Blog

Formula Challenge #6: Split A String Into Characters And Recombine In Random Order

This Formula Challenge originally appeared as Tip #194 of my weekly Google Sheets Tips newsletter, on 7 March 2022.

Congratulations to everyone who took part and well done to the 97 people who submitted a solution!

Special mention to Kieran D., Louise A., Martin H., Jelle G., Karl S., Earl N., Doug S., JP C., Alan B., and others for their ingenious solutions. I’ve shared the best below.

Sign up here so you don’t miss out on future Formula Challenges:

 

Find all the Formula Challenges archived here.

The Challenge Part I: Split A String Into Characters

Question: can you create a single formula to split a string into characters so that each character is in its own cell?

i.e. can you create a single formula in cell B1 that creates the output shown in this example:

Formula Challenge Split String Into Characters

Continue reading Formula Challenge #6: Split A String Into Characters And Recombine In Random Order

How To Use The RANDARRAY Function In Google Sheets

The RANDARRAY function in Google Sheets generates an array of random numbers between 0 and 1. The size of the array output is determined by the row and column arguments.

Here’s a RANDARRAY formula that generates an array of random numbers between 0 and 1, across 10 rows and 3 columns:

=RANDARRAY(10, 3)

which gives an output:

RANDARRAY Function Example

🔗 The RANDARRAY template is available at the bottom of this article.

Continue reading How To Use The RANDARRAY Function In Google Sheets

Google Sheets SUMIFS Function

The Google Sheets SUMIFS function is used to sum ranges based on conditional tests. In other words, the SUMIFS in Google Sheets adds values to a total only when multiple conditions are met.

Suppose we want to calculate the total for Large products in New York:

Simple SUMIFS Google Sheets function

The SUMIFS function to calculate the total for two conditions, Large and New York, is:

=SUMIFS(D2:D11,B2:B11,"New York",C2:C11,"Large")

which gives an answer of $3,020.

In this case, there are four rows, highlighted in yellow, that match the criteria of New York in column B and Large in column C.

The total values of these four rows are added together by the SUMIFS function, all the other rows are discarded.

🔗 Get this example and others in the template at the bottom of this article.

Continue reading Google Sheets SUMIFS Function

How To Build An Automated ConvertKit Report In Google Sheets Using Apps Script

In this post, you’ll learn how to build an automated ConvertKit Report tool in Google Sheets.

Every morning I have this report waiting for me in my inbox:

Automated Daily Dashboard Email

Opening the PDF attachment shows me the key growth metrics for my email list:

ConvertKit Email List Analysis Report

There’s also a link in the email to go direct to the Google Sheet, in case I want to ever make changes.

In this post you’ll see how to:

  • Set up this template for yourself
  • Connect to the ConvertKit API with Apps Script
  • Retrieve list data into your Sheet
  • Make projections about list growth
  • Create a report that is emailed to you daily

Continue reading How To Build An Automated ConvertKit Report In Google Sheets Using Apps Script

How To Use Google Sheets SUMIF Function

The SUMIF function in Google Sheets is used to sum across a range of cells based on a conditional test. The SUMIF function only adds values to the total when the condition is met.

Let’s see an example. Suppose we want to calculate the total order value for John only:

Google Sheets SUMIF Function

The SUMIF formula that calculates the total order value for John is:

=SUMIF(A2:A11,"John",C2:C11)

which gives an answer of $2,059.

The formula tests column A for the value “John”, and, if it matches John, adds the value from column C to the total. I’ve highlighted the four rows in yellow that are included.

🔗 Get this example and others in the template at the bottom of this article.

Continue reading How To Use Google Sheets SUMIF Function