Hello, in this tutorial we will learn how to use the FLATTEN function in Google Sheets. Even though Google Sheets’ Flatten feature is a little widespread, it’s still a really helpful feature. The data is flattened into a single column using Google Sheets’ flatten function. You don’t have to manually enter the data again if you have a data set with several columns and rows and you wish to condense it into a single column. Thankfully, Google Sheets has an integrated feature that allows you to combine all of your data into a single column. In this Google Sheets flatten function tutorial,
Advantages of the FLATTEN Function in Google Sheets
One of Google Sheets’ most useful features is the Flatten function, which allows you to combine data from numerous columns into a single column. When you need to consolidate any data into a single column, the flatten function can also be quite helpful. With Google Sheets, you can now use the flatten function to organize many columns into a single column independently. The part that follows, allows me to demonstrate almost every one of these activities using the flatten function.
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The FLATTEN Function in Google Sheets – Step-by-step Procedure
Because there is just one argument in the syntax of Google Sheets’ Flatten function, using it is incredibly simple and elegant. We will walk over the many applications of the flatten function in Google Sheets in this tutorial so that you can comprehend its internal workings. So, without any more delay, let’s get started.
Example # 1: Using the Flatten function simply
In order to flatten data into a single column, we will use Google Sheets’ flatten function on a straightforward data range in this example.
Step 1>
Assume for the moment that you wish to move in a single column from several ranges of data in Sheets, or similar data with separate rows and columns, as shown in the below image. Let’s explore how to use Google Sheets’ flatten function to flatten data.
Step 2>
To get started with Google Sheets’ flatten feature, first choose the column or cell where your data is to be flattened, position the cursor there, and then type the word “flatten” followed by an equal sign.
Step 3>
The range parameter is the only argument available to the Google Sheets flatten function once it has been started. As shown in the screenshot below, enter the data range that you wish to flatten.
Step 4>
There is nothing further to do; after entering the data range into the syntax, simply press the Enter key. As you can see in the sample below, all of your data will be arranged into a single column.
Example # 2: Labels using the Flatten Function
Using Google Sheets’ flatten feature, you can also create a pattern of labels if your basic personal data—such as names, addresses, phone numbers, and emails—is spread across several columns. I’m going to show it to you in the following guide.
Step 1>
In this case, the first column contains names, the second has addresses, and the final column contains phone numbers. Let’s now examine how to use Google Sheets’ flatten function to arrange them all into a single column so that label data can be added to sheets.
Step 2>
To get started, just follow the instructions below to activate Google Sheets’ flatten feature in the cell where you wish to flatten your data range.
Step 3>
Once the flatten function has been inserted into the cell, enter the desired flattening data range, as shown in the example below.
Step 4>
The flatten function takes a single input, which is the data range. To flatten all of your data in the manner described below, simply press the Enter key after providing the data range.
This information can be used to create an envelope label or any other kind of template.
Example # 3: Flatten function for multiple ranges
Google Sheets’ Flatten function flattens data horizontally across all ranges; however, if you need to flatten each of your columns separately in a vertical division, you will need to adhere to the guidelines that are outlined below.
Step 1>
We wish to flatten each of the three distinct columns in the sample data below. Let’s see if we can do it using Google Sheets’ flatten function.
Step 2>
As mentioned above, simply type Flatten with an equal sign to start using the flatten function in the Google Sheets cell where you wish to flatten your data.
Step 3>
Once the flatten function has been started, enter the range of the first column only, exactly as I have indicated in the image below, and then a comma.
Step 4>
Similarly, after stating the first column’s range, state the second and third columns’ respective ranges. As seen below, a comma is used to divide these ranges.
Step 5>
Simply close the bracket after entering each range and hit Enter to see the result, as seen in the example below. As you can see, the data has been flattened and is organized into first, second, and third columns based on necessity.
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FLATTEN Function in Google Sheets – FAQs
How to flatten data in an array in Google Sheets?
Assuming you wish to flatten irregular data that is spread across several columns and rows, you will likewise have irregular results while flattening the data. In this case, how can I use Google Sheets to flatten data into an array? Let me explain practically using an example and the assistance of following directions.
Step 1>
You can see that there are some empty cells and a variety of values in various ranges in the example data that follows. When we flatten this data in Google Sheets, let’s see what we get.
Step 2>
To flatten the provided data, we will first initiate the flatten function in the cell containing the desired data. Subsequently, we will supply the entire range containing the values indicated in the figure that follows.
Step 3>
You will now notice that your data has been flattened but also includes the empty cells that were in the dataset when you hit the Enter key after entering the range. Let’s now examine how to convert this kind of erratic data into an array.
Step 4>
Move the pointer over the formula cell to enable editing. Add little brackets at the beginning and end of the syntax, and add the “UNIQUE” function after the equal sign.
Step 5>
At this point, all of your data will be flattened into an array as shown in the following image if you hit the Enter key.
You can use Google Sheets to flatten any irregular data into an array in a straightforward manner.
Can we unpivot the flattened data in Google Sheets?
Certainly! To eliminate the flattened data, just delete the flattened syntax from the cell; all of the data will disappear. However, if you wish to unpivote the flattened data into Google Sheets, you need to use the following formula.
=ArrayFormula(SPLIT(FLATTEN(first_column_range&”❄️”&first_row_range&”❄️”&data_range),”❄️”))
Conclusion
Many users were unaware of the flatten feature in Google Sheets, hopefully, this tutorial has helped you all learn about it and be able to use it for your spreadsheet assignments. Thanks for Reading.