Bird
Raised Fist0
Google Sheetsspreadsheet~5 mins

UNIQUE function in Google Sheets - Step-by-Step Guide

Choose your learning style10 modes available
LearnWhyDeepSheetTryChallengeScenarioRecallDash
Introduction
The UNIQUE function helps you find all the different values in a list or column. It removes any repeated items so you see each value only once. This is useful when you want to quickly see all unique entries without sorting or filtering manually.
When you have a list of names and want to see each name only once.
When you track sales and want to list all different products sold.
When you collect survey answers and want to find all unique responses.
When you want to create a dropdown menu with only unique options.
When you want to count how many different items appear in a column.
Steps
Step 1: Click
- a blank cell where you want the unique list to start
The cell is selected and ready for input
Step 2: Type
- the selected cell
The formula is entered in the cell
💡 Start typing =UNIQUE( to see the function suggestion
Step 3: Select
- the range of cells containing your list (for example, A2:A20)
The range appears inside the parentheses of the formula
Step 4: Type
- the formula bar
The formula looks like =UNIQUE(A2:A20)
Step 5: Press
- Enter key
The cell and cells below fill with the unique values from the selected range
Before vs After
Before
Column A has names: Anna, Bob, Anna, Carla, Bob, Dave
After
The UNIQUE formula outputs: Anna, Bob, Carla, Dave in separate cells
Settings Reference
Range
📍 Inside the UNIQUE function parentheses
Defines which cells to check for unique values
Default: No default, you must specify the range
By column (optional)
📍 Second argument in UNIQUE function, e.g., UNIQUE(range, TRUE)
Choose whether to find unique rows or unique columns
Default: FALSE
Common Mistakes
Not selecting the correct range inside UNIQUE
The formula will miss some values or include empty cells
Carefully select only the cells with your data, avoiding empty rows
Typing UNIQUE without the equal sign (=)
The formula will not work and will show as plain text
Always start formulas with =, for example =UNIQUE(A2:A20)
Expecting UNIQUE to sort the results
UNIQUE only removes duplicates but keeps the original order
Use SORT(UNIQUE(range)) if you want the unique values sorted
Summary
UNIQUE extracts only different values from a list or range.
It helps remove duplicates quickly without manual filtering.
Remember to specify the correct range and start the formula with =.

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

Ready to prove it?

Pass the test and this pattern moves unknown strong while earning +1 Grip toward your certificate.

10 questions~5 mineasy hard