MS Excel Functions
Microsoft Excel is a powerful spreadsheet software that allows users to perform a wide range of calculations and data analysis tasks. There are many built-in functions in Excel that you can use to perform various types of calculations, such as:
Generally used Functions in Excel
- Mathematical Functions: SUM, AVERAGE, MIN, MAX, ROUND, etc.
- Statistical Functions: COUNT, STDEV, VAR, CORREL, etc.
- Text Functions: CONCATENATE, LEFT, RIGHT, LOWER, UPPER, etc.
- Date and Time Functions: NOW, TODAY, DATE, YEAR, MONTH, DAY, etc.
- Lookup and Reference Functions: VLOOKUP, HLOOKUP, INDEX, MATCH, etc.
- Logical Functions: IF, AND, OR, NOT, etc.
- Financial Functions: PV, FV, PMT, NPV, IRR, etc.
- Information Functions: ISNUMBER, ISTEXT, ISBLANK, etc.
These functions can be used in combination with other formulas and functions to create complex calculations. To use a function in Excel, you can either type it directly into a cell or use the “Formulas” tab in the ribbon to select a function and insert it into a cell.
Other Functions with Formula and Uses
| Functions | Formula | Use of Function in Excel |
| SUM | =SUM(A1+B1) | The SUM function in Microsoft Excel is used to add up a range of cells. It can be used in a single cell, or as part of a larger formula. The syntax for the SUM function is as follows: =SUM(A1:A5) – The result of the formula would be the sum of the values in cells A1 to A5. |
FAQ’s about Microsoft Excel functions
What is the difference between a function and a formula in Excel?
A function is a pre-written formula that performs a specific calculation, such as summing a range of cells or calculating the average of a range of cells. A formula, on the other hand, is a custom calculation that you can create using functions, operators, and cell references.
How do I use a function in Excel?
You can use a function in Excel by typing it into a cell and specifying the required arguments. You can also select a function from the “Formulas” tab in the ribbon and insert it into a cell.
What is the syntax for a function in Excel?
The syntax for a function in Excel consists of the function name, followed by an opening parenthesis, the required arguments separated by commas, and a closing parenthesis. For example, the syntax for the SUM function is: =SUM(number1, [number2], …).
How do I reference a cell in a formula or function?
You can reference a cell in a formula or function by specifying its cell address, such as A1 or B2. You can also use relative cell references, which adjust based on the position of the formula, or absolute cell references, which remain fixed.
What is the difference between absolute and relative cell references in Excel?
An absolute cell reference refers to a specific cell and does not change when the formula is copied or moved. Absolute cell references are identified by a dollar sign before the column letter and row number, such as $A$1. A relative cell reference adjusts based on the position of the formula and is the default type of cell reference in Excel.
How do I nest functions in Excel?
You can nest functions in Excel by using one function as an argument in another function. For example, you could use the SUM function to add up a range of cells, and then use the AVERAGE function to calculate the average of the sum. The syntax for nesting functions would be: =AVERAGE(SUM(A1:A5)).