Transforming Data with TOROW Function in Google Sheets

GiGiKing·March 31, 2024·0 comments

Have you ever struggled with transforming a range of cells into a single row in Google Sheets? Well, worry no more! In this tutorial, I will show you how to use the TOROW function and discuss its real-life applications.

What is the TOROW Function?

The TOROW function is a newly introduced (2023) function in Google Sheets that allows you to transform a range of cells into a single row. It eliminates the need for complex combinations of functions like FLATTEN, TRANSPOSE, and FILTER, making data manipulation a breeze.

TOROW Function Syntax and Arguments

The syntax for the TOROW function is as follows:

TOROW(array_or_range, [ignore], [scan_by_column])

The arguments for the function are as follows:

  • array_or_range: The array or cell range to return as a row.
  • ignore: Determines whether to ignore blanks (1), errors (2), or both (3). By default (0), no values are ignored.
  • scan_by_column: Specifies whether to scan the range by column (TRUE) or by row (FALSE) [default].

Let’s look at a few examples of using the TOROW function in Google Sheets.

Examples of TOROW Function in Google Sheets

Consider the range B2:D6 with values generated using the SEQUENCE formula. In cell G2, you can use the following formula to scan these values by column:

=TOROW(B2:D6,0,true)

On the other hand, in cell G5, the formula scans the values by row:

=TOROW(B2:D6,0,false)

Understanding the difference between scanning by column and by row is crucial when using the TOROW function effectively. In both formulas, the ignore parameter is set to 0, which means that no values are ignored.

Alternative Solutions

In the past, complex formulas involving TRANSPOSE, FLATTEN, and additional functions like FILTER and IFERROR were required to achieve similar results to the TOROW function. However, these alternatives were cumbersome and time-consuming.

Real-life Use: Inserting Blank Columns between Data

One of the practical applications of the TOROW function is inserting blank columns between data in Google Sheets. This manipulation allows for better data analysis and organization.

By combining the TOROW function with the WRAPROWS function, you can transform a range of single rows into a multi-row range with blank columns. This makes it easier to work with the data.

How to Insert Blank Columns between Data Using TOROW

To insert blank columns between data in Sheets, follow these steps:

  1. Flatten the data into a row by scanning the values by row using TOROW. Set scan_by_column to FALSE. 
    TOROW({torow(data,0,false)
  2. Generate error cells matching the number of cells in the data range. 
    index(torow(data/0,0,false))
  3. Create an array combining the results from step 1 and step 2. 
    {step#1;step#2}
  4. Use another TOROW function to flatten this “new” array into a row, but this time scan by column. Set scan_by_column to TRUE. 
    TOROW({step#1;step#2},0,true)
  5. Finally, use the WRAPROWS function to create an array with the desired number of blank columns. 
    WRAPROWS(range, wrap_count, [pad_with])

    Note: wrap_count should be set to the number of columns in the data multiplied by 2.

By following these steps, you can easily insert blank columns between data using the power of the TOROW and WRAPROWS functions in Google Sheets!

For more tips and tricks on utilizing Google Sheets to its maximum potential, visit Crawlan.com.

Now that you know how to harness the TOROW function’s power, go ahead and streamline your data manipulation with ease. Say goodbye to convoluted formulas and embrace the simplicity of TOROW in Google Sheets. Happy analyzing and organizing!

GiGiKing

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