Get the right Excel or Google Sheets formula by describing what you want

What you'll need

• Your spreadsheet open
• The column letters and what's in each one

Step 1: Describe your sheet, not your formula

Most people ask "how do I use VLOOKUP?" Instead, describe the problem.

I'm in [Excel / Google Sheets]. My sheet looks like this:
Column A: order date
Column B: region (East, West, South)
Column C: sales amount
Rows 2 to 500 have data.

Here are 3 example rows:
[paste rows]

I want: [e.g. total sales for the West region in March, in cell F2].
Give me the formula, explain each part in plain English, and tell me any common mistakes to avoid.

Step 2: Test it on a known answer

Before trusting it, check the formula on a small case you can calculate by hand. If it's wrong, paste the result back:

That returned [result] but I expected [answer]. Here's what's in the cells: [details]. What's wrong?

Step 3: Make it reusable

Now make this formula work if I copy it down the column, and tell me which references should be locked with $.

Director check

• Did you test it on real numbers you already know? A formula that runs isn't the same as a formula that's right.
• Does it handle blanks and typos? Ask: "What happens if a cell is empty or has extra spaces?"
• Can you explain it? If your manager asks how you got the number, you should be able to answer without AI.