SEQUENCE in Google Sheets generates numbers across an empty range. Enter =SEQUENCE(8) once to get 1 through 8 vertically. You can also set the number of columns, starting value, and step.
Generate a Basic Numeric Sequence
Enter this formula in E2 and leave E2:E9 available:
=SEQUENCE(8)The numbers 1 through 8 appear down the column. Only E2 contains the formula. Edit that cell to change the sequence; you do not need ARRAYFORMULA for SEQUENCE itself.
![SEQUENCE example with a bordered dataset and result [[1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7], [8]].](https://geosheets.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/geosheets-sequence-formula-example.png)
SEQUENCE Function Syntax
=SEQUENCE(rows, [columns], [start], [step])| Argument | Meaning | Default |
|---|---|---|
| rows | Number of output rows | Required |
| columns | Number of output columns | 1 |
| start | First number | 1 |
| step | Change between numbers | 1 |
Use positive whole numbers for row and column counts. Zero rows produced #NUM! in the live test. A negative step is valid because it controls direction, not the output size.
Set a Custom Start and Step
=SEQUENCE(5,1,10,5)The result is 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 vertically. The second argument, 1, keeps the output to one column. To count down, use =SEQUENCE(5,1,5,-1) for 5 through 1.
Decimal steps work too: =SEQUENCE(3,1,0,0.5) returns 0, 0.5, and 1. The start and step describe the values; the row and column counts describe the shape.
Build a Row or a Two-Dimensional Grid
=SEQUENCE(3,4)| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
The values fill left to right, then continue on the next row. For a single horizontal sequence, =SEQUENCE(1,4) returns 1, 2, 3, 4 across four columns.
The destination must be clear. Existing data anywhere in the output block causes #REF!. Move the conflicting content or choose another starting cell; SEQUENCE does not overwrite occupied cells.
Generate Consecutive Dates
=SEQUENCE(7,1,DATE(2026,1,1))The output represents January 1–7, 2026. Select the seven result cells and choose Format → Number → Date if they display date serial numbers such as 46023 instead.
The default step is one day because Sheets stores dates numerically. Changing the row count to 14 creates a two-week run. A fixed day step does not create evenly spaced calendar months.
Generate Odd Numbers and Labels
=SEQUENCE(6,1,1,2)This returns 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11. Starting at 2 with the same step generates even numbers. To map a sequence to text labels, use:
=ARRAYFORMULA(CHOOSE(SEQUENCE(3),"Gold","Silver","Bronze"))This spills Gold, Silver, and Bronze. The ARRAYFORMULA wrapper is needed for CHOOSE to apply across this sequence; the unwrapped expression returned only Gold in the live test.
Choose a Row Count That Matches Your Data
A fixed row count produces a fixed-size sequence. ROWS on an open-ended range counts available sheet rows, including blanks, so it does not automatically count your records.
For a record counter, base the size on the actual data range or a suitable count. If every nonblank row needs its own position, the ROW function offers a related approach.
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