What if we need a logarithm value for the base of 2? Or a base of 10? In such scenarios, the LOG formula in Google Sheets is the most flexible and useful function that can help us evaluate values for any base that we choose.<\/p>\n
Without further ado, let\u2019s explore exactly what the LOG function is in Google Sheets, when you can use it, and what it looks like when applied to your own Google Sheets data.\u00a0<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Connections T – Automate beyond importrange – Horizontal” module_class=”sheetgo-post-no-shadow-img md2-contained-button-light vertical-banner-container” _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#f2f7ff” max_width=”700px” module_alignment=”center” max_height=”300px” custom_margin=”20px|0px|20px|0px|true|true” custom_padding=”25px|25px|25px|25px|true|true” sticky_limit_bottom=”section” border_radii=”on|20px|20px|20px|20px” border_width_all=”1px” border_color_all=”#d9e7ff” saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}” global_module=”50462″ theme_builder_area=”post_content”]![\"\"](\"https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Add-on-sm_sheets-connected-new-connection.webp\")
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![\"39\"](\"https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Recommended-for-Google-Workspace-badge.webp\"){kind=icon}
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Automate data transfers beyond Importrange<\/span><\/p>\n Find out how<\/a>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n The LOG function in Google Sheets returns the logarithm of a number in any base. However, in most cases, it\u2019s usually used to calculate the logarithm of a number in base 10.\u00a0<\/p>\n In the image below, you can see the difference between a natural logarithm (LN) and a logarithm (LOG), with two logarithms using a base of 2 and 10. <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/LOG-formula-1.png” alt=”LOG formula 1″ title_text=”LOG formula 1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n Although complex in nature, the syntax of the LOG formula is simple.<\/p>\n LOG(value, base)<\/strong><\/p>\n It\u2019s important to note that the value and base parameters inputs must be positive numeric values. The formula will return a #NUM! error if you try to use it with a zero or negative value and\/or base.<\/p>\n Since this is a mathematical function, it gives us more perspective if we applied this practically on the Google Sheets application. So, here we go.<\/p>\n There are many different ways you can use the LOG function in Google Sheets. From a business perspective, you may use it as part of your calculation to return the percentage increase of a value over a given time. Alternatively, you could use the LOG function as part of a larger formula to calculate any value’s compound annual growth rate (CAGR). <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n Let\u2019s take one of the methods above to show a real-life use case of when you can use the LOG function inside Google Sheets.\u00a0<\/p>\n Let\u2019s say I am the head of the finance department in my company. I want to calculate growth of the company\u2019s latest investments as a percentage, to see whether the investments are worth it.\u00a0<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n Below is an example of how you can use the LOG function to return specific values. As you can see, I use the base of 10 across all the examples.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/LOG-1.png” alt=”LOG Formula in Google Sheets: Usage” title_text=”LOG – 1″ align=”center” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ width=”640px” max_width=”640px” height=”440px” max_height=”440px” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n As is the case with most Google Sheets formulas, the LOG formula also accepts direct numeric values, as well as cell references.\u00a0<\/p>\n You may notice just by this data table that the results follow a similar exponential increase, as shown in the graph above.\u00a0<\/p>\n If I plot my data as a line graph, you can see how it is almost a replica of the first graph. <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/LOG-2.png” alt=”LOG formula: Results According to Different Bases” title_text=”LOG – 2″ align=”center” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ width=”640px” max_width=”640px” height=”440px” max_height=”440px” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n As the head of the finance department in my company, I want to calculate how long it would take for me to reach a certain amount of money.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n In this example, I would like to know how long it would take for me to double my investment with a 1% monthly interest rate that compounds over time.<\/p>\n If I invested $10,000, I would like to know how many months I would have to wait until I reach $20,000. In this case, the principal sum would be $10,000 and the final amount I want to reach would be $20,000. The interest rate is 1%.<\/p>\n The result is the number of times interest is applied to the principal sum. In this case, it would take me over 69 months to double my investment at a 1% monthly interest rate.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/LOG-3.png” alt=”LOG Formula: Graph in Google Sheets” title_text=”LOG – 3″ align=”center” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ width=”640px” max_width=”640px” height=”440px” max_height=”440px” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n We have applied the formula LOG(value, base)<\/b>. The value is the ratio between the final amount and the principal sum, whereas the base is the rate at which our capital will appreciate over time (the interest rate).<\/p>\n We have divided the final amount (B4) by the principal sum (cell B2) to get the correct value. In order to get the base, we have converted the interest rate to decimals (cell B3 divided by 100) and added 1.<\/p>\n As a result, we have used the formula as follows.<\/p>\n =LOG(B4\/B2, B3\/100+1)<\/p>\n Let’s say we want to turn $10,000 into $12,000. We are going to invest the principal sum in an investment that will yield a 2% monthly gain. In this case, it would take over 9 months to get the desired result.<\/p>\n For a quick estimate without a formula, the rule of 72<\/a> divides 72 by the annual interest rate to give the number of years an investment takes to double.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/LOG-4.png” alt=”LOG Formula: Graph in Google Sheets” title_text=”LOG – 4″ align=”center” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ width=”640px” max_width=”640px” module_alignment=”center” height=”638px” max_height=”440px” custom_margin=”2px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n There you have it! Now you can use the LOG formula in Google Sheets to perform some complex calculations.<\/p>\n If you want to calculate useful finance-related values quickly and easily, check out this article on how to use the FV formula in Google Sheets<\/a>.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Connections T – Automate between spreadsheets – Horizontal” module_class=”sheetgo-post-no-shadow-img md2-contained-button-light vertical-banner-container” _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#f2f7ff” max_width=”700px” module_alignment=”center” max_height=”300px” custom_margin=”20px|0px|20px|0px|true|true” custom_padding=”25px|25px|25px|25px|true|true” sticky_limit_bottom=”section” border_radii=”on|20px|20px|20px|20px” border_width_all=”1px” border_color_all=”#d9e7ff” global_module=”50460″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n Automate data transfers between spreadsheets Find out how<\/a><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Needing to calculate the logarithm of your data inside spreadsheets? No need for a calculator; Google Sheets has its own LOG function to find the logarithm for you.\u00a0 You may have already learned the behavior of natural logarithms and the usage of LN formula in Google Sheets. Although this formula is useful in many fields, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":40,"featured_media":41340,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"In this post<\/a>, we learned the behavior of natural logarithm<\/a> and the usage of LN formula. While we can agree that the logarithm evaluated upon base e is quite useful in many fields, it isn't as flexible. For instance, we can not evaluate the logarithm for a base that is not, the Euler's number (e)<\/a>. What if we need logarithm<\/a> value for the base of 2? Or base of 10? In such scenarios, the LOG<\/a> formula in Google Sheets can help us evaluate values for any base that we choose.\n\nIf we were to plot graphs of logarithm functions evaluated upon base 2 and 10, this is how they would look. You can also compare them against the natural logarithm (base e) curve.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_9022\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"432\"]What is the LOG function in Google Sheets?\u00a0<\/h2>\n
LOG function syntax <\/h3>\n
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Usage: LOG formula in Google Sheets<\/h3>\n
Use case of the LOG function in Google Sheets\u00a0<\/h3>\n
How to use the LOG function in Google Sheets\u00a0<\/h2>\n
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Examples of using the LOG function in Google Sheets\u00a0<\/h2>\n
1. How long would it take for you to double your investment?<\/h3>\n
2. How long would it take for you to turn $10,000 into $12,000?<\/h3>\n
How to use the LOG formula in Google Sheets<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/run-automatically-connect-sheet-icons.webp\"){kind=icon}
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n![\"Log](\"https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Log-formula-in-Google-Sheets-Graphs.webp\")
Logarithm functions for bases 2, e, and 10. [Image Source: Wikipedia][\/caption]\nSyntax<\/h3>\nLOG(value, base)<\/strong>\n
\n \t
Usage: LOG formula in Google Sheets<\/h3>\nSince this is a mathematical function, it gives us more perspective if we applied this practically on the Google Sheets application. So, here we go.\n\n
![\"LOG](\"https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/LOG-formula-Illustration-Frame-1.png\")
\n\nWe tried using the base of 10 across all the examples. As it is the case with most Google Sheets formulas, the LOG formula also accepts direct numeric values, as well as cell references. We demonstrated that in our examples.\n\nWe will notice that the values tend to progress in line with the curve corresponding to base 10 in the graph. A better way to visualize and reinforce our understanding would be to plot graphs of multiple bases. Now that we already have the outputs for base 10, let's try doing the same exercise for bases 2 and e.\n\n![\"LOG](\"https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/LOG-formula-Illustration-Frame-2.png\")
\n\nIf we now plot these values on a chart, it will look like this. And unsurprisingly, it resembles the very first graph on this post.\n\n![\"LOG](\"https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/LOG-formula-Illustration-Frame-3.png\")
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