To get started, see 101 Key Excel functions. The AVERAGE function, as you would expect, returns the average of given references: =AVERAGE(1,2,3) // returns 2Īnd the MIN and MAX functions return minimum and maximum values, respectively: =MIN(1,2,3) // returns 1Įxcel contains hundreds of specific functions. For example, you probably know the SUM function already, which returns the sum of given references: =SUM(1,2,3) // returns 6 Technically, a formula is any expression that begins with an equals sign (=).Ī function, on the other hand, is a formula with a special name and purpose. In most cases, functions have names that reflect their intended use. They are closely related, but not exactly the same. Working in Excel, you will hear the words "formula" and "function" used frequently, sometimes interchangeably. Video: 20 tips for entering formulas What is a function? If you want to cancel, and leave the formula unchanged, click the Escape key. No matter which option you use, press Enter to confirm changes when done. Select the cell, press F2, edit directly.Select the cell, edit in the formula bar.Note references are color-coded:Īll formulas in Excel must begin with an equals sign (=). Instead of typing cell references, you can point and click, as seen below. Tip: you can toggle between relative and absolute syntax with the F4 key. By storing the value in A1 in one place, and referring to A1 with an absolute reference, the value can be changed at any time and all associated formulas will update instantly. This simple example also shows why it doesn't make sense to hardcode values into a formula. Below the value in A1 has changed from 10 to 12: Now we can easily change the value in A1, and all three formulas recalculate. Notice the reference to D1 updates when the formula is copied, but the reference to A1 never changes. Here are the final formulas in E1, E2, and E3: =D1*$A$1 // formula in E1 By using an absolute reference for A1, we "lock" that reference so it won't change when the formula is copied to E2 and E3: A cell reference that won't change when copied is called an absolute reference. To make a reference absolute, use the dollar symbol ($): =A1 // relative referenceįor example, in the screen below, we want to multiply each value in column D by 10, which is entered in A1. Relative references are extremely useful, but there are times when you don't want a cell reference to change. That's why, when the formula is copied down to cell E2, it continues to work in the same way. Literally, this means "cell 3 columns left "+ "cell 2 columns left" + "cell 1 column left". The formula in E1 above is: =B1+C1+D1 // formula in E1 This means the reference is relative to the cell it lives in. The cell references above are called relative references. This means you don't need to enter the same basic formula again and again. In the screen below, the formula in E1 has been copied to the clipboard with Control + C:īelow: formula pasted to cell E2 with Control + V. The beauty of cell references is that they automatically update when a formula is copied to a new location. In this case, you could provide the missing value in B4, or "catch" the error with the IFERROR function and display a more friendly message (or nothing at all). There are different ways of handling errors. The formula returns a correct result in D2 and D3, but returns a #DIV/0! error in D4, because B4 is empty: Below a formula is used to calculate percent change. All formulas return a resultĪll formulas in Excel return a result, even when the result is an error. Notice because we are using cell references for A1, A2, and A3, these values can be changed at any time and C1 will still show an accurate result. In the screen below, C1 contains the following formula: =A1+A2+A3 // returns 9 Instead, use cell references so values can be changed at any time. Generally, this is considered bad form, because it hides information and makes it harder to maintain a spreadsheet. That means results won't change unless you edit the formula again and change a value manually. In the examples above, values are "hardcoded". Note: all formulas in Excel must begin with an equals sign (=). What is a formula?Ī formula in Excel is an expression that returns a specific result. This article introduces the basic concepts you need to know to be proficient with formulas in Excel. They drive almost everything interesting and useful you will ever do in a spreadsheet. Formulas and functions are the bread and butter of Excel.
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