About the QUERY Function
Overview of QUERY
| Filter and Manipulate Data Using SQL-like QueriesGoogle Sheets Function | ||
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=QUERY( data_range, query, [header_rows] ) Summary The QUERY function is a powerful tool for filtering, aggregating, and sorting data within a spreadsheet using SQL-like syntax. |
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When to Use QUERY
- To extract data based on specific conditions.
- When sorting or aggregating data is required.
- For efficient data manipulation using SQL-like syntax.
How to Use QUERY
The following table demonstrates the basic usage of the QUERY function.
| A | B | C | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Name | Age | Score | |
| 2 | John | 20 | 85 | |
| 3 | Jack | 22 | 90 | |
| 4 | Smith | 19 | 78 |
The examples below show how to use QUERY:
| Description | Formula | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Extract rows with scores of 80 or higher | =QUERY(A1:C4, “SELECT A, C WHERE C >= 80”, 1) | Displays data for John and Jack |
| Sort by age in descending order | =QUERY(A1:C4, “SELECT A, B ORDER BY B DESC”, 1) | Order: Jack, John, Smith |
| Calculate the average score | =QUERY(A1:C4, “SELECT AVG(C)”, 1) | Average score: 89 |
Results
- Query syntax allows easy manipulation of data.
- Data can be filtered and sorted based on specific conditions.
List of Queries Used in the QUERY Function

Advanced Examples of QUERY
The QUERY function enables complex data processing with ease. Below are advanced use cases:
| A | B | C | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Name | Age | Score | Region |
| 2 | John | 20 | 85 | New York |
| 3 | Jack | 22 | 90 | Los Angels |
| 4 | Smith | 19 | 78 | Chicago |
| Description | Formula | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Extract top scorers from a specific region | =QUERY(A1:D4, “SELECT A, C WHERE D = ‘New York’ AND C >= 80”, 1) | Displays John only |
| Calculate average scores by region | =QUERY(A1:D4, “SELECT D, AVG(C) GROUP BY D”, 1) | Displays the average scores for each region |
Points to Note
- The data range must include a header row.
- Query strings should be enclosed in single quotes.
- Errors may occur if data types are inconsistent.
Conclusion
- The QUERY function is a powerful tool for efficient filtering, aggregation, and sorting of data.
- SQL-like syntax provides flexibility in data manipulation.
- By paying attention to header rows and data formatting, complex data operations can be simplified.