7 Tips For Using Google Sheets If Contains Function Effectively

Google Sheets is an incredibly powerful tool for data analysis and management, and one of the most useful features it offers is the CONTAINS function. This function allows you to search for specific text within a string, making it easier to filter and analyze your data. In this post, we’ll dive deep into tips, tricks, and advanced techniques for using the CONTAINS function effectively. We’ll also touch on common mistakes, troubleshooting methods, and some frequently asked questions to help you navigate Google Sheets like a pro!

Understanding the CONTAINS Function

The CONTAINS function in Google Sheets is used to determine if a specified substring exists within a larger string. This is particularly useful for filtering data, conducting searches, and analyzing text data efficiently. The syntax for using this function is relatively simple:

=SEARCH("text", A1)

Where "text" is the substring you are looking for, and A1 is the cell you want to search within. If the text is found, it returns the position of the substring; otherwise, it returns an error.

1. Using Wildcards

One of the most powerful techniques is using wildcards with the CONTAINS function. Wildcards allow you to search for patterns rather than specific strings. Here are some common wildcard characters:

• ? - Represents a single character.
• * - Represents any number of characters (including none).

For example, if you want to find all names starting with "J," you can use:

=SEARCH("J*", A1)

2. Combining CONTAINS with Other Functions

A common mistake users make is treating the CONTAINS function as a standalone operation. Instead, you can combine it with other functions like IF, FILTER, or ARRAYFORMULA to create more complex queries. For instance:

=IF(ISNUMBER(SEARCH("text", A1)), "Found", "Not Found")

This will return "Found" if the text exists in cell A1 and "Not Found" if it does not.

3. Case Sensitivity Matters

Another essential point to remember is that the CONTAINS function is case insensitive. This means that "TEXT" and "text" will yield the same result. If you need case-sensitive searches, consider using the FIND function instead, which is case-sensitive:

=FIND("text", A1)

4. Handling Errors Gracefully

When the text you are searching for is not found, the function will return an error. To make your spreadsheet cleaner, you can handle errors with the IFERROR function:

=IFERROR(SEARCH("text", A1), "Not Found")

This will return "Not Found" instead of showing an error.

5. Filtering Data

If you're dealing with a large dataset and need to filter results based on the CONTAINS function, you can use FILTER together with SEARCH. For example, to filter rows that contain "apple," you could use:

=FILTER(A:A, ISNUMBER(SEARCH("apple", A:A)))

This will return all the rows in column A that contain the word "apple."

6. Use Conditional Formatting

Another advanced technique is to use the CONTAINS function in combination with conditional formatting. This allows you to highlight cells based on whether they contain specific text.

1. Highlight the range you want to format.
2. Go to Format > Conditional formatting.
3. Set the format rule to Custom formula is and enter:

=ISNUMBER(SEARCH("text", A1))

4. Choose your formatting style and click "Done."

This will visually highlight all cells that contain the specified text.

7. Practice with Real Data

One of the best ways to become proficient with the CONTAINS function is to practice with real data. Set up a sample dataset, perhaps a list of customers or products, and experiment with different functions and combinations. Analyze how you can extract meaningful information from the data using the techniques we discussed.

<p class="pro-note">🔍Pro Tip: Always back up your Google Sheets before experimenting with new functions!</p>

<div class="faq-section"> <div class="faq-container"> <h2>Frequently Asked Questions</h2> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>Can I use the CONTAINS function with numbers?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>Yes, the CONTAINS function can search for numbers within text strings. Just treat the numbers as text.</p> </div> </div> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>What happens if the text I'm searching for has special characters?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>Special characters can be included in the search string, but they may affect your search results if not handled properly. Ensure they are entered correctly.</p> </div> </div> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>Is there a limit to how many CONTAINS functions I can use in a single sheet?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>There is no specific limit to how many CONTAINS functions you can use, but performance may be affected if there are too many calculations.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div>

In conclusion, mastering the CONTAINS function in Google Sheets opens up a world of possibilities for data analysis and manipulation. By using wildcards, combining it with other functions, handling errors gracefully, and practicing on real datasets, you can enhance your spreadsheet skills significantly. Don’t shy away from experimenting with conditional formatting and filtering techniques to make your data visually appealing and easy to analyze.

Explore further and make the most of your Google Sheets experience by diving into other tutorials available on this blog!

<p class="pro-note">💡Pro Tip: Consistently practice with various data scenarios to strengthen your understanding and efficiency with Google Sheets!</p>