When working with Google Sheets, formulas are an essential tool for performing calculations, manipulating data, and creating dynamic reports. However, there may be instances where you want to remove a formula and keep the resulting value in the cell. This could be because you want to freeze the calculation, prevent changes to the formula, or simply to declutter your spreadsheet. Whatever the reason, removing formulas and keeping values is a crucial skill to master in Google Sheets.
Overview
In this guide, we will explore the different methods to remove formulas in Google Sheets and keep the resulting values. We will cover both manual and automated approaches, including using the “Copy and Paste Values” technique, converting formulas to values using keyboard shortcuts, and utilizing Google Sheets’ built-in functions to achieve this task. By the end of this tutorial, you will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to efficiently remove formulas and keep values in your Google Sheets, making your workflow more efficient and effective.
What You Will Learn
In this tutorial, you will learn how to:
- Manually remove formulas and keep values using the “Copy and Paste Values” method
- Use keyboard shortcuts to convert formulas to values
- Utilize Google Sheets’ built-in functions to remove formulas and keep values
Let’s get started and explore the different methods to remove formulas and keep values in Google Sheets!
How to Remove Formula in Google Sheets and Keep Values
When working with Google Sheets, you may find yourself in a situation where you want to remove a formula but keep the calculated value. This can be useful when you want to freeze the current state of your data or when you need to share your sheet with others without revealing the formulas. In this article, we will explore the different methods to remove formulas in Google Sheets and keep the values.
Method 1: Copy and Paste Values
This is the simplest method to remove formulas and keep values. You can copy the cells containing the formulas and then paste the values back into the same cells. Here’s how to do it:
- Select the cells containing the formulas you want to remove.
- Right-click on the selected cells and choose “Copy” or press Ctrl+C (Windows) or Command+C (Mac).
- Right-click on the same cells and choose “Paste values only” or press Ctrl+Shift+V (Windows) or Command+Shift+V (Mac).
This method will remove the formulas and keep the calculated values in the cells. (See Also: How To Use Google Sheets Charts)
Method 2: Using the “Paste Values” Option
This method is similar to the previous one, but it uses the “Paste values” option in the Edit menu. Here’s how to do it:
- Select the cells containing the formulas you want to remove.
- Go to the Edit menu and choose “Copy” or press Ctrl+C (Windows) or Command+C (Mac).
- Go to the Edit menu and choose “Paste special” > “Paste values” or press Ctrl+Shift+V (Windows) or Command+Shift+V (Mac).
This method will also remove the formulas and keep the calculated values in the cells.
Method 3: Using the “Value” Function
This method uses the “Value” function to convert the formulas to values. Here’s how to do it:
- Select the cells containing the formulas you want to remove.
- Type “=Value(” before the formula and “)” at the end of the formula.
- Press Enter to apply the changes.
For example, if you have a formula =A1*B1, you would type =Value(A1*B1). This will convert the formula to a value and remove the formula.
Method 4: Using a Script
This method uses a script to remove formulas and keep values. Here’s how to do it:
Open your Google Sheet and follow these steps: (See Also: How To Create A Title Row In Google Sheets)
- Go to the Tools menu and choose “Script editor”.
- In the script editor, delete any existing code and paste the following script:
| function removeFormulas() { |
| var sheet = SpreadsheetApp.getActiveSheet(); |
| var range = sheet.getDataRange(); |
| var values = range.getValues(); |
| range.setValues(values); |
| } |
- Save the script by clicking on the floppy disk icon or pressing Ctrl+S (Windows) or Command+S (Mac).
- Go back to your Google Sheet and click on the “Run” button (looks like a play button) or press Ctrl+Enter (Windows) or Command+Enter (Mac) to run the script.
This script will remove all formulas in the active sheet and keep the calculated values.
Recap
In this article, we explored four methods to remove formulas in Google Sheets and keep the values. These methods include copying and pasting values, using the “Paste values” option, using the “Value” function, and using a script. By using one of these methods, you can easily remove formulas and keep the calculated values in your Google Sheet.
Remember to always make a copy of your original sheet before making any changes, especially when using scripts.
We hope this article has been helpful in teaching you how to remove formulas and keep values in Google Sheets. If you have any further questions or need more assistance, feel free to ask!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I remove a formula in Google Sheets and keep the calculated value?
To remove a formula in Google Sheets and keep the calculated value, you can copy the cell containing the formula, then right-click on the cell and select “Paste values only” or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+V (Windows) or Command+Shift+V (Mac). This will paste the calculated value into the cell, replacing the formula.
What is the difference between “Paste values only” and “Copy and paste” in Google Sheets?
When you copy and paste a cell containing a formula in Google Sheets, the formula is copied along with its formatting and dependencies. However, when you use “Paste values only”, only the calculated value is pasted, without the formula or formatting. This is useful when you want to freeze the current value of a formula and prevent it from changing if the underlying data changes.
Can I remove formulas from multiple cells at once in Google Sheets?
Yes, you can remove formulas from multiple cells at once in Google Sheets. Select the range of cells containing the formulas you want to remove, then go to the “Edit” menu and select “Copy” (or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+C). Then, right-click on the selected range and select “Paste values only” or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+V (Windows) or Command+Shift+V (Mac). This will remove the formulas from all the selected cells and replace them with their calculated values.
Will removing formulas in Google Sheets affect the formatting of the cells?
No, removing formulas in Google Sheets using the “Paste values only” method will not affect the formatting of the cells. The formatting, such as font, color, and alignment, will be preserved. Only the formula will be removed, and the calculated value will be pasted into the cell.
Is there a keyboard shortcut to remove formulas in Google Sheets?
Yes, you can use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+V (Windows) or Command+Shift+V (Mac) to remove formulas in Google Sheets and keep the calculated values. Simply select the cell or range of cells containing the formulas, then press the shortcut keys to paste the values only.