TASK_COPY

Knowledgebase

TASK_COPY Function

Function Overview

The

TASK_COPY

function copies data and formatting from a source range to a destination range within Google Sheets. It allows you to duplicate content and maintain formatting across different areas of the same sheet or between different sheets in your spreadsheet.

Uses

Copy templates from one part of your spreadsheet to another.
Duplicate formatted tables without manually recreating them.
Transfer data between different sheets while maintaining formatting.
Create multiple instances of the same formatted data structure.
Replicate data entry areas with consistent formatting.

Syntax and Parameters

TASK_COPY(source_range, destination_range, [source_sheet], [destination_sheet])

Parameter	Data Type	Required	Description
source_range	`string`	Yes	The range to copy from. For example, `"A1:B10"` .
destination_range	`string`	Yes	The range to copy to. For example, `"C1:D10"` .
source_sheet	`string`	No	The name of the sheet containing the source range. For example, `"Sheet1"` .
destination_sheet	`string`	No	The name of the sheet containing the destination range. For example, `"Sheet2"` .

If source_sheet or destination_sheet are not specified, the active sheet will be used by default.

Advanced Options

Copying to a Larger Destination Range

When the destination range is larger than the source range, the function will automatically repeat the source content to fill the destination. This is useful for creating repeated patterns or structures.

Example:

Source range: A1:B2 (2×2 cells)
Destination range: C1:F4 (4×4 cells)
Result: The 2×2 source content will be repeated to fill the 4×4 destination area

Copying Between Different Sheets

To copy between different sheets, include both the source_sheet and destination_sheet parameters:

=TASK_COPY("A1:B10", "C1:D10", "Data", "Summary")

This copies from range A1:B10 in the "Data" sheet to range C1:D10 in the "Summary" sheet.

Examples

Example 1: Basic Copy in Same Sheet

=TASK_COPY("A1:B5", "D1:E5")

This copies data and formatting from A1:B5 to D1:E5 in the active sheet.

Example 2: Copy Between Different Sheets

=TASK_COPY("A1:C10", "A1:C10", "Template", "New Sheet")

This copies a template from the "Template" sheet to the same position in the "New Sheet".

Example 3: Copy and Replicate to Fill a Larger Area

=TASK_COPY("A1:B2", "D1:G6")

This copies the small 2×2 pattern from A1:B2 and replicates it to fill the larger D1:G6 area.

Best Practices

Verify your source and destination ranges before executing the function.
For large data sets, consider copying to a similarly sized destination to avoid performance issues.
When copying formulas, check that they still reference the correct cells in the new location.
Use descriptive sheet names to avoid confusion when copying between sheets.
Test the function with smaller ranges before working with larger data sets.

Troubleshooting

Issue	Solution
Error: "Source sheet not found"	Check that the specified source sheet name exists and is spelled correctly.
Error: "Destination sheet not found"	Verify the destination sheet name or create it if it doesn't exist.
Error: "Invalid range"	Ensure both source and destination ranges use proper A1 notation (e.g., "A1:B10").
Formatting not copied correctly	Try running the function again or manually copy formats with Edit > Paste special > Format.
Formula references incorrect cells	Adjust formulas in the destination range to reference appropriate cells.

FAQ

Q: Can I use this function to copy data between different spreadsheets?

A: No,

TASK_COPY

only works within the same spreadsheet file. For copying between different files, use Google Sheets' built-in copy/paste functionality.

Q: Will this function overwrite existing data in the destination range?

A: Yes, any existing data, formatting, and formulas in the destination range will be replaced.

Q: Does the function copy conditional formatting rules?

A: Yes, it copies all formatting including conditional formatting rules applied to the source range.

Q: Can I use cell references instead of range notation?

A: No, you must use A1 notation as strings (e.g., "A1:B10") for the ranges.

Q: What happens if the destination range is smaller than the source range?

A: Only the portion of the source that fits within the destination range will be copied.

elisha

5 months ago