The UNIQUE function in Google Sheets is a powerful tool designed to streamline data analysis by identifying and returning unique rows from a given dataset. This function is particularly helpful when working with large sets of data where duplicates may obscure insights. By utilizing UNIQUE, users can effortlessly filter out repetitive entries and focus on original values, enhancing data clarity and precision.

Syntax

UNIQUE(range)

• range: This is the range of cells from which to extract unique values. It can include rows or columns.

Example #1

UNIQUE(A1:A10)

This function retrieves all unique values from cells A1 through A10. For instance, if the range contains the values {1, 2, 2, 3, 4, 4}, the output will be {1, 2, 3, 4}.

Example #2

UNIQUE(B1:C5)

This function returns distinct rows from the range B1 to C5. Assuming the range includes repeated rows like {A, 1; B, 2; A, 1}, the result will be {A, 1; B, 2}.

Example #3

UNIQUE(D1:D20)

Here, the function extracts unique entries from D1 to D20. If this range contains the names {John, Mary, John, and Alice}, it will return {John, Mary, Alice}.

Error handling

• REF! This error occurs if the specified range is invalid or inaccessible.
• VALUE! This error indicates that the input type is incorrect, typically if the input is not a valid range.
• N/A This shows that there are no unique values to return, usually because the range is empty.

Conclusion

The UNIQUE function in Google Sheets serves as an essential tool for data organization and analysis, allowing users to quickly filter and display distinct rows from their datasets. By understanding its syntax and potential error messages, users can effectively implement this function to enhance their data handling capabilities and ensure a clearer presentation of information.