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Friday, March 4, 2011

Google spreadsheets auto fill & lookup

Google docs has a couple hidden features that are really cool.

Auto fill

Google spreadsheets can predict patterns and complete them for you.
For example; if I type into one column the following words:
1.Type words 2. Select cells 3. Hold alt key & drag handle down to auto complete the pattern.


Google Lookup:

Google can lookup information on the web and bring into your spreadsheet.
In the example below I used the auto fill to enter my states into the column A. Then I entered the following formulas: =GoogleLookup("entity", "attribute")


Repeat steps for autofill (ctrl + click & drag)


The end result is a spreadsheet full of data that would've taken me an hour or so to lookup and transfer into my spreadsheet.

Give it a try and pass on any other tricks that you find in Google docs.

1 comment:

  1. I know this is an old(ish) post but the GoogleLookup function has been removed :(

    ReplyDelete