How to Use DELTA Function in Google Sheets

The DELTA function in Google Sheets is used to compare two numeric values, and returns the value ‘1’ if they are equal.

The Anatomy of DELTA Function in Google Sheets
A Real Example of Using DELTA Function
How to Use DELTA Function in Google Sheets

This function is useful because it helps you to immediately see if two given numbers are equal or not. This is an engineering function, inspired and named after the Kronecker delta function of two variables which are non-negative integers.

The function keeps everything in your spreadsheet straightforward and understandable for new users. This will avoid broken formulas and mismatched information in your spreadsheets at the end of the day, which will make you run into some difficulties with your overall data in the long run.

Let’s look at an example.

You have a spreadsheet that details the scores that some people have reported on their modules, but you also have a record of the same module. You want to go through the whole class and see if the reported and actual scores are the same.

How should we go about this problem?

The DELTA function takes in the two inputs and determines if they are equal or not. Instead of scanning the entire spreadsheet and using arbitrary formulas that offer no explanation, this is a helpful tool that will allow for such a calculation to take place in a neat manner.

The Anatomy of DELTA Function in Google Sheets

The syntax of the DELTA function is as follows:

=DELTA(number1, [number2])

Let’s have a look at each part of the function to understand what is going on here:

= is the equals sign that starts off any function in Google Sheets.
DELTA is the name of our function.
number1 is the first value to be compared.
[number2] is the optional second value to be compared. If it’s not provided, its default is zero.

Note that if you do not provide a [number2], then the number1 will be compared to 0 (zero).

This function can only compare numbers. So if there are other values you need to compare, you can use the EQ function.

A Real Example of Using DELTA Function

You may be curious as to why the DELTA function exists, when there are other ways to compare two values.

The DELTA function is an engineering function. It helps to create conditions in Google Sheets to make it easy to follow algebraic equations. It is helpful to have a function that returns a certain value (in this case, 1) should two values be equal. This is helpful in a variety of very specific tasks.

Let’s look at the example below to see how to use the DELTA function in Google Sheets.

Viewing the matching numbers in Google Sheets

This is a simple problem. It is a simplified task to help you understand what the function can be used for.

How to Use the DELTA Function in Google Sheets

The function takesup to 2 arguments. So in the equation, it will look like:

=DELTA(C5,$C$2)

Note that we added dollar signs to lock the value in the Winning Ticket cell. Of course, we want to return “WIN” or “LOSE” so we proceed with the following formula:

=IF(DELTA(C5,$C$2)=1,"WIN","LOSE")

You should now see a helpful list that will allow you to sort through the winners and losers of the draw quickly. This simple problem can be practiced to perfection. Use the link below to get a copy of this problem set:

Make a copy of example spreadsheet