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Functions are built-in specialized algorithms.
They can apply to an individual cell or to a range of cells, on the same spreadsheet,
or on another worksheet in the same workbook,
or on another worksheet in another workbook.

Functions are built-in specialized algorithms

Excel formulas: The most popular functions and tools, with examples

use the formula example for function demonstrations too

Formula

A formula starts with =, and is followed by mathematical operators and cell addresses

For example:

=D4+D5+D6+D7
means
equalsD4plusD5plusD6plusD7

Function

A function is a predefined formula that performs a mathematical operation on a group of cells

For example:

=SUM(D4:D7)
means equalsadd together the contents of cells D4 through D7
or equalsD4+D5+D6+D7

Functions have three parts

1. the = sign which tells Excel that a formula or function follows
2. the function name such as SUM for addition or AVERAGE for determining the average of a series of numbers
3. the cells on which the particular function operates must be enclosed by parentheses, and it contains the cell references so that the function knows which cells to calculate
4. this naming logic is very similar to what we have seen before where a function is applied to a range of cells

options for entering formulas into the spreadsheet

1. in the formula bar
2. directly into the cell
3. use the name box
4. OR use the Function Wizard to help you create the desired results

The same is true in Excel for Mac

Examples of functions

• =SUM(D4,I48,V65)
• =AVERAGE(D1:D18)

Functions can perform mathematical operations on a group of cells

=SUM(D4:D7)
means
equalsadd togetherthe contents of cells D4 through D7
or equalsD4+D5+D6+D7

For argument of function:

if individual cells, use commas

=SUM(D2,D3,D5)
means
equalsaddD2 and D3 and D5

if a range of cells, use a colon

= SUM(F2:F4,F7:F17)
means
equalsaddF2 through F4 and F7 through F17together

Tools to help decide on the function to use

Insert Function or fx function wizard or hit = and then the function draw down box. The Function dialog box has Function Category and Function Name plus a short explanation of what the function does.

The same is true in Excel for Mac

Common Functions include:

• SUM
• AVERAGE and MEDIAN
• COUNT, COUNTA, and COUNTIF
• MAX and MIN
• NOW()
• ROUND
• VLOOKUP and XLOOKUP

Microsoft offers online help for all classes of functions available in MSExcel.

Links to help on all available functions

Functions - alphabetically

Functions by category

Create Custom Functions in Excel 2007+

15 October lecture | preps | spreadsheets | formulas | functions