Sutra Tools is packed with powerful features designed to streamline your Google Sheets workflows. While many users are familiar with the core functionalities like cleaning data, managing sheets, or highlighting duplicates, there are several lesser-known features and shortcuts that can save you even more time.
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned power user, these tips will help you unlock the full potential of Sutra Tools and take your productivity to the next level.
1. Bulk Freeze or Unfreeze Rows and Columns
Freezing rows or columns is crucial for keeping headers visible while scrolling. Instead of manually freezing one row or column at a time, Sutra Tools allows you to freeze or unfreeze multiple rows and columns in one go.
Shortcut: Open the Sutra Tools sidebar, select the “Freeze/Unfreeze Data” feature, and specify the range you want to freeze or unfreeze.
2. Insert Custom Text into Multiple Cells Instantly
Instead of copying and pasting text across cells, use Sutra Tools to insert predefined text or formulas into multiple cells in seconds.
Pro Tip: This feature is ideal for labeling datasets or adding placeholders in large spreadsheets.
3. Automatically Generate an Index Sheet
For workbooks with multiple sheets, manually creating an index is tedious. Sutra Tools can create a clickable index sheet that links to all other sheets in your file, saving time and improving navigation.
Hidden Feature: You can customize the index sheet’s layout to include additional details like sheet descriptions or row counts.
4. Bulk Add or Remove Rows and Columns
Manually adding rows and columns is time-consuming, especially for large datasets. Sutra Tools lets you add or delete multiple rows and columns with just a few clicks.
Example: Need to add 50 rows to a dataset? Sutra Tools can handle it in seconds without breaking a sweat.
5. Sort All Sheets Alphabetically
Finding a specific sheet in a large workbook can be frustrating. Use the “Sort Sheets” feature to organize your sheets alphabetically in ascending or descending order.
Power Tip: Combine this feature with the index sheet generator for ultimate workbook organization.
6. Split Data into Multiple Sheets by Criteria
If you’re working with large datasets, Sutra Tools allows you to split data into separate sheets based on specified criteria, such as region, category, or sales tier.
Use Case: Quickly break down a sales report into individual sheets for each salesperson, ready for review or sharing.
7. Highlight and Remove Duplicate Rows Automatically
While many users rely on Sutra Tools to find duplicates, did you know it can also remove duplicate rows in one step?
Bonus Tip: Use the “Highlight Duplicates” feature first to review duplicates before deleting them.
8. Standardize Text Formatting Across Sheets
Sutra Tools can convert text to uppercase, lowercase, proper case, or sentence case across your entire workbook. This is especially helpful for cleaning inconsistent data.
Example: If customer names are inconsistently formatted, you can standardize them to proper case (John Doe) in a single operation.
9. Export Data to JSON for Seamless Integration
For users working with APIs or developers, Sutra Tools lets you export Google Sheets data directly to JSON format.
Hidden Gem: You can customize the exported data to include only specific columns or ranges, ensuring the JSON file meets your exact needs.
10. Save and Retrieve Files Directly from Google Drive
Managing file versions can be a hassle. Sutra Tools allows you to save Google Sheets directly to Google Drive and retrieve file details for better organization.
Quick Tip: Use the “Get File Details” feature to check metadata, like file size or last modified date, without leaving Google Sheets.
How to Maximize Sutra Tools’ Potential
To get the most out of Sutra Tools, here are a few tips:
- Combine Features: For example, clean data (trim spaces, standardize text) before splitting it into multiple sheets for better results.
- Bookmark Frequently Used Tools: Use the Sutra Tools sidebar to keep your most-used features easily accessible.
- Explore Tutorials: Sutra Tools provides helpful resources and walkthroughs to master advanced features.
Conclusion
Sutra Tools is more than just an add-on—it’s a productivity powerhouse for Google Sheets users. These lesser-known tips and features can transform how you work with data, helping you save time, reduce errors, and stay organized.
Whether you’re cleaning up messy datasets, managing multiple sheets, or exporting data for other platforms, Sutra Tools has a solution for you.