functions that apply a LAMBDA to each value in the array.
The main difference between the two is that the SCAN function returns an array with each intermediate value in the accumulator, while the REDUCE function returns the total value in the accumulator. Let’s look at an example to illustrate this:
=scan(0,{5;4;9;10},lambda(a,v,a+v))The output of this SCAN formula will be the running total: {5;9;18;28}. But if you use the REDUCE formula instead:
=reduce(0,{5;4;9;10},lambda(a,v,a+v))You will get the final cell value of the SCAN formula output, which is 28. Understanding this difference is crucial in selecting the correct LAMBDA helper function for your problem in Google Sheets.
Syntax and Arguments of the REDUCE Function
To effectively use the REDUCE function, it’s important to understand its syntax and arguments. The syntax of the REDUCE function in Google Sheets is as follows:
REDUCE(initial_value, array_or_range, LAMBDA)Let’s break down the arguments:
initial_value: This argument sets the initial or starting value of the accumulator.array_or_range: Here, you specify the array or range that needs to be reduced.LAMBDA: This is a LAMBDA function that’s called to reduce the array or range. It takes two name arguments.
The syntax for the LAMBDA function is as follows:
=LAMBDA([name, ...],formula_expression)(function_call, ...)Please note that in standalone LAMBDA use, you only need to use the function_call argument. If you’re unfamiliar with this function, I recommend checking out my Google Sheets function guide to learn more.
In the REDUCE function syntax, name1 represents the accumulator, while name2 represents the calculation applied to each element in the array or range. Keeping these elements in mind will help you better understand the syntax of the REDUCE function.
Practical Examples of Using the REDUCE Function
Now that we grasp the basics of the REDUCE function, let’s dive into some practical examples of how to use it effectively in Google Sheets.
Example 1: Conditional Sum
To perform a conditional sum using the REDUCE function, you can use the following formula:
=REDUCE(0,B2:B,LAMBDA(a,v,IF(v>30,a+v,a)))This formula sums the values in the B2:B range if they are greater than 30. It’s equivalent to using a SUMIF formula:
=sumif(B2:B,">30")In this example, the logical test v>30 is applied to each element in the range. If it evaluates to TRUE, the value is added to the accumulator (a+v). If it’s FALSE, the accumulator value remains the same. This process is repeated for the entire column, resulting in the final reduced array result.
Example 2: Conditional Count
To count elements based on a condition using the REDUCE function, you can use formulas like the following:
=REDUCE(0,B2:B,LAMBDA(a,v,a+(v>30)))This formula counts the number of participants above the age of 30 in the B2:B range. It’s equivalent to using a COUNTIF formula:
=countif(B2:B,">30")Similarly, you can use the REDUCE function to count participants in a specific age group. For example:
=REDUCE(0,B2:B,LAMBDA(a,v,a+(and(v>20,v<30))))This formula counts the number of participants in the age group 20 to 30. It’s equivalent to using a COUNTIFS formula:
=countifs(B2:B,">20",B2:B,"<30")Unlocking the Full Potential of the REDUCE Function
Beyond conditional count and sum operations, the REDUCE function has many other applications in Google Sheets. Let’s explore a few more examples to showcase its versatility.
To return the last value in a numeric column, you can use the following REDUCE function-based formula:
=reduce(0,B:B,lambda(a,v,(if(v="",v+a,v))))If you want to find the last value in row number 2, you simply replace B:B with 2:2. If you have mixed type values, adjust the initial value (0) to "" and v+a to v&a.
Additionally, the following REDUCE formula can be used to total column B if column A values are “apple”:
=reduce(0,A:A,lambda(a,v,if(v="apple",offset(v,0,1)+a,a)))Excitingly, you can even create shorter named functions using these formulas – the possibilities are endless!
Conclusion
In this article, we’ve uncovered the power of the REDUCE function in Google Sheets. Now that you understand its syntax, arguments, and practical examples, you can leverage this function to solve a wide range of problems. Remember, the REDUCE function is not just limited to conditional count and sum operations. It offers a world of possibilities for simplifying your data analysis tasks in Google Sheets.
If you want to dive deeper into Google Sheets and explore more tips and tricks, be sure to visit Crawlan.com – your ultimate source for Google Sheets expertise. Together, we’ll uncover the full potential of this incredible tool!
