How to find and select cells with formulas in Google Sheets
Why you need this tool
Working with large datasets in Google Sheets can get messy, especially when you need to focus on specific data. This tool lets you quickly go to special cells with formulas based on their result types. It will select them all so you could analyze, modify, or clean up your spreadsheet easily.
What are cells with formulas?
Cells with formulas contain expressions (formulas) rather than static data. These formulas are used to calculate, retrieve, or manipulate data in sheets. In Google Sheets, formulas always start with an equal sign (=), followed by the formula itself, for example:
=A1+B1, which adds the values in cells A1 and B1.=SUM(A1:A10), which sums all values from A1 to A10.=IF(A1>100, "Yes", "No"), that returns Yes if the value in A1 is greater than 100, otherwise No.
This is different from Entered values which is all about manually typed or imported data without formulas.
How to go to special cells with formulas
1. Select the range
Select the range(s) of cells where you want to find and select formulas.
2. Pick the type of data to select
Choose what kind of results you’re looking for from the following options:
- Numbers: Select cells where formulas return numeric results, like integers or decimals.
- Boolean: Select cells where formulas return TRUE, FALSE, or checkbox values.
- Dates: Select cells where formulas return date values.
- Text: Find cells where formulas result in text strings.
- Errors: Go to special cells where formulas result in error messages like
#DIV/0!or#REF!.
3. Go to special cells
When you’re ready, click Select. The add-on will process your selection and highlight only the matching cells.