What you will build
Find a specific value in the sample table and replace only the intended matches while keeping unrelated cells unchanged.
Learning objectives
Open the practice workbook
Practice in your own copy
Make your own Google Sheets copy with the same data, formulas, formatting, filter and frozen header. The original remains unchanged.
Sign in to Google. If the original is not publicly shared, download the full workbook and import it into Google Sheets, or paste the example data into your own sheet.
Hands-on practice
Step 1: Select A1:C4, then choose Edit > Find and replace.
Step 2: Enter Pending in Find and In progress in Replace with. Confirm Search is limited to the selected range A1:C4.
Step 3: Click Find once and verify the first Pending match is highlighted before using Replace all.
Step 4: Click Replace all and verify Sheets reports 2 replacements and C2:C3 now read In progress.
Step 5: Close the dialog, Undo once, and confirm C2:C3 return to Pending while C4 remains Done.
Checkpoint
| Product | Region | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Pen | North | Pending |
| Folder | South | Pending |
| Notebook | North | Done |
Checkpoint for “Find and replace spreadsheet values”: the Product, Region, Status columns and sample records must still match this table after the lesson action.
Common mistakes and fixes
Correction: return to the exact range and command named in the steps, then compare the live sheet with the Product, Region, Status source fields.
Independent practice
Add one row with the same schema, repeat the action, verify the new row behaves correctly, then remove it to restore the sample.
Key takeaways
- ✓Select the exact search range first.
- ✓Open Edit > Find and replace.
- ✓Enter exact Find and Replace with text.
- ✓Use Find once before Replace all.
- ✓Verify the replacement count, then Undo to restore the sample.
Check your understanding
Answer four questions about the practice sheet.
Next lesson
Continue in recommended learning order with Use keyboard shortcuts efficiently.