Formula guide · Google Sheets · Updated May 13, 2026
Google Sheets QUERY Limit
Limit the number of rows returned by a Google Sheets QUERY formula.
Quick Answer
Add limit followed by the number of rows you want at the end of the QUERY string.
Copyable Formula
=QUERY(A1:D100,"select A, D where C = 'Paid' order by D desc limit 10",1)Syntax
=QUERY(A1:D100,"select A, D order by D desc limit 10",1)Google Sheets
Worked Example
| Clause | Purpose |
|---|---|
| order by D desc | sort largest first |
| limit 10 | return ten rows |
Result: Returns only the first ten rows after filtering and sorting.
Steps
- Build the QUERY without limit first.
- Add order by if top rows depend on sorting.
- Add limit at the end of the query string.
- Change the number to control output size.
Common Mistakes
- Using limit before order by.
- Limiting unsorted data and getting arbitrary-looking rows.
- Forgetting that headers do not count as data rows.
Excel vs Google Sheets Notes
This page is focused on Google Sheets. Excel may require a different function, pivot table, or Power Query workflow.
Editorial check: This guide was last updated May 13, 2026. Formula behavior can vary by Excel version, Google Sheets rollout, and spreadsheet locale.