Google Sheets API sorting issue: Formulas not updating with new row positions

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1

Hey everyone, I’m having a weird problem with the Google Sheets Python API. I managed to get the sorting function working, but there’s a catch. The formulas in my spreadsheet aren’t adjusting to the new row positions after sorting. It’s driving me nuts!

Here’s what I’m doing:

sort_request = {
    'requests': [{
        'sortRange': {
            'range': {
                'sheetId': '123456789',
                'startRowIndex': 1,
                'startColumnIndex': 0
            },
            'sortSpecs': [{
                'dimensionIndex': 0,
                'sortOrder': 'ASCENDING'
            }]
        }
    }]
}

This sorts the sheet, but my formulas are still pointing to the old rows. For example, if I have:

=IF(ISBLANK(Sheet1!B15), '', MAX(Sheet1!B15:15))

And row 15 moves to row 3, the formula doesn’t update. It keeps referencing row 15, which messes up all my calculations.

I’ve tried using absolute references with ‘$’, but no luck. Any ideas on how to make the formulas update automatically? Thanks!

2

I’ve encountered this issue before, and it can be quite frustrating. The problem lies in how Google Sheets handles sorting via API versus manual sorting. When you sort manually in the UI, Sheets automatically updates formula references. However, the API doesn’t trigger this behavior.

One workaround I’ve found effective is to use INDIRECT() function in your formulas. Instead of directly referencing cells, you can use INDIRECT() with a cell containing the row number. For example:

=IF(ISBLANK(INDIRECT(“Sheet1!B”&A1)), ‘’, MAX(INDIRECT(“Sheet1!B”&A1&“:”&A1)))

Where A1 contains the row number (e.g., 15). Then, after sorting, you only need to update the row numbers in column A, which is much easier to handle programmatically.

It’s not a perfect solution, but it’s helped me maintain formula integrity when working with API-based sorting. Hope this helps!

3

Yo, I feel ur pain! API sorting can be a real headache. have u tried using named ranges? like, instead of hard-coding cell refs, give ur data a name (Data > Named ranges). Then use that in ur formulas. it should stick even when rows move around. might save u some grief. good luck!

4

I’ve dealt with this exact problem in my projects. The API sorting doesn’t trigger formula updates like manual sorting does. A technique that’s worked well for me is using ARRAYFORMULA combined with ROW(). This allows formulas to dynamically adjust based on their current position.

For your specific case, try something like this:

=ARRAYFORMULA(IF(ISBLANK(B2:B), ‘’, MAX(B2:B)))

This formula will automatically adjust as rows move, eliminating the need for hard-coded row references. It’s been a game-changer for my spreadsheets that rely on API-based sorting.

Just remember to adjust the range (B2:B in this example) to fit your specific sheet structure. This approach has saved me countless hours of manual formula updates.