In 2020 when this question was originally posted and still at the end of February, 2023, google-sheets is the tag with the higher number of questions in Web Applications SE. Unfortunately people answering questions are, IMHO, very few, and voting are also very few.
Besides of the different reasons that we could discuss, I believe that recent quality questions help to keep knowledgeable people interested. I also belive that "broken windows" might cause people ask questions that doesn't belogs to this site, have wrong expectations and derive in unnesary conflicts.
NOTE: "broken window" is a term taken from the "real world" to apply to Stack Exchange posts that are used as excuse to allow deviation from the aspirations and workings of the corresponding community. Meta Stack Exchange has a tag about this -> [broken-windows].
Many askers someway found this site and post their question without having any badge or reputation. Per se that isn't bad but usually those questions:
- Need more details
- Need more focus
- Ask to find a feature, formula, script, add-on or reference
From time to time we also found questions about Google Sheets that asks about how to develop a web application
Some of these questions include a link to a spreadsheet but it doesn't really help to understand the question. It's worthy to mention that not all of these users as aware that sharing an spreadsheet reveal their Google Account name and that could also reveal their email address.
I'm wandering if there are people here interested in collaborate to create an extended version of "How to ask good question?" pointed to people asking questions using the google-sheets or in improving the corresponding tag wiki.
The following search, in February 24th 2023, [google-sheets] created:30d.. isanswered:0 answers:1 hasaccepted:0 returned 28 questions with score = 0 having at least one answer, considered not answered because the answers haven't a positive score.
Stats of the last 30 days taken in February 24, 2023.
![Stats for [google-sheets], February 24, 2023](https://i.sstatic.net/tx1bZ.png)
![Top Answerers in the last 30 for [google-sheets]](https://i.sstatic.net/uXud8.png)
Related
- Why aren't people voting? How can we get people to get more engaged?
- How do we promote knowledgeable people to answer questions here on Web Applications
- Do we need to extend the [importxml] wiki?
- Please remind people that questions and answers must contain the data
- Feedback to 'please write a script for me' questions?
Recent related posts
From Meta Web Applications SE
From Super User
- How to fix an unfocused post, that I thought was pretty well focused (I posted an answer with stuff that might be included here)
From How to ask a good question?
How to ask a good question?
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Tag wiki
Overview
One of the applications of the Google Docs editors to create and work on Google's own spreadsheet format. It can be accessed from Google Drive or from http://sheets.google.com.
NOTE: On the official documentation "spreadsheet" is used instead of "workbook" and "sheet" instead of "worksheet". The app's name has changed and was previously Google Spreadsheets.
Within the spreadsheet, all basic functions (see complete list) and more are present to accomplish many goals. Do not expect Sheets to mimic Excel exactly. For user-specific features, Google Apps Script can create custom functions and allows for extra flexibility inside and outside the spreadsheet.
General asking guidance Before posting a question:
- Check the Official Documentation and make use of Sheet's inbuilt Help, in particular for the syntax required by functions.
- Search for related questions & answers tagged google-sheets.
- If you get "#ERROR! > Error: Parse error on formula", check that your formula is using the correct argument separator. Some locales use a comma, others a semicolon (set at sheet level).
- Mention if you are using a version other than English.
- If your question is about a complex formula that is not working, (1) check that each part works correctly and (2) mention which specific part is not working and (3) in what way/where it fails.
- Be certain to provide cell references where relevant (eg avoid cropping the Headings [A, B, C etc across the top, 1, 2, 3 etc. down the side] when uploading an image).
- Where values that are expected to be the same are not, check for surplus spaces (especially trailing ones).
- Share a link to a testsheet, following the guidelines here: How to share a Google Sheets demo spreadsheet
Do's The tag can be used by itself or in combination with other tags:
(† to indicate that you want to convert the spreadsheet to PDF in Google Drive.)
Others tags that may be relevant include:
google-sheets-addons google-sheets-charts google-sheets-performance google-sheets-query google-sheets-timestamp
If the question is about a formula:
- Include the formula
- Include a representative sample of the source data, preferably in text format
- Include exactly what results are required from the source data, and where
- Include, where appropriate, a link to a demo spreadsheet shared with anyone with the link is able to view but do not rely on the sheet or images to clarify what should be stated in words
Dont's Without good reason, do not use the google-drive tag in combination with the google-sheets tag, to point to the Google Sheets. This will make both tags contaminated.
Automating tasks / add custom functions and features
We can use macros to record recurring steps as far as the procedure is simple. For complex automation, adding custom functions and features we could use Google Apps Script. Before asking a question that involves macros and scripts, please read Extending Google Sheets.
How to get more specific guidance on asking questions about Google Sheets
Request for help about how to ask a question on Meta Web Applications.
References
