What is an Excel formula and what is it for?

If you have ever worked with spreadsheets on a computer, then you can say with great confidence that you opened and edited them in the famous Microsoft Excel program. And this is not surprising, since this application is the second most common in the segment of standard office utilities.

excel formula
Unfortunately, the level of knowledge of users is often offensively low, which often leads to various unpleasant consequences or complete inability to perform elementary actions. In particular, do you know what an Excel formula is? If not, then our article is written specifically for you!

So, formulas in this application are called special text commands that allow users to manage very complex mathematical calculations in a simple and convenient way for them. For example, using their capabilities, you can create your own functions. In order not to be unfounded, here is the Excel formula written as "= SUM (B1: B64)."

formulas in excel tables
Do not confuse the β€œ:” sign with division, as in this case it means only a range. If decrypted, this expression gives the command to sum the values ​​in the cells, the range of which is from B1 to B64.

The possibilities of the formulas are very wide. Take a situation where you need to duplicate the automatic filling of a certain range of cells. Of course, for this you can use the tedious manual calculation (we do not recommend doing this!), But why then do you even work in a spreadsheet? To do this, try the following: open a new table and enter any number in the first cell (A1). Suppose your own Excel formula should automatically double the value in each subsequent cell.

Then left-click on cell A2, and then put the cursor in the input line of formulas. We enter the β€œ=” sign, after which we write β€œA1 * 2” (as a result, β€œ= A1 * 2” will turn out). Click on β€œEnter”, after which the number β€œ2” appears immediately in the second column. But do you want the Excel formula to spread to other cells? Do not worry, it is even easier to do.

excel formula bar
Left-clicking on cell A2, pick up its lower right corner with the mouse, drag it along the range of cells that you need. Now you can not worry about recounts: all conversions will be performed by the program in automatic mode. How do I know if formulas in Excel spreadsheets are correctly defined? Just select the cell you are interested in with the left button, and then look at the input line: if something like β€œA8 * 2” is displayed there, then everything is in order.

You don’t have to talk long about how useful such functionality is for those who are constantly forced to work with electronic documents! You will be completely relieved of the need for tedious and constant work with the "Calculator", the execution time of even complex work operations will decrease many times. In addition, the line of formulas in Excel will certainly greatly facilitate the life of students, as they quickly and effortlessly calculate almost any laboratory work.

In a word, having learned to work correctly with the program, you will greatly simplify your life by increasing your efficiency.


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