Google Sheets Data Sorting and Filtering Flashcards

Which function removes duplicate rows from a range, returning only distinct entries?

Answer: UNIQUE

UNIQUE returns the distinct rows of a range, discarding repeated ones.

What does SORTN(A2:B20, 3, 0, 2, FALSE) return?

Answer: The top 3 rows sorted descending by column 2

SORTN returns n rows; here 3 rows sorted by column 2 with FALSE meaning descending order.

To sort by more than one column (e.g., Department then Salary), which SORT syntax is correct?

Answer: SORT(range, 1, TRUE, 2, FALSE)

SORT accepts repeated column/direction pairs, so column 1 ascending then column 2 descending is valid.

Which combination lets you filter data and then sort the filtered result in one formula?

Answer: Wrap FILTER inside SORT, e.g. SORT(FILTER(...))

Nesting FILTER inside SORT sorts the already-filtered rows, chaining both operations.

When FILTER finds no rows matching the condition, what does it return by default?

Answer: An #N/A error

FILTER returns #N/A when nothing matches, unless a third argument provides a fallback value.

What does the SORT function do to the original source data?

Answer: Nothing — it outputs a sorted copy elsewhere

SORT is a non-destructive formula that produces a sorted array without changing the source range.

Which approach best filters a dataset that other collaborators are actively editing, without disrupting their view?

Answer: A FILTER formula on a separate sheet or a filter view

A FILTER formula output or a private filter view isolates your results without altering everyone's shared view.