The HSTACK function in Google Sheets is a powerful tool designed for horizontally stacking various ranges or arrays. This function allows users to seamlessly combine data from different sources into a single cohesive output, enhancing both data organization and analysis capabilities.

Syntax

HSTACK(array1, [array2, ...])

• array1: The first range or array to be stacked horizontally.
• array2: Optional additional ranges or arrays to combine with array1.

Example #1

HSTACK(A1:A3, B1:B3)

This function call will combine the values from cells A1 to A3 with those from B1 to B3 side by side. For example, if A1 to A3 has values 1, 2, 3 and B1 to B3 has values 4, 5, 6, the result will be:

1 4
2 5
3 6

Example #2

HSTACK({"Name", "Age"}, {"Alice", 30}; {"Bob", 25})

This function aggregates two arrays: the first containing a header, and the second containing corresponding names and ages. The resulting array would appear as:

Name  Age
Alice 30
Bob   25

Example #3

HSTACK(A1:A2, {"Total"})

This call adds the label “Total” next to the stacked data from A1 to A2. If A1 and A2 contain 10 and 20 respectively, the outcome would be:

10 Total
20 Total

Error handling

• VALUE!: This error occurs if the ranges specified in the function do not have compatible dimensions. Ensure all ranges have the same number of rows.
• REF!: This error indicates that a reference is invalid, often due to deleted cells or improper ranges being specified.
• N/A: Results from trying to reference a range that does not contain any data. Check to ensure that the ranges specified contain valid entries.

Conclusion

The HSTACK function is an invaluable asset for Google Sheets users who need to organize data horizontally from multiple sources. Its straightforward syntax and flexible parameters make it easy to merge arrays, helping enhance data presentation and analysis. By understanding its proper use and potential error messages, users can effectively leverage HSTACK to optimize their spreadsheet operations.