Google Sheets is a powerful tool for organizing and analyzing data. But have you ever found yourself staring at a bunch of numbers, not sure how the final values were calculated? Well, sometimes, we need to see the actual formulas behind the cells, not just the results. Lucky for you, there’s a simple way to show formulas in Google Sheets, and it’s just a couple of clicks away.
Step by Step Tutorial to Show Formulas in Google Sheets
Before we jump into the steps, let’s understand why this is helpful. Displaying formulas can be especially useful when you’re trying to troubleshoot a spreadsheet or understand how a particular result was derived. Let’s get started, shall we?
Step 1: Open your Google Sheet
Open the Google Sheet that contains the formulas you want to display.
When you’ve got your Google Sheet open, you’re ready to start showing those formulas.
Step 2: Click on ‘View’
Find and click on the ‘View’ option in the menu at the top of your screen.
This step is like opening a door to the secret garden of settings and options in Google Sheets.
Step 3: Select ‘Show Formulas’
In the dropdown menu that appears, click on ‘Show formulas’.
And just like magic, all the numbers transform into the formulas that made them.
Step 4: Toggle off ‘Show Formulas’ to Hide Them Again
To hide the formulas and display the results instead, simply go back to ‘View’ and click ‘Show formulas’ again to toggle it off.
It’s like flipping a switch – on to reveal the formulas, off to hide them. Easy, right?
After you’ve toggled the ‘Show formulas’ option, you’ll see all the formulas in each cell instead of the calculated results. This makes it much easier to follow the logic of the spreadsheet and make any necessary changes.
Tips for Showing Formulas in Google Sheets
- If you have a large sheet, it may be easier to view formulas one at a time by clicking on a cell and looking in the formula bar.
- Keyboard shortcut lovers can press
Ctrl+~(that’s the tilde key, often found to the left of the ‘1’ key) to toggle showing formulas on and off. - Remember to toggle ‘Show formulas’ off before printing or sharing your sheet, as you might not want to reveal your formula secrets to everyone.
- Showing formulas can also be a great learning tool if you’re trying to understand how someone else has set up a spreadsheet.
- If your formulas reference other sheets or documents, hovering over the cell while in ‘Show formulas’ mode will display a link to jump directly to the reference.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you show formulas in Google Sheets on mobile?
Unfortunately, the Google Sheets mobile app doesn’t currently support showing formulas. You’ll need to use the desktop version to view formulas.
Can you edit formulas while the ‘Show formulas’ mode is active?
Yes, you can edit directly in the cells or in the formula bar while ‘Show formulas’ is toggled on.
Does showing formulas reveal formulas in protected ranges or sheets?
If you have permission to view a protected range or sheet, showing formulas will reveal them. If you don’t have permission, they won’t be visible.
Will showing formulas slow down my Google Sheet?
No, showing formulas won’t slow down your Google Sheet, but it may make it harder to read if you have a lot of complex formulas.
Can I print the formulas from Google Sheets?
Yes, if you keep ‘Show formulas’ toggled on while printing, you’ll print the formulas instead of the calculated values.
Summary
- Open your Google Sheet.
- Click on ‘View’.
- Select ‘Show Formulas’.
- Toggle off ‘Show Formulas’ to hide them again.
Conclusion
Google Sheets is a versatile tool, but its full potential is unlocked when you understand the formulas behind the numbers. Showing formulas in Google Sheets is a breeze, and it’s an essential step for anyone looking to double-check their work or understand someone else’s spreadsheet. With these easy steps, you can toggle between results and formulas to your heart’s content. Keep in mind the tips mentioned to make the most out of this feature and remember the keyboard shortcut for even quicker access. And don’t forget, while the mobile app may not have this feature yet, the desktop version is always there to back you up. So go ahead, show those formulas in Google Sheets, and take control of your data today!