Using formulas in Proton Sheets

Formulas in Proton Sheets work just like in Google Sheets or Microsoft Excel, so you can use the same functions you already know without any extra training. You can perform calculations, automate tasks, and extract insights from your data with familiar syntax.

Reference cells, use built-in functions, and create dynamic spreadsheets that update automatically as your data changes — all while keeping your information private. Teams can use formulas to track project timelines, calculate budgets, or summarize survey results collaboratively and securely.

• Get started with a formula
• Common formulas
• Use cell references
• Troubleshooting
• What next?

Get started with a formula

1. Click on a cell where you want the result to appear.
2. Type = followed by your formula — for example, =SUM(A1:A5) adds up all the values from A1 to A5.
3. Press Enter to apply the formula. The result will appear in the cell, and the formula stays visible in the formula bar.

Common formulas

Here are a few useful formulas to try in Proton Sheets:

Function	What it does	Example
SUM(range)	Adds all numbers in the specified range	=SUM(A1:A5)
AVERAGE(range)	Calculates the average (mean) of values in a range	=AVERAGE(B1:B5)
COUNT(range)	Counts how many cells in the range contain numbers	=COUNT(C1:C10)
COUNTA(range)	Counts how many cells in the range are not empty (text, numbers, etc.)	=COUNTA(D1:D10)
MAX(range)	Returns the highest number in a range	=MAX(E1:E10)
MIN(range)	Returns the lowest number in a range	=MIN(E1:E10)
IF(condition, true, false)	Checks if a condition is met and returns one value if true, another if false	=IF(F1>10, "Yes", "No")
CONCAT(text1, text2) or CONCATENATE(text1, text2)	Joins two or more text strings together without separation	=CONCAT(G1, " ", H1)
LEFT(text, number)	Returns the first characters from the left	=LEFT("January", 3) → Jan
RIGHT(text, number)	Returns the last characters from the right	=RIGHT("January", 3) → ary
MID(text, start, length)	Extracts part of a text string by starting at a specific position and pulling a specific number of characters	=MID("January", 2, 3) → anu
TODAY()	Returns the current date (updates daily)	=TODAY()
NOW()	Returns the current date and time	=NOW()
ROUND(number, digits)	Rounds a number to the specified number of decimal places	=ROUND(3.14159, 2) → 3.14
TEXT(value, format)	Formats a number or date as text	=TEXT(TODAY(), "yyyy-mm-dd")

Use cell references

You can reference specific cells or ranges in your formulas. If you update the values in those cells, the formula updates automatically. For example, =A1 + B1 adds the values from cells A1 and B1 — if you later change the value in A1 or B1, the formula result updates instantly.

There are two types of cell references you can use:

• A relative reference — A1, for example — that changes automatically when you copy the formula to another cell. For instance, if you copy =A1 + B1 from row 1 to row 2, it becomes =A2 + B2.
• An absolute reference $A$1 that always refers to the exact same cell, no matter where you copy the formula. For example, copying =$A$1 + B1 down a row becomes =$A$1 + B2 — only B1 adjusts.

Tip: Use $ before the column letter, row number, or both to control what stays fixed:

• $A$1 fixes both column and row
• A$1 fixes the row only
• $A1 fixes the column only

Troubleshooting

If you see an error like #VALUE! or #REF!, hover over the cell for an explanation.

Make sure your formula starts with = or it will be treated as plain text.

What next?

If you’re new to Proton Sheets, check out our getting started guide to learn the basics.