How to Make a Table in Google Sheets?

Written by Andy Avery in Software

It’s much easier to make a working dynamic table on Google Sheets as opposed to Google Docs. Why? It’s in spreadsheet format. It already comes with its own columns and rows. You only need to add the header rows with per-column headers or categories and their respective data below.

Regardless, let’s talk data tables and how to make a table in google sheets.

Why Make a Table in Google Sheets?

One of the fundamental things you can do with Google Sheets is to create a table. Some data you can copy and paste directly to Notepad then onto your Google Sheets in short notice. Other data you have to manually put into your table one-by-one, category-by-category.

Making tables in Google Sheets versus making them in Google Docs is different because Sheets offers the ability to do basic things like add, subtract, multiply, and divide the data or, as indicated by this article, make easily readable tables that present the data at a glance.

How to Make a Table in Google Sheets

Step 1: Open a new spreadsheet on Google Sheets. Have your raw data prepared too.

Table Step 1 - Open new sheet

Step 2: Today we’ll be making a table covering the top 10 portable Bluetooth speakers of 2022 as provided by TechRadar.

Table Step 2 - Gather raw data

It specifically has enough information for us to work with as headers from the specs and the pros and cons.

Step 3: Sorting out the data and preparing it for the table. Copy and paste the info from the website to Notepad.

The thing about Notepad is that when you paste text there, it removes their formatting along with the pictures, so you’re only left with the text.

Table Step 3A - Sort out data on Notepad

You can use the info on the reviews of Bluetooth speakers when making your headers of your new table on your spreadsheet. I’ve formatted the sheet to have the words in Bold, center-aligned text with Text wrapping included.

Table Step 3B - Add header rows based on data and also format

Step 4: Freeze the first row for easier filtering and sorting of the data below later. You can do this by going to the “Data” menu, selecting “Freeze” and selecting “Up to Row 1” or “1 Row“.

Table Step 4 - Freeze Row 1 for easier sorting later

Step 5: Start adding the rest of the data from your source website or raw data dump on Notepad as sorted by the headers you’ve gathered.

Table Step 5 - Start entering the data and adding formatting to your table

You can also further format the table like I did by picking the cell color to make the frozen header pop out more. I picked Cyan for my table.

Step 6: As you add more and more data, you can also rename the sheet to something more appropriate.

Table Step 6A - As you add more data, you can also rename the sheet to something more appropriate

In this case, I renamed it, “Top 10 Portable Bluetooth Speakers 2022”.

Table Step 6B - Renamed Sheet to Top 10 Portable Bluetooth Speakers 2022

Step 7: While in the middle of putting in data, you can also make all the cells the same size. Just select all the cells by clicking at the upper-left pane before the menu or pressing Ctrl-A.

Table Step 7A - Select all cells

Now you can resize one cell and all the rest of the cells will follow. This will apply to all cells so that you won’t have to resize them one by one manually.

Table Step 7B - Resize one cell and all cells will follow

Step 8: After putting in the raw data, you can (like I have) add images as well. You can copy them from the source website if this is just a presentation spreadsheet only (which falls under fair use).

Table Step 8A - Copy image for your table

Just remember that they should be resized with the cell in order for them to fit and not cover the rest of the table!

Table Step 8B - Resize the picture

Step 9: If you’ve forgotten to add a column (like in this case, I forgot to add “Price”), just add it then put in the price for each product like so.

In my case, I just right-clicked on column B and selected “Insert column to the right” for a new “Price” column.

Table Step 9A - Right-click and insert column to the right

I labeled the column thusly then added the price data onto it. I’ve also formatted the empty cells as currency by clicking the indicated “Format as currency” button.

Table Step 9B - Label header as price and format cells as currency

The finished table should look like this (zoomed out by 50%). Regardless, you now have a rough idea of how to make your own table relative to the formatting methods on this article and raw data you’ve gotten.

Table Step 9C - The finished table at 50 percent zoom

Factors to Consider

The spreadsheet is already a table ready to be inputted with data and knowledge. You just need to put in your raw data and sort them accordingly by functions, formulas, and formatting as indicated above.

Making charts, graphs, and tables should also give you the info you need to, say, improve upon your financial portfolio, survive the Crypto crash, budget your savings, keep track of your assets, or simply do a comparison chart on the hot new commodity.

References:

  1. “How to make a Table in Google Sheets?“, Spreadsheet.dev, Retrieved June 21, 2022
  2. “How To Make a Table in Google Sheets, and Make It Look Great“, BenlCollins.com, Retrieved June 21, 2022
  3. EcoTeacher2020, “Google Sheets – How To Create Data Table and Chart“, YouTube, February 25, 2019

Andy Avery

I really enjoy helping people with their tech problems to make life easier, ​and that’s what I’ve been doing professionally for the past decade.

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