SS1: FIRST TOPIC

INSERTING FORMULAS AND USING FUNCTION IN EXCEL

Formulas are equations that perform calculations on values in your worksheet. Depending on how you build a formula in Excel will determine if the answer to your formula automatically updates, as changes are made. A formula starts with an equal sign (=) and can contain any or all of the following:

Function: A function is a prewritten formula that takes a value or values, performs an operation, and returns a value or values. Use functions to simplify and shorten formulas on a worksheet, especially those that perform lengthy or complex calculations.

A Function is generally comprised of two components:

     1) A function name

                  a) The name of a function indicates the type of math Excel will perform.

    2) An argument a) An ―argument‖ is the values that a function uses to perform operations or calculations. The type of argument a function uses is specific to the function. Common arguments that are used within functions include numbers, text, cell references, and names

Operator: A sign or symbol that specifies the type of calculation to perform within an expression. There are mathematical, comparison, logical, and reference operators

Constant: A value that is not calculated and, therefore, does not change. For example, the number 210, and the text "Quarterly Earnings" are constants

Calculation operators and precedence

Operators specify the type of calculation that you want to perform on the elements of a formula. There is a default order in which calculations occur, but you can change this order by using parentheses.

Types of operators

There are four different types of calculation operators: arithmetic, comparison, text concatenation, and reference.

Arithmetic operators

To perform basic mathematical operations such as addition, subtraction, or multiplication; combine numbers; and produce numeric results, use the following arithmetic operators

Comparison operators

You can compare two values with the following operators. When two values are compared by using these operators, the result is a logical value either TRUE or FALSE

Text concatenation operator
Use the ampersand (&) to join, or concatenate, one or more text strings to produce a single piece of text.

Reference operators

Combine ranges of cells for calculations with the following operators.

Create a function manually:

1) Click the cell in which you want to enter the formula.

2) Type =  (an equal sign).

3) Type the function name (function names are not case sensitive, they are spelling sensitive: ex. - SUM, AVERAGE, MAX).

4) Type  (  (an open parenthesis).

5) Type the argument.

      a) Remember to use a colon to included cells that are adjacent to each other; use a comma to   include nonadjacent cells.

6) Type  )  (a closing parenthesis).

7) Press ENTER.

You can also sum numbers by using the AutoSum button, found on the Home tab, in the Editing group

One way to use the AutoSum button:

1) Select the cell to contain the formula.

2) Click the AutoSum button.

          a) If Excel finds numbers above the selected cell, it will assume a sum above

          b) If Excel does not find numbers above the selected cell, it will assume a sum left.

If the cells to be summed up are missing values:

1) Select all the cells to be summed

2) Click the AutoSum button

          a) As numbers are filled into the empty cells, the formula will update to include those figures.