Tutorials2026-05-20|8 min

Hipobuy Spreadsheet Automation Basics

Automation sounds intimidating, but basic hipobuy spreadsheet automation is simple. This tutorial covers formulas that update automatically, auto-fill tricks, and time-saving shortcuts that anyone can use.

Auto-Fill Formulas

The most basic automation is formula auto-fill. When you create a formula in row 2, drag the fill handle down to apply it to every row. When you add a new row, the formula copies automatically.

ARRAYFORMULA for Entire Columns

In Google Sheets, ARRAYFORMULA applies a formula to every row at once. Enter =ARRAYFORMULA(E2:E * F2:F + G2:G + H2:H) in the first data cell, and the entire column calculates. This saves even the drag step.

IF Statements for Smart Logic

IF statements make your sheet smarter. For example, =IF(K2 > 0, K2 / I2 * 100, 0) shows profit percentage only when there is a profit. Otherwise, it shows zero. This prevents division errors.

VLOOKUP for Reference Data

Use VLOOKUP to pull data from a reference table. Create a separate sheet with product prices, then use VLOOKUP to auto-fill prices in your main sheet. This prevents manual entry errors.

TODAY and NOW for Timestamps

Use =TODAY() in a date column to auto-fill the current date. Use =NOW() for exact timestamps. This removes the need to manually type dates for every order.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is ARRAYFORMULA hard to learn?

Not at all. It is one formula that replaces many. Copy our example and adapt it.

Will automation break my sheet?

Only if you delete referenced cells. Keep your data structure consistent.

Can I automate status updates?

Not directly. You still need to change status manually. But you can color-code automatically.

Do I need programming skills?

No. All of these are built-in spreadsheet features. No code required.

Which automation should I add first?

Start with ARRAYFORMULA for auto-calculating total cost. It gives the biggest time savings.

Ready to Start?

Get the best hipobuy spreadsheet templates and start tracking today.