BYROW Function in Google Sheets: Syntax, Examples & Compatibility
Learn how to summarize every row of a rectangular source table independently in Google Sheets. Includes syntax, two verified-by-reasoning results, troubleshooting and portability notes.
Verification status: Official documentation referenced; example outcomes independently reasoned or arithmetically checked where stated. Not executed in Google Sheets. How formula examples are checked
Quick answer: summarize every row of a rectangular source table independently in Google Sheets. The reproducible examples below use explicit values so the formula’s meaning is testable without a large workbook.
Evidence: The function name and syntax are documented in the linked vendor function reference. Expected outputs were independently reasoned or checked outside the application. These are not native Google Sheets test results. A guide being published here does not certify every software release or file-import scenario.
Syntax and arguments
=BYROW(array_or_range, LAMBDA)
The LAMBDA is called for each row of the input and should return one scalar result for that row.
Best use case: Summarize every row of a rectangular source table independently.
Set up the example sheet
Enter this short matrix into A2:B4:
| Row | A: first count | B: second count |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 2 | 3 |
| 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 4 | 6 | 7 |
Enter the formula in an unused cell. For a formula returning several values, leave an unobstructed area where those values can expand. These formulas use comma argument separators in a typical English-language locale; commas or semicolons inside quoted text are data, not argument separators. Adapt the separator if your regional settings require it.
Worked example 1: BYROW with known input
=BYROW(A2:B4,LAMBDA(r,SUM(r)))
Expected output: column 5, 9, 13.
Each two-cell row is summed independently.
Worked example 2: a second BYROW case
=BYROW(A2:B4,LAMBDA(r,MAX(r)))
Expected output: column 3, 5, 7.
The largest number from each row is returned.
Compare both results before replacing literal values or short sample ranges with your own workbook data. For a spilling formula, compare every output cell, not only the top-left result.
Practical advice and troubleshooting
When this formula helps: BYROW is handy for summarizing variable-width row data without manually copying a separate aggregation formula for each row.
Important edge case: Each LAMBDA call is expected to return a single value. Attempting to return an entire row array can cause an output error.
If the result differs, first verify the text-versus-number types of the input cells, the argument separators for your locale, and the range size. For dynamic arrays, inspect occupied cells in the output area. An error that looks like a missing function may reflect a software version rather than incorrect data.
Compatibility and version considerations
Excel has BYROW in newer dynamic-array releases, but exact error behavior and lambda features can depend on version.
Check your installed release for availability and dynamic-array support.
Function availability and parameter behavior must be judged for the specific application and release; a function documented in one spreadsheet does not automatically work in another.
Related guides and official documentation
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Google Sheets documentation for BYROW — function syntax and current vendor information.
Editorial verification: Vendor catalogue referenced as of 2026-10-12. The two example outputs are independently reasoned; no native application run, screenshot, or version-specific output is claimed. Review the editorial testing standards if you require stronger proof before importing a workbook.