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UNIQUE function in Google Sheets - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

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Recall & Review
beginner
What does the UNIQUE function do in Google Sheets?
The UNIQUE function returns a list of unique values from a range or array, removing any duplicates.
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beginner
How do you write a UNIQUE function to get unique values from cells A1 to A10?
You write =UNIQUE(A1:A10). This will list all unique values found in that range.
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intermediate
Can UNIQUE function handle multiple columns? If yes, how?
Yes, UNIQUE can handle multiple columns. For example, =UNIQUE(A1:B10) returns unique rows considering both columns together.
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beginner
What happens if the UNIQUE function finds no duplicates in the range?
It returns the original list as is, because all values are already unique.
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intermediate
How does UNIQUE function treat blank cells in the range?
UNIQUE treats blank cells as a value and will return a single blank if blanks exist in the range.
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What formula would you use to get unique values from column C?
A=SORT(C:C)
B=UNIQUE(A1:B10)
C=FILTER(C:C, C:C>0)
D=UNIQUE(C:C)
If you want unique rows from columns A and B together, which formula is correct?
A=UNIQUE(B1:B10)
B=UNIQUE(A1:A10)
C=UNIQUE(A1:B10)
D=UNIQUE(A1:A10, B1:B10)
What will UNIQUE return if the range has no duplicates?
AThe original list unchanged
BAn error
CAn empty list
DOnly the first value
How does UNIQUE treat blank cells in the input range?
AReturns a single blank if blanks exist
BReturns multiple blanks for each blank cell
CIgnores all blank cells
DThrows an error
Which of these is NOT a use of UNIQUE function?
ARemove duplicate values
BSort values alphabetically
CList unique rows from multiple columns
DExtract unique entries from a list
Explain how the UNIQUE function works and give an example of its use.
Think about how you find unique names in a list.
You got /3 concepts.
    Describe how UNIQUE handles multiple columns and blank cells.
    Consider how rows are compared and how empty cells appear.
    You got /2 concepts.

      Practice

      (1/5)
      1. What does the UNIQUE function do in Google Sheets?
      easy
      A. It counts how many cells have numbers.
      B. It sums all numbers in a range.
      C. It returns a list of values without any duplicates.
      D. It sorts data alphabetically.

      Solution

      1. Step 1: Understand the purpose of UNIQUE

        The UNIQUE function removes duplicate entries from a list or range.

      2. Step 2: Compare with other options

        Other options describe different functions like SUM, SORT, and COUNT, not UNIQUE.

      3. Final Answer:

        It returns a list of values without any duplicates. -> Option C

      4. Quick Check:

        UNIQUE removes duplicates = It returns a list of values without any duplicates. [OK]
      Hint: UNIQUE means no repeats in your list [OK]
      Common Mistakes:
      • Confusing UNIQUE with SUM or COUNT functions
      • Thinking UNIQUE sorts data
      • Assuming UNIQUE counts items
      2. Which of these is the correct way to use the UNIQUE function on range A1:A10?
      easy
      A. =UNIQUE(A1:A10)
      B. =UNIQUE(A1-A10)
      C. =UNIQUE(A1;A10)
      D. =UNIQUE(A1,A10)

      Solution

      1. Step 1: Check the syntax of UNIQUE

        The UNIQUE function takes a range as a single argument, written as A1:A10.

      2. Step 2: Identify correct range notation

        Colon (:) is used to specify a range, so =UNIQUE(A1:A10) is correct. Other options use invalid separators or operators.

      3. Final Answer:

        =UNIQUE(A1:A10) -> Option A

      4. Quick Check:

        Range uses colon : = =UNIQUE(A1:A10) [OK]
      Hint: Use colon : to select ranges in formulas [OK]
      Common Mistakes:
      • Using comma or semicolon instead of colon for ranges
      • Using minus sign instead of colon
      • Putting multiple arguments separated by commas
      3. Given this data in column A:
      A1: Apple
      A2: Banana
      A3: Apple
      A4: Orange
      A5: Banana
      What will =UNIQUE(A1:A5) return?
      medium
      A. Apple, Banana, Apple, Orange, Banana
      B. Apple, Banana, Orange
      C. Banana, Orange
      D. Apple, Orange

      Solution

      1. Step 1: List all unique values from A1:A5

        The values are Apple, Banana, Apple, Orange, Banana. Unique values are Apple, Banana, Orange.

      2. Step 2: Understand UNIQUE output

        UNIQUE removes duplicates and returns only the first occurrence of each unique item.

      3. Final Answer:

        Apple, Banana, Orange -> Option B

      4. Quick Check:

        UNIQUE removes repeats = Apple, Banana, Orange [OK]
      Hint: UNIQUE keeps first of each item only [OK]
      Common Mistakes:
      • Listing all items without removing duplicates
      • Missing some unique items
      • Assuming UNIQUE sorts the list
      4. You wrote =UNIQUE(A1;A10) but got an error. What is the fix?
      medium
      A. Remove the equals sign: UNIQUE(A1;A10)
      B. Add a second argument: =UNIQUE(A1:A10, TRUE)
      C. Use commas instead: =UNIQUE(A1,A10)
      D. Change semicolon to colon: =UNIQUE(A1:A10)

      Solution

      1. Step 1: Identify the error cause

        Using semicolon between A1 and A10 is invalid syntax for range selection in Google Sheets.

      2. Step 2: Correct the range syntax

        Replace semicolon with colon to specify the range correctly: A1:A10.

      3. Final Answer:

        Change semicolon to colon: =UNIQUE(A1:A10) -> Option D

      4. Quick Check:

        Range uses colon : not semicolon ; [OK]
      Hint: Ranges use colon :, not semicolon ; [OK]
      Common Mistakes:
      • Using semicolon instead of colon for ranges
      • Adding unnecessary arguments
      • Removing equals sign from formula
      5. You have this data in columns A and B:
      A1: John, B1: Apple
      A2: Mary, B2: Banana
      A3: John, B3: Apple
      A4: John, B4: Orange
      A5: Mary, B5: Banana
      What will =UNIQUE(A1:B5) return?
      hard
      A. John, Apple
      Mary, Banana
      John, Orange
      B. John, Apple
      Mary, Banana
      C. John, Apple
      Mary, Banana
      John, Apple
      John, Orange
      Mary, Banana
      D. Apple, Banana, Orange

      Solution

      1. Step 1: Understand UNIQUE on multiple columns

        UNIQUE treats each row as a whole. It removes duplicate rows based on all columns.

      2. Step 2: Identify unique rows in A1:B5

        Rows are:
        1) John, Apple
        2) Mary, Banana
        3) John, Apple (duplicate of row 1)
        4) John, Orange
        5) Mary, Banana (duplicate of row 2)
        Unique rows are 1, 2, and 4.

      3. Final Answer:

        John, Apple
        Mary, Banana
        John, Orange         -> Option A

      4. Quick Check:

        UNIQUE removes duplicate rows = John, Apple
        Mary, Banana
        John, Orange [OK]
      Hint: UNIQUE on multiple columns removes duplicate rows [OK]
      Common Mistakes:
      • Assuming UNIQUE works column-wise separately
      • Listing duplicates again
      • Only listing unique values from one column
      Recommended

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