Creating a Log-Transformed Table in Google Sheets

Here’s how to create a new table where every cell is the logarithm of your original data (courtesy of Claude AI)

Step 1: Enter the Formula

Choose your starting cell (e.g., if original data starts at A1, start your log table at C1)

Enter the LOG formula:

  • Click on your target cell
  • Type: =LOG(A1) (replace A1 with your first data cell)
  • Press Enter

Note: LOG() gives base-10 logarithm. Use LN() for natural log, or LOG(A1, base) for custom base.

Step 2: Copy the Formula

Method 1: Fill Handle (Drag)

  • Click the cell with your formula
  • Look for the small blue square at the bottom-right corner (fill handle)
  • Drag it across the row to copy horizontally
  • Then select the entire row of formulas and drag down to copy vertically

Method 2: Copy-Paste

  • Select the cell with your formula
  • Ctrl+C (or Cmd+C on Mac) to copy
  • Select the entire range where you want the log values
  • Ctrl+V (or Cmd+V) to paste

Method 3: Auto-fill with Double-click

  • Enter your formula in the first cell
  • Click the cell to select it
  • Double-click the fill handle (blue square) - this auto-fills down to match adjacent data

Pro Tips

For entire table at once:

  1. Select the entire destination range first
  2. Type =LOG(A1:B10) (adjust range as needed)
  3. Press Ctrl+Shift+Enter for array formula

Handle errors gracefully: Use =IF(A1>0, LOG(A1), "") to avoid errors with zero/negative values

The formulas will automatically reference the correct cells as you copy them (A1 becomes A2, B1, etc.).