Exploring Excel Functions

Where are the Functions?

In Excel, functions located under the Formula tab.

Finding the Right Functions 

• If you know the exact category for the formula you want to use, you can find them either from the Function Library group in the Formulas tab or select a category from the Insert Function box.
•  If you are not sure which category or what is the exact name of the formula you want to use, just type in a keyword in the Search for functions: box and click Go or press Enter. 
• Excel will show some recommended formulas in the Select a function: list.

Inserting Functions

The Insert Functions can be found from Formulas tab or to the left of the formula bar.

Some Useful and Simple Functions

Commonly used formula functions are Sum, Average, Max, Min, and Count.

Sum Functions

The SUM function, one of the math and trig functions, adds values. You can add individual values, cell references or ranges or a mix of all three.

For instance: 

1. =SUM(A2: A10) 
2. =SUM(A2:A10, C2:C10)

Average Functions

Returns the average (arithmetic mean) of the arguments. For example, if the range A1: A20 contains numbers, the formula =AVERAGE(A1: A20) returns the average of those numbers.

Syntax AVERAGE(number1, [number2], ...)

The AVERAGE function syntax has the following arguments:

• Number1 Required. The first number, cell reference, or range for which you want the average.
• Number2, ... Optional. Additional numbers, cell references or ranges for which you want the average, up to a maximum of 255.

Note: The AVERAGE function measures central tendency, which is the location of the center of a group of numbers in a statistical distribution. The three most common measures of central tendency are Max, Min, and Count. 

Max Function

Returns the largest value in a set of values.


Syntax MAX(number1, [number2], ...)

The MAX function syntax has the following arguments:

• Number1, number2, ... Number1 is required, subsequent numbers are optional. 1 to 255 numbers for which you want to find the maximum value.

Min Function

Returns the smallest number in a set of values.

Syntax MIN(number1, [number2], ...)

The MIN function syntax has the following arguments:

• Number1, number2, ... Number1 is optional, subsequent numbers are optional. 1 to 255 numbers for which you want to find the minimum value.

Count Functions

The COUNT function counts the number of cells that contain numbers and counts numbers within the list of arguments. Use the COUNT function to get the number of entries in a number field that is in a range or array of numbers.

Syntax COUNT(value1, [value2], ...)

The COUNT function syntax has the following arguments:

• value1 Required. The first item, cell reference, or range within which you want to count numbers.
• value2, ... Optional. Up to 255 additional items, cell references, or ranges within which you want to count numbers.

Note: The arguments can contain or refer to a variety of different types of data, but only numbers are counted.