The SEQUENCE function in Google Sheets is a powerful tool that generates a series of numbers in a specified sequence. This function allows users to create a range of numbers dynamically, making it useful for organizing data, creating lists, or performing calculations without manual input.

Syntax

SEQUENCE(row, column, start, step)

• row: The number of rows to fill with sequential numbers.
• column: The number of columns to fill with sequential numbers.
• start: The first number in the sequence (default is 1).
• step: The increment between each number in the sequence (default is 1).

Example #1

=SEQUENCE(5)

This function will generate a vertical array of five numbers starting from 1, resulting in: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

Example #2

=SEQUENCE(3, 2)

This will create a 3-row by 2-column array of sequential numbers starting from 1, producing: 1 2 \n3 4 \n5 6.

Example #3

=SEQUENCE(4, 1, 10, 2)

In this case, the function generates a single column of four numbers, beginning at 10 and increasing by 2: 10, 12, 14, 16.

Error handling

• VALUE! This error occurs if the function parameters are not numbers (e.g., non-numeric values in “row” or “column”).
• REF! This happens when the resulting array exceeds the spreadsheet limits, such as trying to fill a range that is too large.
• NUM! This error indicates that a negative or zero value was supplied for row or column number, which is not allowed.

Conclusion

The SEQUENCE function is a versatile and efficient way to generate and manipulate series of numbers in Google Sheets. By understanding its syntax and capabilities, users can streamline their data operations, enhancing productivity and accuracy in their spreadsheets.