Excel Beginners

Intro To Formulas: Step 3 To Mastering Spreadsheets

unleashing the power of spreadsheets

The Four Components Of A Formula - Functions

Overview

These are the building blocks for any automated work within Excel. The loose definition for automated we are using represents any set of steps which are saved through the use of a function. They will perform a predefined task based on a set of required inputs, and return an output that signifies the calculations or manipulations which were being asked for.

Using Functions

Functions can be the sole component of a formula, or they can be one part of a series of steps which a formula will complete before providing an output. If you know the name of a function, just by beginning to type its name into a cell will make it pop up in a list of functions matching the name you are typing. This will happen as long as you have an equal sign at the start of the cell, and are not currently in between quotation marks.

What is important to know is what the goal of each function you are using is. Each one performs a specific task, and while some functions share similar tasks, no two functions perform the exact same job in the same way. Starting slowly is the only way to become comfortable with a series of functions, and to eventually expand and learn more of them.

To begin understanding functions users should look at the Formulas tab within Excel, and scan through the categories of functions that there are. If we could suggest an order for a top five categories which contain useful or essential functions it would be as follows:

1. Statistical

2. Math & Trig

3. Logical

4. Text

5. Date & Time

This based on the number of functions within each category that we would deem to be essential tools for all users. That being said, it is much more precise for us to list out and explain some of these essential functions rather than to just give out some categories.

The following section of this guide will explain and show examples of how to use the various essential functions from the top five categories.