4/25/2025

how to get values in google sheets

IN SUMMARY

Google Sheets provides several methods to retrieve values from cells or ranges. You can use built-in functions like getValue() or getValues(), or leverage Google Apps Script to access and manipulate data programmatically.

Using Built-in Functions

This function retrieves the value of a single cell. For example, =getValue('Sheet1!A1') will return the value in cell A1 of Sheet1. It's useful for simple data retrieval tasks.

This function returns an array of values from a specified range. For instance, =getValues('Sheet1!A1:B5') will return a 2D array containing the values from cells A1 to B5 in Sheet1. It's helpful when working with larger data sets.

Similar to getValues(), but this function returns the displayed values in the cells, including any formatting or formulas. It's useful when you need to retrieve the visible values as seen in the sheet.

Using Google Apps Script

To get the value of a single cell using Apps Script, you can use the getRange() method followed by getValue(). For example: let value = SpreadsheetApp.getActiveSheet().getRange('A1').getValue(); This will retrieve the value in cell A1 of the active sheet.

To get values from a range of cells, use the getValues() method. For instance: let values = SpreadsheetApp.getActiveSheet().getRange('A1:B5').getValues(); This will return a 2D array containing the values from cells A1 to B5 in the active sheet.

To retrieve all data from a sheet, you can use the getDataRange() method followed by getValues(). For example: let allData = SpreadsheetApp.getActiveSheet().getDataRange().getValues(); This will return a 2D array containing all non-empty values in the active sheet.

Using AI Functions with Mage

Mage (usemage.com) allows you to use AI functions like =AI() in Google Sheets to automate various tasks. For example, you can use =AI('Summarize', A1:A10) to generate a summary of the text in the specified range.

To retrieve the values generated by Mage AI functions, you can use the same methods as with regular cell values, such as getValue(), getValues(), or Apps Script. This allows you to integrate AI-powered data into your workflows.

Mage also provides an Apps Script API, enabling you to programmatically interact with AI functions and retrieve their outputs. This opens up possibilities for advanced automation and data processing tasks.

Want to automate your busy work in Google Sheets with AI?

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