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Excel Lesson 10

This document discusses functions in Excel. It explains that a function performs calculations using predefined formulas and specific cell values. Common Excel functions include SUM, AVERAGE, COUNT, MAX, and MIN. Functions have a specific syntax that includes the equals sign, function name, and arguments within parentheses. Arguments can be individual cells or cell ranges and multiple arguments are separated by commas. The document provides examples of how to use the AutoSum feature or manually enter functions like SUM, AVERAGE, COUNT, MAX and MIN.

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Raymond Puno
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101 views16 pages

Excel Lesson 10

This document discusses functions in Excel. It explains that a function performs calculations using predefined formulas and specific cell values. Common Excel functions include SUM, AVERAGE, COUNT, MAX, and MIN. Functions have a specific syntax that includes the equals sign, function name, and arguments within parentheses. Arguments can be individual cells or cell ranges and multiple arguments are separated by commas. The document provides examples of how to use the AutoSum feature or manually enter functions like SUM, AVERAGE, COUNT, MAX and MIN.

Uploaded by

Raymond Puno
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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EXCEL – FUNCTIONS

INTRODUCTION
A function is a predefined formula that performs calculations using specific values
in a particular order. Excel includes many common functions that can be used to
quickly find the sum, average, count, maximum value, and minimum value for a
range of cells. In order to use functions correctly, you'll need to understand the
different parts of a function and how to create arguments to calculate values and
cell references.
THE PARTS OF A FUNCTION
In order to work correctly, a function must be written a specific way, which is called
the syntax. The basic syntax for a function is the equals sign (=), the function name
(SUM, for example), and one or more arguments. Arguments contain the
information you want to calculate. The function in the example below would add the
values of the cell range A1:A20.
WORKING WITH
ARGUMENTS
Arguments can refer to both individual cells and cell ranges and must be enclosed
within parentheses. You can include one argument or multiple arguments,
depending on the syntax required for the function.
For example, the function =AVERAGE(B1:B9) would calculate the average of the
values in the cell range B1:B9. This function contains only one argument.
Multiple arguments must be separated by a comma. For example, the function
=SUM(A1:A3, C1:C2, E1) will add the values of all of the cells in the three
arguments.
CREATING A FUNCTION
There are a variety of functions available in Excel. Here are some of the most
common functions you'll use:
SUM: This function adds all of the values of the cells in the argument.
AVERAGE: This function determines the average of the values included in the
argument. It calculates the sum of the cells and then divides that value by the number
of cells in the argument.
COUNT: This function counts the number of cells with numerical data in the
argument. This function is useful for quickly counting items in a cell range.
MAX: This function determines the highest cell value included in the argument.
MIN: This function determines the lowest cell value included in the argument.
TO CREATE A FUNCTION USING
THE AUTOSUM COMMAND:
The AutoSum command allows you to automatically insert the most common
functions into your formula, including SUM, AVERAGE, COUNT, MIN, and MAX.
In the example below, we'll use the SUM function to calculate the total cost for a list
of recently ordered items.
1. Select the cell that will contain the function. In our example, we'll select cell D13.
2. In the Editing group on the Home tab, click the arrow next to the AutoSum
command. Next, choose the desired function from the drop-down menu. In our
example, we'll select Sum.
3. Excel will place the function in the cell and automatically select a cell range for
the argument. In our example, cells D3:D12 were selected automatically; their
values will be added to calculate the total cost. If Excel selects the wrong cell range,
you can manually enter the desired cells into the argument.
4. Press Enter on your keyboard. The function will be calculated, and the result
will appear in the cell. In our example, the sum of D3:D12 is $765.29.
TO ENTER A FUNCTION
MANUALLY:
If you already know the function name, you can easily type it yourself. In the
example below (a tally of cookie sales), we'll use the AVERAGE function to
calculate the average number of units sold by each troop.
1. Select the cell that will contain the function. In our example, we'll select cell C10.
2. Type the equals sign (=), and enter the desired function name. You can also
select the desired function from the list of suggested functions that appears below
the cell as you type. In our example, we'll type =AVERAGE.
3. Enter the cell range for the argument inside parentheses. In our example, we'll
type (C3:C9). This formula will add the values of cells C3:C9, then divide that value
by the total number of values in the range.
4. Press Enter on your keyboard. The function will be calculated, and the result will
appear in the cell. In our example, the average number of units sold by each troop is
849.

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