How to search cell data using query in Google Sheets

Prerequisites

• Create a sample Google Sheet that contains some information about the users.  
  
  

Note: When executing a query, keep these essential points in mind to prevent errors:

1. It is necessary to have data stored in a spreadsheet in plain text format, especially dates. To do this, press CTRL + A and navigate to Format > Number > Plain text.
2. Always pass the string and integer values in single quotes 'XYZ' while writing a query. For example, Select * Where A = 'Sam' 
3. Column headers (titles) must not include spaces. Use underscore '_' to separate two words. For example, Shirt_size instead of Shirt size. 

Step-by-step guide

Configuring the trigger

Configuring the Google Sheets-Search cell using query action

1. Under the Steps section, click on the Simple Action button and choose the Google Sheets app from the drop-down menu present in the Apps field.
2. Select the action, Search cell using query, from the drop-down menu in the Actions field.
3. Authorize your Google Sheets account by clicking the Link an account button, selecting the Gmail account that contains the above spreadsheet, and allowing the set of permissions.
4. A set of input fields will open. In the Spreadsheet field, select the Ecommerce customer list spreadsheet, which we had created earlier, from the drop-down menu.
5. In the Sheet name field, select the sheet that contains the data of the spreadsheet. For example, Sheet 1. 
   
   
6. In the Query string field, let's write a query that will help to search for data in the cell(s): 
   
   

   Operation	Query	Meaning
   To find complete information of a specific user by name	Select * Where A = 'Jon Doe'	Select users whose name is Jon Doe and return all the information. Here, * denotes all columns and A denotes the name of the column header named Age in the spreadsheet.

7. Specify this query in the text format in the Query String field:
   
   
   
   8. Save the changes done in the journey and click the Start journey button. Check the Output block of the Google Sheets action.
   

   Examples of Query String use cases

   Operation	Query String	Meaning
   To search users by email address	Select * Where B = 'jenny@gmail.com'	Select users whose email is jenny@gmail.com and return all their information. Here, * denotes all columns and B denotes the name of the column header named Email in the spreadsheet.

   
   
   
   Output
   
   
   

   Operation	Query String	Meaning
   To search users whose age is equal to 25 years	Select * Where C = '25'	Get the information of users whose age is equal to 25 years. Here,* denotes all columns and C denotes the name of the column header named Age in the spreadsheet.

   
   
   Output
   
   

   Operation	Query String	Meaning
   To search users whose age is greater than 24 years and opts for a shirt of M or XL size	Select * Where C > '24' AND ( D = 'M' OR D = 'XL' )	Select users whose age is greater than 24 years and has opted for a shirt of M or XL size. Here, * denotes all columns, and C and D denote the name of the column headernamed as Age and Shirt_size in  the spreadsheet.

   
   
   
   
   Output
   
   

   Operation	Query String	Meaning
   Get all the users and their information	Select *	Select and show all records Here, * denotes all columns

   
   
   
   Output
   
   

Note:For a detailed understanding of the clauses, conditions, syntax, and operators supported in Quickwork queries, click here.