Formula guide · Google Sheets · Updated May 13, 2026
QUERY Select Where Examples
Filter rows and choose columns in Google Sheets with QUERY select and where clauses.
Quick Answer
Use select to choose output columns and where to keep only rows that match your condition.
Copyable Formula
=QUERY(A1:D20,"select A, D where C = 'Paid'",1)Syntax
=QUERY(A1:D20,"select A, D where C = 'Paid'",1)Google Sheets
Worked Example
| A | C | D |
|---|---|---|
| Client | Status | Amount |
| Acme | Paid | 300 |
| North Co | Open | 180 |
| Blue Lab | Paid | 420 |
Result: Returns Client and Amount only for Paid rows.
Steps
- Start with select and list the columns you want.
- Add where and the condition that rows must satisfy.
- Use single quotes inside the query string for text conditions.
Common Mistakes
- Writing double quotes inside double quotes without escaping.
- Selecting a column that contains mixed data types.
- Forgetting the header argument.
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.