VLookUp is a formula that allows you to look up data in a range based on a specific lookup value. This is your secret weapon for because it saves you time! This formula takes a little bit of time to figure out but once you do it unlocks a ton of options and can solve the issue with multiple spreadsheets with different information.

Steps:

1. Click on the cell where you want to insert the data.
2. Start writing the formula =Vlookup(
3. Click on the value you want to search for. This should be a unique value like a student ID number.
4. Select the range where the info you are looking for can be found.
5. Type the number for what column the data can be found in.
6. Type ,false to only bring back exact values.
7. Type ) to finish the formula.

If you need to quickly fill in the values for a column simply double click on the blue square in the bottom right hand corner of a cell. This will autofill down to the last row that has data.

If you only want to autofill a certain range you can drag the blue square to the range you want to autofill.

After writing the perfect formula you can quickly apply it to the cells below by double clicking on the blue square next to the cell.

If you only want to apply the formula to a certain range of cells you can also drag the square to the range you want to fill.

Google tries to help you out when you autofill formulas by change some of the values to match what it thinks you are trying to do. The problem is they are not always correct. Sometimes there are certain values that you do not want to modify. To lock these values in place simply place a $ in front of them. You can lock the column by placing a $ in front of the letter and the row by placing a $ in front of the number.

In the example to the right I did not want the formula using any other cell than A1. To lock this in place I wrote the formula as $A$1.

In Google Sheets when you copy a cell that uses a formula you are not copying the value you see in the sheet. In the gif on the right if you copy cell E19 you are not copying the number in the cell. You are copying the average formula. You can copy the value of a cell by using Paste Special. This is a helpful tool for using formulas to manipulate data and then converting them to values only.

Steps:

1. Copy the cell you want to copy.
2. Click on Edit and then go down to Paste Special.
3. Click on Paste Values only.
4. You can also do this by adding the shift key to the normal paste keyboard shortcut.