Transform Your Spreadsheets with Google Sheets Tables

Google Sheets’ Tables feature is a powerful tool for managing data. It provides an intuitive way to organise information, making it easier to input data, filter, sort, and group it. Whether you’re tracking projects, sales, or content calendars, using Tables can significantly improve your productivity. This guide will walk you through the key features of Tables, including creating and customising tables, data types, and more.

Creating a Table

To start, you can easily convert raw data into a table by clicking within the data and selecting the pop-up message to convert it.

If you prefer a quicker method, use the pre-built tables from the sidebar. If not visible, this can be opened from Insert > Tables. These templates are especially useful for tasks like tracking marketing content.

After creation, you can customise the table by adding, deleting, or renaming columns to better fit your needs.

Data Types and Validation

One of the useful features of Tables is the ability to assign specific data types to columns.

This ensures that users input the correct data, such as dates, currency, drop-down options. If data doesn’t match the set type, an error will appear, helping to maintain accuracy. You can also set up placeholders to guide users on the expected data format, which speeds up data entry.

Table Style

Customising the table’s appearance is simple. You can change the table name and adjust the range through the table menu. Additionally, you can modify the table’s colour scheme and decide whether or not to display alternating row colours for better readability. Changing the table’s name ensures clarity, especially when referencing it in formulas.

Sorting Data

Sorting data by a specific column is effortless. For instance, you can sort tasks by deadline, ensuring they’re ordered chronologically.

Filtering Data

Filtering data is equally simple—just select a column and filter by specific criteria, such as a particular owner.

If you don’t want to affect others’ views, create a filter view that can be saved for future use. This feature is perfect for personalised data management without disrupting others’ workflows.

Grouping Data

Grouping data by a specific column, such as task status, is another useful feature of Tables.

This allows for easy categorisation of tasks, which can then be saved as a custom view. Combining grouping and filtering makes data management even more efficient, enabling you to focus on specific subsets of data quickly.

Using Tables in Formulas

Tables make referencing data in formulas a breeze. You can refer to entire columns or tables using specific syntax, which automatically adjusts as you add or remove rows. For example, the SUM formula can easily calculate the total cost from a specific column, without the need for cell references.

This makes working with dynamic data effortless.

The table and column syntax is:

To refer to a table column: TABLE NAME [COLUMN NAME], e.g. TASKS[Costs]

To refer to a table including the headers: TABLE NAME[#All], e.g. TASKS[#All]

To refer to a table excluding the headers: TABLE NAME, e.g. TASKS

Conditional Notifications

With conditional notifications, you can automate alerts based on specific conditions in your table. For example, set up an email notification to be sent when a task’s status is updated to “Published.”

This is especially useful for keeping track of key milestones without needing to manually monitor every change.

The Tables feature in Google Sheets offers a robust set of tools for managing data efficiently. From sorting and filtering to custom notifications, Tables can help you work smarter and more effectively. While not suited for every scenario, it’s ideal for structured data where rows remain consistent. Start exploring these features today and transform the way you work with Google Sheets.

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