Aastha Shaw / Updated: March 25, 2025

How To Verify Email Addresses In Google Sheets

Every marketer, sales rep, and business owner understands the value of accurate data.

If you manage email lists in Google Sheets, finding the right way to validate email addresses can be challenging…

Manual verification is time-consuming and prone to errors.
Using multiple tools can be frustrating, costly, and inefficient.

So, what’s the best solution?

To help you improve the email validation process, we'll go through the top 4 ways to directly validate email addresses in Google Sheets. Let's dive right in!

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● 4 Ways To Check Email Address In Google Sheets

- ISEMAIL Google Sheets Data Validation Formula
- People Chips For Email Validation on Google Sheets
- Regex Google Sheets Data Validation Formula
- Google Sheets Email Verification Add-on for Best Results

● Benefits of Using Clearout For Google Sheets Email Validation
● Which Is The Best Way To Validate Emails On Google Sheets

4 Ways To Check Email Address In Google Sheets

1. ISEMAIL Google Sheets Data Validation Formula

The `ISEMAIL` function in Google Sheets is a built-in function that allows you to check whether a given text string represents a valid email address. Instead of scanning the entire document manually, using this function can be helpful.

How it works?

The function takes in the text input to determine if it contains an e-mail address or not. It checks if a value is a valid email address against certain 2-letter country or region codes and the following top-level domains:

.com
.org
.net
.edu
.gov
.info

Sometimes a valid email might be flagged as "False," in case the domain is not listed by Google.

Steps to use ISEMAIL Google Sheets data validation syntax

Open the Google Sheet where you want to perform email address validation.
Choose the cell or range of cells where you want to validate email addresses. You can click on a single cell or click and drag to select a range.
Click on the "Data" menu at the top of the Google Sheets window, and then select "Data validation" from the dropdown menu.
In the "Data validation" dialog box that appears, you will see various options:
- Cell Range: The selected cell or range will be displayed here.
- Criteria: Choose "Custom formula is" from the dropdown menu.
- Value: In the field next to "Custom formula is," enter the ISEMAIL formula(=ISEMAIL(D3)).
validate Email On GoogleSheet
Click the "Save" button to save your data validation settings. And you should be able to see which emails are in invalid format.

How effective is it?

The ISEMAIL checks for common patterns of valid email addresses, such as the presence of "@" and a top-level domain, but it may not catch all edge cases or verify the existence of the email address.

2. People Chips For Email Validation on Google Sheets

People chip is one of the new features of Google Doc smart chips introduced in November 2021.

The main functionality is to let users easily add contact information to a spreadsheet, so users can quickly view more information just by hovering their mouse over the cell. It can also be used as a free email validation tool.

How it works?

People Chips validate email addresses by analyzing specific text data and marking valid and invalid addresses. You can convert a single cell or range of cells with valid email formats into people chips based on your requirements.

Steps to use People Chips for Google Sheets email validation

First, make a duplicate of the column you want to convert into a people chip.
Select the entire duplicated column, go to “Insert”, click on “Smart Chips” and choose“Convert to People chip”.
This will cause some cells to have a circled background, which will display more information when you hover over them.
To compare the results, type the formula =NOT(A2=B2) into the cell in the third column. If the result of this formula is False, it means no valid people chips were found for that email. In this case, both columns should remain the same, making it easy to filter out invalid results.
To filter the columns, select all the columns you want to filter and go to the "Data" tab. Click on "Create a filter". Now you should be able to sort the data easily and remove invalid results.

How effective is it?

People Chips automate the extraction and validation process, making it convenient. However, the results depend on the accuracy of its email address extraction algorithm, the domains that are being checked by default, and the quality of the input data, making the results less reliable.

3. Regex Google Sheets Data Validation Formula

A regex expression is used to validate the syntax of an email address.

Using regular expressions (regex) for email validation in Google Sheets involves creating a custom data validation rule that uses a regex pattern to check if a cell's content matches the pattern of a valid email address.

How it works?

You define a regex pattern that matches valid email addresses, considering the common characteristics of email addresses like the "@" symbol, domain, and top-level domain. Then, you set up data validation with a custom formula that checks if the cell content matches the regex pattern.

You can create your customer formula for regex validation according to your requirements. Here’s an example regex validation formula for Google Sheets email validation.

=REGEXMATCH(cell, "^[A-Za-z0-9._%+-]+@[A-Za-z0-9.-]+\.[A-Za-z]{2,4}$")

In the above expression, “cell” is the reference to the cell containing the email to be validated. It should be replaced with the first cell number in the range you want to validate.

‍This formula checks if the email contains a valid top-level domain such as .com, .net, etc. In the case of Gmail, it makes sure it is gmail.com instead of just gmai. It will help you eliminate incorrect email addresses that might have been recorded due to human error.

Steps to use Regex for Google Sheets email validation

Select the cell or the range of cells that you want to validate.
Click on the "Data" menu at the top of the Google Sheets window, and then select "Data validation" from the dropdown menu.
In the "Data validation" dialog box that appears, you will see various options:
- Cell Range: The selected cell or range will be displayed here.
- Criteria: Choose "Custom formula is" from the dropdown menu.
- Value: In the field next to "Custom formula is," enter the custom regex formula for email validation.
Click the "Save" button to save your data validation settings.
Now, if someone enters data in the selected cell or range, the custom regex formula will check if it's a valid email address based on the regex pattern. If it's valid, the input will be accepted. If it's not valid, the custom error message (if configured) will be displayed..

How effective is it?

Using regex for email validation can be effective if you create an accurate and robust regex pattern. It offers more control and flexibility than the built-in ISEMAIL function, allowing you to define specific validation criteria.

However, creating the correct regex pattern can be complex, and improper patterns may lead to false positives or negatives.

4. Google Sheets Email Verification Add-on for Best Results

Google Sheets offers you the ability to add more functionalities to your sheets using add-ons.

One of the most useful and downloaded add-ons for email verification is the “Clearout Email Verification Add-on For Google Sheets.”

It not only validates the syntax but does real-time email verification to check if the email address exists and is available to receive emails. It also tells if it is a disposable email, role-based, along with the risk related to sending email to that email address.

How it works?

The Clearout Google Sheets add-on integrates with your Clearout account(you need to create one). You need to install the add-on, authenticate with your Clearout credentials, and then select the range of cells containing email addresses.

The add-on sends these addresses to Clearout's servers for verification, which are run through 20+ validation & verification checks, and then the results (valid, invalid, etc.) are displayed in your Google Sheets.

Steps to use Clearout Add-on for Google Sheets email validation

Open Google Sheets and install the add-on by searching for Clearout email verification for Google Sheets.
After installing and granting access, a pop-up will appear on the right side of your sheet.
Now to link your Clearout account with Google Sheets, go to “API Token” at the bottom of the pop-up to link your account.
A new window will open with a link ‘'API token here'’. Click on the link and you will be redirected to your Clearout account (sign in or sign up if you don’t have one already).
To generate a new token click on '’App'’, then on “Create App” and select “Server”.
Give a suitable name to the token and click on “Create”.
Copy the newly generated API token, paste it into the Clearout window on Google Sheets, and click on “save”
Once the linking procedure is completed, you can start with email verification. Also, make sure that
- Before starting the verification ensure that the email addresses have a header that says either - email, emails, or email addresses.
- Select how you would like to verify the email addresses in your sheet
- Once done the sheet will be updated with results, and the credit charges will be deducted.
You can also choose how frequently you want your emails on the sheets validated without you having to do it manually everytime.

👉 Watch this video for detailed guidance on installing and using the add-on.

Get the Clearout add on now!

How effective is it?

Clearout is an AI Email Verifier, loved by users world wide for its reliable verification results with 99% accuracy. It performs 20+ real-time checks for syntax validation, domain existence, mailbox existence, and more to determine the accuracy of an email address.

You get features to make your email campaign perform even better with Guaranteed Deliverables (emails that are highly likely to get delivered) and AI insights (tells you more about each validated email and how you should approach it).

Benefits of Using Clearout For Google Sheets Email Validation

Here’s why you need Clearout Google Sheets Email Validation add on:

Saves time by automating the validation process.
Eliminates manual work—no need to switch between multiple tools or deal with complex imports/exports
Keeps your database clean and accurate by removing duplicates and detecting gibberish emails.
Identifies risky emails, including spam traps, disposable addresses, and catch-all domains.
Provides AI-powered insights with intelligent recommendations beyond just valid/invalid status.
Improves email deliverability with advanced validation features like greylisting verification and guaranteed deliverables.
Boosts outreach success by ensuring your emails reach real recipients.
Strengthens sender reputation—verified emails lead to better inbox placement, higher engagement, and a stronger ROI.

Which Is The Best Way To Validate Emails On Google Sheets?

The best way to validate email addresses in Google Sheets depends on your needs and requirements.

If you need to validate a large number of email addresses or you need a more accurate validation method, your best bet would be using the Clearout Google Sheets Email Verification Add-on.

However, if you're not into thorough email outreach, have a small list, or email addresses on leads is not a primary data point, then the ISEMAIL function or People Chips may be sufficient.

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FAQs: Google Sheet Email Validation

1. Can I validate emails for free in Google Sheets?

Yes, using built-in formulas like ISEMAIL and Regex, you can perform basic validation for free. However, for real-time and accurate validation, a tool like Clearout is recommended.

2. Does Google Sheets have a built-in email validation tool?

No, but it offers formulas and add-ons that can help validate email addresses.

3. Can I verify bulk emails in Google Sheets?

Yes, tools like Clearout’s Google Sheets add-on allow bulk email verification efficiently.

4. How do I remove invalid emails from my sheet?

Use filtering options in Google Sheets to separate and remove invalid emails based on validation results.

5. How can I create a custom error message for invalid emails in Google Sheets?

To display a custom error message when invalid email addresses are entered:

Select the range where you want to apply data validation.
Go to Data > Data validation.
Set the criteria to Custom formula and enter your validation formula (e.g., =ISEMAIL(A1)).
Check the box for Show validation help text and enter your custom error message.
Click Save. Now, if an invalid email is entered, your custom message will appear.

6. Can I use Google Apps Script to validate emails in Google Sheets?

Yes, you can use Google Apps Script to create custom email validation functions in Google Sheets. This approach allows for more advanced validation techniques, such as checking domain existence or integrating with external email validation APIs.

However, it requires programming knowledge and understanding of Google Apps Script.

7. What are the limitations of using the ISEMAIL function for email validation?

The ISEMAIL function checks if an email address is correctly formatted but doesn't verify:

If the domain exists.
If the email address is active or receives emails. For deeper validation, consider using specialized email verification tools.

8. How does Clearout's AI Verdict column help assess email quality in verification results?

Clearout’s AI Verdict Column helps assess email quality and tells you how risky the email is, it is safe to send, whether it is a catch-all and more. These insights further help in segmenting lists better and planning campaigns accordingly.

9. Can I use Clearout to block free email providers like Gmail or Yahoo during validation?

Yes. Clearout allows you to filter out free email providers like Gmail, Yahoo, and Outlook during validation. You can customize the settings to detect and separate free emails from business or professional addresses, helping you focus on high-value prospects.

10. Can Clearout detect disposable or temporary email addresses in real-time?

Yes. Clearout detects disposable or temporary email addresses in real-time while you validate emails on google sheets. It cross-checks emails against a vast database of known temporary email providers, ensuring that only genuine emails make it to your list.

11. How often should I re-verify my email list?

You should re-verify email lists every 60-90 days or before any major campaign.

Whereas, infrequent senders (sending emails every 3 months or more) should verify before every campaign to avoid any unexpected pitfall.

Read more: How often to verify email lists

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How To Verify Email Addresses In Google Sheets

Table of Contents

4 Ways To Check Email Address In Google Sheets

1. ISEMAIL Google Sheets Data Validation Formula

How it works?

Steps to use ISEMAIL Google Sheets data validation syntax

How effective is it?

2. People Chips For Email Validation on Google Sheets

How it works?

Steps to use People Chips for Google Sheets email validation

How effective is it?

3. Regex Google Sheets Data Validation Formula

How it works?

Steps to use Regex for Google Sheets email validation

How effective is it?

4. Google Sheets Email Verification Add-on for Best Results

How it works?

Steps to use Clearout Add-on for Google Sheets email validation

How effective is it?

Benefits of Using Clearout For Google Sheets Email Validation

Which Is The Best Way To Validate Emails On Google Sheets?

Start Validating Emails With Clearout

FAQs: Google Sheet Email Validation

1. Can I validate emails for free in Google Sheets?

2. Does Google Sheets have a built-in email validation tool?

3. Can I verify bulk emails in Google Sheets?

4. How do I remove invalid emails from my sheet?

5. How can I create a custom error message for invalid emails in Google Sheets?

6. Can I use Google Apps Script to validate emails in Google Sheets?

7. What are the limitations of using the ISEMAIL function for email validation?

8. How does Clearout's AI Verdict column help assess email quality in verification results?

9. Can I use Clearout to block free email providers like Gmail or Yahoo during validation?

10. Can Clearout detect disposable or temporary email addresses in real-time?

11. How often should I re-verify my email list?

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