9 Issues You Didn’t Know You Can Do With Google Sheets

by | Mar 6, 2024 | Etcetera | 0 comments

Google Sheets can do additional than just tracking and dealing with wisdom and numbers. There’s a whole global of cool strategies hidden inside Google Sheets that can make your existence more uncomplicated, imply you’ll artwork smarter, and get problems accomplished faster. Many of us use it for the basics, alternatively there’s so much more it’ll most certainly do.

In this data, we’re going to show you 9 excellent problems you probably didn’t know you must do with Google Sheets.

Get entry to Exact-time Stock Prices

GOOGLEFINANCE function in Google Sheets grants you get right to use to live financial knowledge.

As an example, to keep an eye on Google stock’s provide worth, simply use the formula:

=GOOGLEFINANCE("GOOGL", "worth")

This formula fetches the prevailing worth of Google’s stock without delay into your spreadsheet. It’s a great way to stay up to the moment with financial markets in real-time without ever leaving Google Sheets.

Will have to you’re interested by exploring the GOOGLEFINANCE function further, imagine learning our detailed data on monitoring inventory portfolios with Google Sheets. It supplies deeper insights on the use of the GOOGLEFINANCE function for portfolio regulate.

Stock track Google SheetsStock track Google Sheets

Additionally, for many who’re enthusiastic about managing crypto portfolios with Google Sheets, we’ve got now free templates available for quick use.

Generating QR Codes

Are you aware that Google Sheets can be used to generate QR codes from URLs? This selection is relatively handy, specifically because it is helping growing a few QR codes without delay. All you need to do is enter the URLs in one row, and Google Sheets will mechanically generate QR codes inside the next row for you.

generate QR code

As an example, putting a URL in cell A1 will result inside the QR code appearing in cell A2.

To make this happen, simply insert the following formula into cell A2:

=image("https://chart.googleapis.com/chart?chs=300x300&cht=qr&chl="&ENCODEURL(A1))

This command transforms the URL from cell A1 proper right into a QR code that is 300&occasions;300 pixels in dimension. It’s a very simple and environment friendly way for generating QR codes right kind from your spreadsheet.

For additonal details, check out our previous post on the best way to create QR codes with Google Sheets. Additionally, you’ll be capable to create barcodes with Google Sheets as smartly.

Create Custom designed Functions

Google Apps Script supplies a powerful solution to enhance Google Sheets by the use of enabling you to craft custom designed functions tailored to your needs.

To create a custom designed function, transfer to “Extensions” on the Google Sheets menu bar and make a selection “Apps Script” from the record. This may increasingly on occasion unlock the Google Apps Script editor in a brand spanking new browser tab.

Google App Script

Within the editor, you’ll be greeted by the use of a coding setting where you’ll be capable to script in JavaScript. That’s the position you’ll be capable to create your custom designed function.

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Let’s illustrate this by the use of coding a very simple function to multiply two numbers:

/**
 * Multiplies two numbers.
 *
 * @param {amount} num1 The principle amount to multiply.
 * @param {amount} num2 The second amount to multiply.
 * @return The made from num1 and num2.
 * @customfunction
 */
function MULTIPLY(num1, num2) {
  return num1 * num2;
}

This code snippet introduces a function named MULTIPLY that accepts two arguments (num1 and num2) and outputs their multiplication result.

Once your function is ready, hit the save icon (very similar to a floppy disk) or navigate to “Report” > “Save” to store your script. You’ll be led to to name your undertaking; opt for a name that presentations the purpose of your script.

Save functionSave function

Returning to your Google Sheets, your custom designed function now integrates seamlessly with the existing functions. In a cell, sort =MULTIPLY( to appear your function advised inside the autocomplete menu.

Enter your desired parameters inside the formula, like so:

=MULTIPLY(10, 20)

This situation demonstrates using the MULTIPLY function to calculate the made from 10 and 20, resulting in 200 displayed inside the cell.

Web Scraping with IMPORTXML

Google Sheets can also use it to collect knowledge from the internet all over the IMPORTXML function. Let’s say you need to fetch the newest headline from a data internet web page, it’s imaginable you’ll use:

=IMPORTXML("https://www.examplenews.com", "//h1[@class='top-news-headline']")

This command retrieves the text from the primary data headline, provided it’s enclosed in an

tag and assigned the class top-news-headline, and places it without delay into your Google Sheet.

The program is a straightforward however environment friendly way for consolidating knowledge from relatively a large number of web websites proper right into a single location.

Checking for Broken Links

Will have to you’re dealing with a large number of links and want to unravel whether they’re broken, Google Sheets can also be too, be an invaluable tool for this job. By means of inputting all the links proper right into a Google Sheet, you’ll be capable to use Google Apps Script to mechanically take a look at every link’s HTTP status.

This process will populate adjacent cells with the HTTP status codes of every link, effectively indicating their operational status.

Google Sheet check statusGoogle Sheet check status

To know how to set this up, check out our data on the best way to test for damaged hyperlinks the usage of Google Sheets.

Workflow Automation with Macros

Macros in Google Sheets are a powerful function for automating repetitive tasks, saving you time and ensuring consistency to your artwork.

A macro data a chain of actions in a spreadsheet and then plays them once more within the an identical order. This is particularly useful for tasks that want to be repeated frequently, paying homage to formatting wisdom, applying filters, or showing calculations.

Imagine, at the end of every month, you generate a document in Google Sheets that requires a chain of formatting steps: atmosphere specific column widths, applying a header style, and sorting wisdom by the use of a particular column. Instead of manually showing the ones steps every time, you’ll be capable to automate the process with a macro.

Proper right here’s an example on one of the best ways to document, using and edit your Macro.

Step 1. Report the Macro
  1. Open your Google Sheets document.
  2. Go to Extensions > Macros > Report Macro.
  3. Perform the actions you need to automate. As an example:
  • Set column widths by the use of settling at the columns and adjusting their width.
  • Follow header varieties by the use of settling at the header row and choosing a text style, dimension, and background color.
  • Type the information by the use of settling at the selection and then using the Data > Type range chance, choosing the column during which you need to sort.
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  • After completing the actions, click on on “Save” inside the macro recording sidebar, give your macro a name (e.g., “Construction Per month Report”), and assign it a shortcut if desired.
  • Step 2. The usage of the Macro

    The next time you generate a monthly document, you’ll be capable to apply all the formatting steps you recorded by the use of running the macro. You’ll be capable to do this by the use of going to Extensions > Macros and settling at the macro you created, or by the use of using the shortcut you assigned.

    Step 3. Improving the Macro

    If you wish to keep watch over the actions performed by the use of your macro, you’ll be capable to edit the script without delay. Go to Extensions > Apps Script, find the function corresponding to your macro, and make the crucial changes inside the script editor.

    This macro capacity turns repetitive, manual tasks into one-click operations, significantly bettering efficiency and accuracy to your artwork with Google Sheets.

    Enhanced Conditional Formatting

    Previous basic color coding, Google Sheets allows the application of intricate conditional formatting regulations.

    As an example, you must organize regulations to color product sales wisdom green when it surpasses a decided on function and red when it does now not meet the brink.

    Moreover, you’ve gotten the flexibility to use custom designed formula for conditional formatting, paying homage to =AND(A2>100, A2<200), to focus on cells inside a specified range that come with values between 100 and 200.

    Piece of email Automation

    Google Sheets, moreover with the help of Google Apps Script, supplies the capability to automate email sending in keeping with specified necessities or triggers. This capacity proves treasured for sending out routine research, reminders, or notifications.

    Proper right here’s one of the best ways to prepare an email automation function:

    Step 1. Open Google Apps Script
    1. Get entry to your Google Sheet.
    2. Select Extensions from the menu.
    3. Select Apps Script.

    This movement will unlock the Google Apps Script editor, a space where you are able to craft and save scripts attached to your Google Sheet.

    Step 2. Write the Piece of email Function

    Inside the Apps Script editor, beginning with an empty script, each paste the provided example function or compose your own. For your reference, proper right here’s a trend function:

    function sendWeeklyReport() {
      var emailAddress = "group of workers@example.com"; // Adjust this to the recipient's email maintain
      var subject = "Weekly Product sales Report"; // Regulate this for your email's subject
      var message = "Please find the weekly document connected."; // Tailor this to your email's body content material subject matter
      MailApp.sendEmail(emailAddress, subject, message);
    }
    

    After hanging or crafting your function, press the disk icon or navigate to Report > Save to handle your script. Assign a name to your undertaking for simple identification.

    Step 3. Triggering the Function

    To stipulate the execution schedule for this function, decide a reason:

    1. Inside the Apps Script editor, click on at the clock icon on the left panel or opt for Edit > Provide undertaking‘s triggers.
    2. Hit + Add Motive at the bottom right kind.
    3. From the drop-down menu, make a selection the function to execute (sendWeeklyReport).
    4. Opt for the reason sort (e.g., Time-driven) to unravel the execution frequency. For weekly dispatches, it is imaginable you’ll be able to make a selection the Week timer and specify the day and time.
    5. Click on on Save.
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    Follow: Granting Permissions

    The initial setup of a reason or the main execution of a script that interfaces with Gmail will advised Google to request permission analysis. Follow the ones steps:

    1. Hit the Overview Permissions button.
    2. Select your Google account.
    3. Be told the permission request and grant approval by the use of clicking Allow, thereby authorizing your script to send emails on your behalf.
    Additional Notes
    • Take a look at that your Google Sheets document encompasses all crucial wisdom that your script would most likely reference for the email’s contents.
    • The script can also be adjusted to incorporate dynamic wisdom from your Sheets into the email’s body or subject.
    • Forward of automating the script, conduct a take a look at run to ensure its capacity.

    API Integration for Reside Data

    Final alternatively nott least, Google Sheets can also mix with external APIs to drag in real-time wisdom, making improvements to your spreadsheets with fresh knowledge without delay from the web. An easy-to-understand example is together with real-time overseas cash trade fees without the will for an API key.

    Example

    Imagine you need to watch the trade value between the US greenback (USD) and the Euro (EUR). The IMPORTDATA function can be utilized to fetch wisdom from a public API that gives this knowledge without an API key requirement.

    =IMPORTDATA("https://api.exchangerate-api.com/v4/latest/USD")
    

    This formula imports the latest overseas cash trade fees for the usa greenback from the ExchangeRate-API, a platform that provides complimentary get right to use to overseas cash conversion fees.

    Following the import, you are able to pinpoint the appropriate cell that lists the EUR value and employ it to your financial models or analyses.

    How you’ll Use the Imported Data
    1. Identify the Cellular with the Desired Data: After importing the JSON wisdom into your spreadsheet, you will come throughout relatively a couple of overseas cash codes alongside their trade fees. Find the cell containing the EUR value in the case of USD.
    2. Reference the Data in Your Calculations: This cell can also be referenced to your financial calculations. As an example, if in case you have a sum in USD in cell A1 and wish to convert it to EUR, you must use a formula like =A1 * [Cell containing EUR rate].
    3. Automate Updates: To stick the information up-to-date, you are able to configure the spreadsheet to refresh mechanically at specific sessions, paying homage to every hour or daily. This option is obtainable under Report > Spreadsheet Settings > Calculation.

    Conclusion

    Google Sheets is much more than a simple spreadsheet tool; it’s a powerful tool for wisdom analysis, automation, and collaboration. By means of leveraging the sophisticated choices and integrating with external wisdom property, consumers can become their spreadsheets into dynamic, interactive dashboards and research.

    Whether or not or no longer you’re managing personal finances, overseeing a undertaking, or analyzing sophisticated datasets, the following tips will let you unlock the entire imaginable of Google Sheets. Dive in and uncover what Google Sheets can do for you.

    The post 9 Issues You Didn’t Know You Can Do With Google Sheets seemed first on Hongkiat.

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