1. Overview

To replace any function in all formulas instantly, use the Tools > Convert Function in Formulas command.

You can replace a function with any other function or expression, reuse some or all of the original parameters in any order, embed them in other expressions, mix them with cell references, or combine them with constants.

2. Specifying the Function Pattern

In the first field, specify how the function appears in formulas. Replace actual parameters with letters a…z. In real formulas, these parameters may be any expressions or nested functions.

Examples:

• VLOOKUP(a, b, c, d, e, f)
• TRIM(a)
• IF(a, b, c)
• MATCH(a, b, c)

3. Specifying the Replacement Expression

In the second field, enter the expression that will replace the function. Examples:

• MY_VLOOKUP(abs(a) + 1, b, b100:b1000, e, d, 2) + 1
• TRIM(a & " of" & d10)
• IF(a, b, IF(c < b, b, c)) * 2
• MATCH(a, b, 0, 1, 1)

After clicking OK, all matching formulas are updated. You can choose whether changes apply to:

• the current selection,
• the entire worksheet,
• or all worksheets in the workbook.

If the replacement expression contains new cell references and you want them updated relative to each target cell (as when filling ranges), enable Update relative cell references.

Updating is fast — millions of formulas can be modified instantly. GS-Calc displays how many formulas were changed.

4. Converting Excel XMATCH / XLOOKUP

You can also use this feature to convert Excel formulas, for example when opening an Excel worksheet containing XMATCH or XLOOKUP in older Excel versions.

Replacing XMATCH(a, b, c, d)

• Vertical binary search (COLS(b)=1):

  MATCH(a, b, c, IF((d)=2, 8, IF((f)=-2, 16, IF((c)=-1, 512, 0))))

• Classic linear search returning last match:

  MATCH(a, b, c, IF((c)=-1, 512, 0))

• Classic linear search:

  MATCH(a, b, c)

Replacing XLOOKUP(a, b, c, d, e, f)

• Vertical binary search (COLS(b)=1):

  INDEX(c, MATCH(a, b, e, IF((f)=2, 8, IF((f)=-1, 512, 256))), )

5. Notes on GS-Calc Search Functions

Note: GS-Calc’s match() and vlookup() functions offer more parameters and significantly better performance than Excel’s equivalents.

Even if a range is not sorted, you can still perform fast binary searching by specifying SEARCH::AutoSort (or 1024) in the search mode. GS-Calc sorts internally during the first update and maintains sorting indices automatically. This can result in thousands‑fold speed improvements.

You can also specify which matching occurrence should be returned (first, last, or any specific index).

6. Conversion Scripts

To simplify multiple conversions, use Tools > Function Conversion Scripts.

Scripts are named sequences of conversion rules. You can create any number of scripts, each containing any number of conversion definitions.