📋 How to Copy a Formula Down an Entire Column in Google Sheets

1. Overview

\[ \begin{array}{l} \textbf{In Google Sheets, formulas can be applied to an entire column --} \\ \text{without manually dragging the fill handle, using built-in features or Apps Script.} \\ \textbf{This allows you to quickly populate calculated results --} \\ \text{for large datasets with minimal effort.} \end{array} \]

2. Core Steps

\[ \begin{array}{ll} \textbf{Step 1:} & \text{Enter your desired formula in the first cell of the target column.} \\ \textbf{Step 2:} & \text{Press Ctrl + Shift + Enter (or Cmd + Shift + Enter on Mac) for array formulas.} \\ \textbf{Step 3:} & \text{Alternatively, double-click the fill handle to copy down automatically.} \\ \textbf{Step 4:} & \text{Use Apps Script to fill formulas dynamically for automation.} \\ \textbf{Step 5:} & \text{Review the filled column for accuracy.} \end{array} \]

3. Sample Google Apps Script

// This script copies a formula down an entire column
function copyFormulaDown() {
  var sheet = SpreadsheetApp.getActiveSpreadsheet().getActiveSheet();
  var startRow = 2; // Row where the formula starts
  var formulaColumn = 2; // Column B
  
  // Get the formula from the first cell in the column
  var formula = sheet.getRange(startRow, formulaColumn).getFormula();
  
  // Get last row with data in column A (adjust if needed)
  var lastRow = sheet.getLastRow();
  
  // Fill the formula down to the last row
  sheet.getRange(startRow, formulaColumn, lastRow - startRow + 1).setFormula(formula);
}

4. Important Notes

\[ \begin{array}{l} \text{• Ensure the starting cell contains the correct formula before copying.} \\ \text{• Adjust column and row references in the script to match your sheet.} \\ \text{• For dynamic ranges, consider using ARRAYFORMULA instead of Apps Script.} \\ \text{• Apps Script requires edit permissions on the sheet.} \end{array} \]

5. Conceptual Flow (in LaTeX)

The process can be described as:

\[ \text{Formula in First Cell} \xrightarrow{\text{Fill Handle or Apps Script}} \text{Formula in Entire Column} \]

Where: \[ \text{Result} = \{ \text{Row}_1, \text{Row}_2, \ldots, \text{Row}_n \} \]