# TL;DR: Web Applications Q&A works better for practical, detailed questions from people that likes to learn and solve problems by themselves about to *using* web applications. It doesn't work for *seed questions* (ice breakers / conversation starter like questions), help desk like questions that require a lot of back and forth among of other types of questions that are commonly found in other websites like Reddit, Quora, Google Products Communities, among others. # General Before asking a question in Web Applications about Google Sheets you should already have spent time learning the *Google Sheets basics* even if you are a seasoned Excel user or a Stack Exchange power user. Things that any Google Sheets user should know *since day 1* 1. To create a new spreasheet it's required to have a Google account 2. There are three Google Sheets applications, one for each supported platform: web, Android and iOS. 3. Google Sheets spreadsheets as well other Google Editors files are stored in Google Drive. 4. Google Sheets support several [spreadsheet][1] common features like formulas, A1 notation for cell / range references and functions like VLOOKUP but it also has several unique features like open references, GOOGLEFINANCE, IMPORTRANGE, among many others. 5. Google Sheet might import / export files from / to other spreadsheet file formats. During the conversion from one format to another some characteristics might not be correctly converted or supported by the application used to open the converted file. ## Asking questions ### Scope Questions in Web Applications should be focused in using Google Sheets in the Web (using a web browser like Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, etc.). Most questions about the Google Sheets apps for Android and iOS are off-topic here. Overall questions might be on-topic while they aren't troubleshooting like questions they are off-topic here. I.E. if you got a network connection error the question is off-topic here but might be on topic in Super User, Ask Diferent, Ask Ubuntu, Android Enthusiast depending on the type of device, platform used (web, Android, iOS), operative system etc. An example of an overall question that might be on-topic are is a question about formula syntax, another might be about an in cell formula error. ### Practical and detailed In the previous section was mentioned that the question should be Google Sheets, could be about overall stuff but most commonly should be focused on using Google Sheets in the Web. Also the question should be about a practical and detailed. This means that questions not be about hipotetical situations or questions posted on behalf of someone else when the askerd doesn't have access to all the details. ### *Is it possible* This wording is commonly used in *blantanly basic questions*. If you haven't spend time learning the basics of Google Sheets, do that before asking a question in Web Applications. This wording also is commonly used as a variation of "How to..." . Be sure to clearly describe the expected result and do your best that your question ask for fuller explanations based in facts instead of yes/no answers. Tip: Avoid using "Is it possible" wording. ### How to This wording also is commonly used in *blantanly basic questions*. If you haven't spend time learning the basics of Google Sheets, do that before asking a question in Web Applications. Be sure to clearly describe the expected result and do your best that your question ask for answers that explain things beyond what is already said in the Google Editors Help and other official resources for end-users (i.e. learning centers) based in facts instead of yes/no answers. ### Self contained It's very common that people include links to spreadsheet. That might be helpful but questions should be self contained. You should describe the relevant parts of your spreadsheet directly into the question body. This includes but is not limited to the spreadsheet settings like the Country as it affects the separator used in formulas, numbers among other things. ### Language When including screenshots and formulas, if you are using other language than English, change your Google account or the spreadsheet settings to English to avoid having to make translations as it's hard to make a precise translation and doesnt' help the system and search engine properly work (suggestions, related, search engine ranking, etc.). ### Search, and research (sometimes referred as "effort") Besides the detailed description of the problem or what is being tried to do, the question should include what was found and why it didn't meet your needs. The spirit from this is avoid having to repeat what was already said but also avoid making others to spend time trying to provide a solution to a situation that was not fully described. It doesn't help having questions that the answer is solely a link or quote to an official resource for end-users. There might be cases when the answer is some obscure hard to find or understand bit of knowledge documented somewhere. Questions requiring an answer like this should be clear that a reasonable search-research was done to try to solve the problem by yourself before asking the question *or to get the question reopened*. **Official Google Sheets Resources** The official help resources could be found directly from the Google Sheets apps. Google Sheets menu collapsed [![][2]][2] Google Sheets menu expanded [![][3]][3] Google Sheets Help (top) [![][4]][4] Google Sheets Help (bottom) [![][5]][5] Google Sheets Spreadsheet Toolbar [![][6]][6] Google Sheets Spreadsheet Toolbar Help Menu expanded [![][7]][7] Pressing F1 in the Google Sheet spreadsheet editor, opens a new tab pointing to the Google Sheets section from the Google Editors Help -> [Google Sheets | Google Editors Help][8]. ### Tagging **Use** - [tag:google-sheets] **Might use** - [tag:formulas] if the question is about using formulas in Google Sheets. - [tag:google-chrome] or other web brower tag it is relevant for the question asked. - [tag:windows] or other operative system tag if the it's relavant to what is being asked. - [tag:mobile] if the question is about using Google Sheets in a mobile device and the screensize or user interface as releant to what is being asked. **Don't use** - [tag:microsoft-excel] unless the question is related to a Excel file or compatibility question. ## Question Title The question title should be unique and should briefly describe what was said in the body. Avoid including "Google Sheets", "Help", "Urgent" and alike, usually referred as "subject" tags or labels. # Related - [Answer][9] to [How to fix an unfocused post, that I thought was pretty well focused][10] [1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spreadsheet [2]: https://i.sstatic.net/V6es3.png [3]: https://i.sstatic.net/8tbJH.png [4]: https://i.sstatic.net/mAyrb.png [5]: https://i.sstatic.net/1wjDv.png [6]: https://i.sstatic.net/CeMaW.png [7]: https://i.sstatic.net/CDSty.png [8]: https://support.google.com/docs/topic/9054603?hl=en [9]: https://meta.superuser.com/a/14914/152004 [10]: https://meta.superuser.com/q/14912/152004