Excel Lesson 5

Using Functions

Microsoft Office 2010

Introductory

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 Objectives

⚫ Identify the parts of a function.

⚫ Enter formulas with functions.
⚫ Use functions to solve mathematical
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problems.
⚫ Use functions to solve statistical problems.
⚫ Use functions to solve financial problems.

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 Objectives (continued)

⚫ Use logical functions to make decisions with

worksheet data.
⚫ Use functions to insert times and dates in a
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worksheet.
⚫ Use text functions to format and display cell
contents.

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 Vocabulary

⚫ argument ⚫ logical functions

⚫ date and time functions ⚫ mathematical functions
⚫ financial functions ⚫ statistical functions
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⚫ Formula AutoComplete ⚫ text functions

⚫ function ⚫ trigonometric functions

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 What Are Functions?

⚫ A function is a shorthand way to write an

equation that performs a calculation.
⚫ A formula with a function has three parts:
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– The equal sign identifies the cell contents as a

formula.
– The function name identifies the operation to be
performed.
– The argument is the value the function uses to
perform a calculation.
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 What Are Functions? (continued)

⚫ Parts of a function
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 Entering Formulas with Functions

⚫ To enter a formula with a function, you need

to do the following.
– Start the formula with an equal sign.
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– Select or enter the function you want to use.

– Select or enter the arguments.
– Enter the completed formula.
⚫ To open the Insert Function dialog box, click
the Insert Function button on the Formula
Bar.
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 Entering Formulas with Functions
(continued)

⚫ Insert Function dialog box

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 Entering Formulas with Functions
(continued)

⚫ You can also enter a formula with a function

directly in a cell by typing an equal sign, the
function name, and the argument.
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⚫ Formula AutoComplete helps you enter a

formula with a valid function name and
arguments.
– As you begin to type the function name, a list of
function names appears below the active cell.

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 Types of Functions

⚫ Mathematical functions and trigonometric

functions manipulate quantitative data in a
worksheet.
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⚫ Some mathematical operations, such as

addition and subtraction, do not require
functions.
⚫ Mathematical and trigonometric functions are
particularly useful when you need to
determine values such as logarithms,
factorials, and sines.
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 Types of Functions (continued)

⚫ Commonly used mathematical and trigonometric

functions
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 Types of Functions (continued)

⚫ Statistical functions are used to describe

quantities of data.
⚫ For example, statistical functions can
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determine:
– the average, standard deviation, or variance of a
range of data.
– the number of values in a range, the largest value
in a range, and the smallest value in a range.

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 Types of Functions (continued)

⚫ Commonly used statistical functions

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 Types of Functions (continued)

⚫ Financial functions are used to analyze

loans and investments.
⚫ Some commonly used financial functions are
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future value, present value, and payment.

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 Types of Functions (continued)

⚫ Commonly used financial functions

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 Types of Functions (continued)

⚫ Logical functions, such as the IF function,

display text or values if certain conditions exist.
– The first argument sets a condition for comparison,
called a logical test. The second argument determines
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the value if the logical test is true. The third argument

determines the value if the logical test is false.
⚫ For example, the formula
=IF(C4>60,“PASS”,“FAIL”) returns PASS if the
value in cell C4 is greater than 60; otherwise the
formula returns FAIL.
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 Types of Functions (continued)

⚫ Commonly used logical functions

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 Types of Functions (continued)

⚫ Date and Time functions can also be used

to insert dates and times in a worksheet.
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 Types of Functions (continued)

⚫ Text functions are used to format and

display cell contents.
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 Summary

In this lesson, you learned:

⚫ A function is a shorthand way to write an equation that
performs a calculation. A formula with a function has
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three parts: an equal sign, a function name, and for

most functions one argument, which acts as an
operand.
⚫ The best way to select a function is from the Insert
Function dialog box. The Function Arguments dialog
box provides a description of each argument you
enter for the function.
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 Summary (continued)

⚫ When you type a formula with a function directly in a

worksheet cell, Formula AutoComplete helps you enter
a formula with a valid function name and arguments.
⚫ Functions can be used to perform mathematical,
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statistical, financial, and logical operations. They can

also be used to insert and calculate dates and times and
to format text.

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