Row IDs
=SEQUENCE(COUNTA(A2:A)) assigns 1 through n beside a variable-length list in column A.
What is SEQUENCE in Google Sheets?
SEQUENCE returns a grid of sequential numbers. You set how many rows and columns, the starting value, and the step between values. It replaces manual 1, 2, 3 fill patterns and pairs well with MAP, LAMBDA, and date math for generated row labels.
When to use it
Use SEQUENCE for row numbers, week indexes, amortization period counters, or any template that needs a fixed count of ascending values.
When to skip it
Skip SEQUENCE when values are irregular or come from another table. Reference the real source column instead.
How it works
-
1
Choose row count as the first argument, for example 12 for twelve months.
-
2
Set column count to 1 for a single column list or more for a matrix.
-
3
Pass start value and step, such as SEQUENCE(10, 1, 100, 10) for 100, 110, ...
-
4
Place the formula where the spill will not overwrite data.
-
5
Combine with EDATE or DATE to turn index columns into month series.
-
6
Use MAKEARRAY when you need custom logic per cell instead of simple increments.
Examples in Google Sheets
Ten percent steps
=SEQUENCE(11, 1, 0, 0.1) builds 0, 0.1, 0.2, through 1 for a sensitivity table header.
Month index
=EDATE(DATE(2024,1,1), SEQUENCE(12)-1) generates twelve month-start dates in one column.
Build this without starting from a blank cell
Use a Better Sheets tool for SEQUENCE, then watch a walkthrough when you want the full pattern.
Better Sheets resources
Common mistakes
- SEQUENCE row count hard-coded while source data grows, leaving new rows without IDs.
- Using SEQUENCE where ROW() on a filtered list would misalign numbers.
- Forgetting step can be negative for countdown columns.
- Spilling a huge SEQUENCE on a busy tab without checking performance.
- Mixing text start values without VALUE conversion.
Frequently asked questions
- SEQUENCE vs ROW?
- ROW returns the sheet row index. SEQUENCE builds a custom count and step independent of position.
- Can SEQUENCE make dates?
- Combine with DATE or EDATE on the sequence output rather than expecting SEQUENCE alone to output dates.
- Two-dimensional SEQUENCE?
- Set both row and column counts greater than one for a number matrix.
- SEQUENCE with MAP?
- MAP can transform each generated index into richer calculated values.
- Why #REF! on SEQUENCE?
- Usually a blocked spill range, not the SEQUENCE math itself.
- SEQUENCE and LAMBDA?
- Common in advanced templates that loop indexes through custom formulas.
- Empty step argument?
- Omitted step defaults to 1. Specify explicitly when you need decimals or negatives.
Related Tutorials
Watch how SEQUENCE works
Iterate Numbers with a Simple Apps Script
Spreadsheet Automation 101: Functions
Created a GPT function in Sheets
Embed a Number in a Website from a Google Sheet
How to Insert Multiple Rows in Google Sheets (Easy to Hard)
Related blog posts
Guides that explain SEQUENCE in more depth.
Spreadsheets Explained over 5 Levels of Difficulty
Master Google Sheets from simple text input to complex operations with our FREE tutorials, templates, and tools! Unleash the full power of spreadsheets now!
Read post →Figure Out Frequency of Numbers
Discover how to figure out the frequency of numbers, product IDs, text, emails and much more! Essential tips and tricks revealed.
Read post →Spreadsheets Explained! 5 Levels of Difficulty: From Basic Text Input to Google Apps Script
Five increasingly difficult ways of explaining spreadsheets in Google Sheets: The basics of Google Sheets text Menu items in Google Sheets Math inside Google Sheets Using Formulas in Google Sheets Apps Script in Google Sheets
Read post →Related glossary terms
SORTN
SORTN sorts a range and returns only the first N rows. You choose how many rows, which column drives the sort, and ascending or descending order. Leaderboards and best-seller reports use SORTN instead of manual sorting that goes stale.
Read guide →MAKEARRAY
MAKEARRAY creates a grid of specified height and width, computing each cell with a LAMBDA that receives row and column indexes. It builds lookup tables, sensitivity matrices, and coordinate-driven templates without manual fill.
Read guide →LAMBDA
LAMBDA defines an anonymous function inside a formula. You name parameters, write the calculation, then pass arguments when you call it. Combined with MAP, BYROW, or a named LAMBDA in the Name manager, it replaces fragile copy-paste logic across big tables.
Read guide →MAP
MAP walks aligned arrays element by element and applies a LAMBDA to each position. Pass one array for unary transforms or several arrays for element-wise combinations. It is the modern replacement for many ARRAYFORMULA column operations.
Read guide →Done reading about SEQUENCE?
Membership unlocks 636+ tutorials, unlimited generators, and every template. Practical lessons. Zero fluff.
Need this once
Jump to a free tool or a single tutorial for this topic.
Learning Sheets for real
Unlock the full library, generators, and templates with membership.