How to apply a formula to an entire column in Google Sheets and Excel

While working with Google Sheets or Excel documents, you may need to use a similar formula in the entire column or row. Thankfully, Google sheets and Excel allow users to apply a formula to the entire column through a few workarounds. This article will discuss ways and methods of applying a formula to your Sheet’s column.

Applying formula in Google Sheets

Below are the steps to follow:

1. Visit the Google account and log in using your email detail (That is, https://www.google.com/account).

2. From the Google Apps, click on the Sheets icon and select the existing Sheet.

3. Enter the dataset on the empty cells, and click on the cell that will contain the formula

4. Type the equal sign (=) followed by the formula you want to apply in the selected column. For example, let us use the SUM function. Therefore, we will type this =SUM (.

5. Select the first cells and close the bracket. =SUM (A1, B1) and press the Enter Key.


6. Locate the Dragging tool on the cell’s bottom-right side. Drag it downwards to apply the formula to the entire column.

Applying formulas in Excel

Methods that one can use:

Using the Dragging Tool

Using the Fill Down tool

Using the Flash Fill tool

Each of the above is discussed below:

Using the Dragging Tool

Steps to follow while using this method:

1. Open the Excel application.

2. Enter the dataset on the cells and click on the cell that will contain the formula

3. Type the equal sign (=) followed by the formula you want to apply in the selected column. For example, let us use the SUM function. Therefore, we will type this =SUM (.

4. Select the first cells and close the bracket. =SUM (A1, B1) and press the Enter Key.


5. Locate the Dragging tool on the cell’s bottom-right side. Drag it downwards to apply the formula to the entire column.

Using the Fill Down tool

Steps to follow:

1. Open the Excel application.

2. Enter the dataset on the cells and click on the cell that will contain the formula

3. Type the equal sign (=) followed by the formula you want to apply in the selected column.

4. Click on the next cell where you wish to apply the same formula. Click on the Home tab on the menu.

5. In the Editing section, click on the Fill drop-down button.

6. From the menu, choose the Down button.

Using the Flash Fill tool

Steps to follow while using this method:

1. Open the Excel application.

2. Enter the dataset on the cells and click on the cell that will contain the formula

3. Type the equal sign (=) followed by the formula you want to apply in the selected column.

4. Then, highlight the cells to which you wish to apply the same formula. Click on the Home tab on the menu.

5. In the Editing section, click on the Fill drop-down button.

6. From the menu, choose the Flash fill option.

Leave a Comment