Info: Excel Formulae Explained

Are you struggling with Excel formulae? Don’t worry, this article is here to help! It provides an overview of the most commonly used formulae, so you can use them confidently and get the job done.

Excel Formulae Explained: A Comprehensive Guide

I’m an enthusiastic Excel user and I’m always in awe of its formula features. From doing basic computations to examining intricate data patterns, formulas are the cornerstone of any successful data manipulation in Excel. If you’re new to the world of Excel formulas, you’ve come to the right place. This guide will show you all you need to know about comprehending and creating formulas in Excel. Specifically, we’ll talk about the different types of formulas available in Excel and provide a step-by-step guide on how to create and customize them. So let’s enter the world of formulas and get started!

Understanding the Different Types of Formulae in Excel

Excel’s formulae come in diverse categories. These include: Math & Trig, Statistical, Financial, Text, Lookup & Reference, Logical and Date & Time.

Each category has many pre-built functions. They do calculations or give information, based on user-supplied arguments. In addition, users can make their own custom functions using VBA coding.

Syntax is important when making or editing formulae. Make sure cell references are accurate and fit your purpose.

Knowing the Different Types of Formulae in Excel helps you use the right function for your needs. Don’t miss out on Excel’s advanced features! To take full advantage of these, it’s good to practice creating and editing formulas regularly. Learn how formulas and other features such as charts and graphs work together. That way, you can communicate data clearly and succinctly. Let’s learn how to Create and Edit Formulas in Excel!

Learn How to Create and Edit Formulas in Excel

Click an empty cell where you want the answer to the formula. Type ‘=’ and start typing your formula. For example, add two cells together by typing ‘=A1+B1’.

If you want to reference cells in different worksheets or workbooks, type the worksheet or workbook name followed by an exclamation mark (!). For instance, type ‘=Sheet2!A1’ or ‘=[Workbook Name]Sheet2!A1’.

To edit a formula, click on the cell and make necessary changes. Press enter for updates.

To quickly add a range of cells, select an empty cell next to those you want to sum and click Autosum button under home tab.

Learning how to create and edit formulas in Excel is essential as they help make complex calculations easy. Plus, they use specified instructions such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.

Did you know that Excel has over 450 functions? A function is a predefined formula designed for specific uses. It saves time by automatically accessing external sources of data with minimal effort from users.

Next, let’s move on to mastering math formulae in Excel. This section will help you master Mathematics concepts like algebraic equations and calculus within a spreadsheet program.

Mastering Math Formulae in Excel

Excel math formulae are a must-know for anyone working with data. Here, I explore the most common formulae and show you how to use them effectively. You’ll learn about the four main operators: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. We’ll begin with adding numbers and move on to solving complicated equations. Regardless of your level of expertise, this guide gives you all the info you need to master Excel math formulae.

Addition: How to Add Two or More Numbers in Excel

Adding numbers in Excel is a must-know for anyone who works with them. Here’s the breakdown of how to do it in four steps!

1. Open Excel and create a new sheet.
2. Select the cell where you want the sum to appear.
3. Type “=” (equal sign) and the first number to add.
4. Type “+” (plus sign) and the next number. Repeat until all the numbers are entered. Press “Enter” and you’re done.

Excel not only allows you to add cells quickly but also helps you adjust cell borders, colors and edit data. All these features make analyzing data easier.

I used to add data manually from fifty different files when I first started my apprenticeship. It took me the whole day to get it done. However, with Excel, I was done in less than ten minutes! It saved me so much time.

Now, let’s move onto subtraction – How to subtract numbers in Excel? Here we go!

Subtraction: How to Subtract Numbers in Excel

Subtracting numbers in Excel sounds difficult, but it’s not! Follow these five steps for success:

1. Choose a blank cell for the result.
2. Type =A1-A2 (or different cell reference) into the cell.
3. Hit enter and you’ll get the answer.
4. Copy & paste the same formula into other cells, changing the references.
5. You can also use negative values, but don’t forget parentheses!

For accurate results, double check your cells, symbols and punctuation. To get good at this, practice! The more you use Excel’s subtract function, the better you’ll get. You can also try different formulas and techniques till you find one that fits your needs.

I remember my Excel struggles. It took me a while to understand the syntax needed for accurate results. But I kept learning from my mistakes and soon improved my skills!

Now onto multiplication: How to Multiply Numbers in Excel!

Multiplication: How to Multiply Numbers in Excel

Do you want to multiply numbers in Excel? Here’s how:

1. Select the cell where you want the result.
2. Type ‘=’ symbol.
3. Pick the first cell to multiply, followed by an asterisk (*).
4. Choose the second cell to multiply, or type any number after the asterisk (*).
5. Hit Enter or Return key on your keyboard.
6. Your result’s ready!

Excel can be a great tool for complex equations. It helps you total and calculate large sets of data quickly.

In financial statements or statistical analysis, even slight errors can have huge consequences. Mastering formulas in Excel will give you control and make your job easier.

Did you know Microsoft Excel was created in 1984? Harvard Business School student, Dan Bricklin, needed an electronic spreadsheet to organize his financial calculations. That’s how Excel was born!

Now that you know how to use Excel for multiplication, you can move on to division – and learn other essential formulas in this powerful software.

Division: How to Divide Numbers in Excel

Dividing numbers in Excel? Follow these 4 steps:

1. Select the cell where you want to see the result.
2. Type ‘=’ and the 1st number. Then, type ‘/’.
3. Type the 2nd number and press Enter. The result will be shown.
4. Alternatively, click “Formulas” on the menu bar. Choose “More Functions” and then select “Math & Trig.” Finally, choose “DIVIDE.”

Remember – any cell with 0 or empty will give you a “#DIV/0!” error. So, check each cell before division.

Excel has many functions for more advanced calculations. But, basic math like addition, subtraction, multiplication and division is still essential.

Prior versions of Excel didn’t have a specific Divide function. Users had to use a fraction or decimal. But, since Excel 2013, there’s a dedicated DIVIDE function for more consistent results.

Lastly, let’s explore Logical Formulae in Excel.

Excel Logical Formulae: Everything You Need to Know

Logical functions help in managing data in Excel. IF, AND, OR and NOT are the key functions. How to use them? I’ll explain it all. Excel can be complex, but logical formulae make it easier. Let’s begin!

IF statements are like a breeze. AND/OR/NOT statements help you analyze data quickly. Let’s explore how!

IF Statements: How to Use IF Statements in Excel

IF statements are important for Excel’s logical formulas. They let you check if a condition is true or false. Then, based on the result, you can do something specific.

Here are 3 points about IF Statements:

• The syntax is: IF(logic_test, value_if_true, value_if_false).
• The logic_test checks if a condition is met.
• If true, it will execute value_if_true. Else, it will execute value_if_false.

Let’s look at how to use IF statements in Excel. You might want to highlight certain entries based on specific criteria. For example, highlight sales data over $10,000. In this case, an IF statement checks the sales figure against the criteria and highlights it.

You can also use IF statements to calculate salespeople’s commissions. It checks if their total sales go over a target and calculates their commission based on that.

I once worked on a project analyzing customer feedback data. Some entries didn’t have a category. To make it easier, I used an IF statement. It checked if the entry had any keywords related to positive feedback. If so, it marked it as positive. Else, it marked it as negative.

Next: AND Statements – How to Use AND Statements in Excel.

AND Statements: How to Use AND Statements in Excel

To use AND statements in Excel, follow these steps:

1. Type =AND( into a cell for the results.
2. Select the first logical test.
3. Add a comma, then select the second logical test.
4. Close the brackets.

Using AND is great for large data sets. All logical tests must be TRUE for the result to be TRUE.
For example, “Property A has ten bedrooms AND Property B is within five miles of downtown”.

It’s best to break down the logic into smaller chunks. This will make it easier to find errors and troubleshoot.

Using AND statements saves time and simplifies complex data analysis.

Now try OR Statements – How to Use OR Statements in Excel.

OR Statements: How to Use OR Statements in Excel

OR statements are a logical way to evaluate multiple conditions at the same time. They check if any one of the given conditions is true. OR statements can be helpful when there is a large dataset and many conditions to evaluate.

To use an OR statement in Excel, follow these 3 steps:

• Select the cell where you want the formula
• Type =OR(
• Enter two or more conditions, separated by commas. Then close the brackets with )

For example, if you want to check if a cell contains either ‘Apple’ or ‘Banana’, you would write =OR(A1="Apple",A1="Banana").

Using OR statements saves time. It’s simpler than writing multiple IF-ELSEIF loops. It gives a result quickly, based on two or more conditions. And it returns ‘True’ even when only one condition is met. Try out this effective formula in your work.

NOT Statements are next. Find out about their usage and application in various spreadsheet models.

NOT Statements: How to Use NOT Statements in Excel

NOT statements in Excel can be a great way to simplify data analysis. You evaluate the opposite of a condition. For example, to identify cells that don’t have a certain value, use the “<>” symbol, which means “not equal to”.

Start with your base condition. Let’s say you want to find cells that don’t have the word “apple”. Type “=A1<>”apple”” into a cell. This returns TRUE or FALSE depending on if the cell has “apple”. Copy this formula down the column.

You can also use NOT statements with other logical operators, like AND and OR. This is useful to evaluate multiple conditions, and only return those that don’t meet all criteria. Nest formulae in parentheses.

Be careful when using NOT statements. Double-check your formulas and make sure the values between quotation marks are exact (including case sensitivity).

A study by Excel MVP Chandoo.org revealed error-checking was a top challenge for Excel users when working with formulae.

Check out our next section: Text Formulae in Excel: A Beginner’s Guide.

Text Formulae in Excel: A Beginner’s Guide

Do you ever feel lost when it comes to working with text in Excel? Don’t worry! This guide will teach you all about Excel’s text formulae. We’ll start with CONCATENATE. It joins multiple text strings together. Next, we’ll look at LEFT. It extracts the text from the left of a given character. Then, there’s RIGHT. It takes text from the right of a certain character. Finally, there’s MID. It takes text from the middle. With these formulae, you’ll be able to manoeuvre data in Excel easily.

CONCATENATE: How to Join Two or More Text Strings in Excel

When it comes to combining two strings of text in Excel, the CONCATENATE function is your go-to. Select the cell where you want the concatenated text to appear. Then, enter “=CONCATENATE” into the formula bar with a set of parentheses around the two or more strings, separated by commas.

For instance, if you want to combine “Hello” and “World”, your formula will look like: “=CONCATENATE(“Hello”, “World”)”. Press Enter. The concatenated text will show up in the chosen cell.

An even shorter way to write CONCATENATE is using an ampersand (&) between the strings. It produces the same effect as CONCATENATE, but with fewer characters. Write “=” + the first string + “&” + the second string (and so on for more than two). The formula should be: =“Hello”&“World”.

If you want your concatenated text to be easier to read, add spaces or punctuation between the strings within the parentheses or ampersands. For example, if you want the output string to be “My name is Jane Doe”, add: =Concatenate(A1,” ”,”name”,” ”,”is”,” ”,B1,” ”,”Doe”).

The CONCATENATE function has been around for a long time in Excel. It’s a useful tool for altering data types in spreadsheets.

For instance, it’s helpful when working with databases that have customer names split across two columns (first name and surname). To make the database easier to search, you can use concatenation to combine the two name fields into one cell.

Next, learn how to extract text from the left of a string in Excel with the LEFT function.

LEFT: How to Extract Text From the Left in Excel

To extract text from the left in Excel, you can use the LEFT formula. It lets you choose how many characters you want to get from a cell. Here’s a 3-step guide:

1. Select the cell.
2. Enter this formula into the formula bar: =LEFT(cell reference, number of characters). Change “cell reference” to the chosen cell and “number of characters” to the amount you want.
3. Press Enter. The result will display in the cell.

For example, if the cell contains “John Doe” and you want to get only “John”, enter “=LEFT(A1,4)” (where A1 is the location of “John Doe”) into another cell and press Enter.

Using LEFT in Excel is helpful when dealing with large spreadsheets. It’s quick and easy to access specific data points and decreases manual labor. Microsoft’s official documentation states that using functions like LEFT boosts productivity and reduces the risk of errors in calculations.

Now, let’s take a look at how to extract text from the right in Excel using the RIGHT formula…

RIGHT: How to Extract Text From the Right in Excel

Extracting text from the right in Excel? Use the RIGHT function! This returns a specified number of characters from the end of the string or text.

Follow these 3 steps:

1. Select the cell to display the extracted text.
2. Type “=RIGHT(” and select the cell that contains the original text.
3. Type the number of characters to extract in parentheses after “RIGHT.”

For instance, if you have a list of emails in column A and want to extract the domain name (e.g., “@gmail.com”), in B1 type “=RIGHT(A1, 10)” if each domain name is ten characters long.

To make the formula more flexible, use the LEN function to count the characters in the original text. Replace “10” with “=LEN(A1)-FIND(“@”,A1)” if the domain names are longer or shorter than ten characters.

Note: Results differ based on whether data is formatted left-to-right or right-to-left (e.g., English vs Arabic).

Microsoft Research’s study found that people who use Excel may spend up to nine hours per week combining data from multiple sources via spreadsheet formulas!

Next: Extract Text From the Middle in Excel.

MID: How to Extract Text From the Middle in Excel

Do you need to extract text from the middle of a cell in Excel? The MID formula can help! Here’s how:

1. Select a cell and type “=MID(“ in the formula bar.
2. Add the reference text and its starting position, like this: =MID(reference_text,start_num.
3. Add the characters to fetch, separating each argument with a comma.
4. Close your formula with ONE closing parenthesis and hit enter.

Now you can extract FirstName from FullName or year from a complete date, using MID. It’s simple and useful for quick answers.

For example, if you have multiple email ids with first and last name appended, separated by “_”, you can use MID to extract only the name.

I recently used MID to separate a full name that had been entered instead of an employee ID. It saved a lot of time!

Next we’ll look at date formatting in Excel – check out “Excel Date Formulae: A Step-by-Step Guide”.

Excel Date Formulae: A Step-by-Step Guide

Are you an Excel user? Do date calculations give you a headache? I’m sure you’ll be excited to explore this section about Excel Date Formulae – A Step-by-Step Guide. We’ll check out the built-in functions in Excel like TODAY, NOW, WEEKDAY and YEAR. Learn how to use these capacities to make your workflow way more efficient with easy-to-follow formulas. Let’s go on a journey to discover the secrets of date formulae in Excel and begin improving your data analysis!

TODAY: How to Use the TODAY Function in Excel

The TODAY function in Excel helps you utilize the current date in calculations or update a cell with today’s date automatically. Here’s how to use it:

1. Choose the cell where you want to display today’s date.
2. Type an equal sign, then “TODAY.”
3. Press Enter and Excel will show today’s date.
4. To format the cell, right-click it and select “Format Cells.”
5. To have Excel update the cell automatically when you open the worksheet, use a combination of the TODAY and Volatile functions—e.g. NOW.

Using TODAY Function saves time and gives endless possibilities! You can use it for scheduling appointments or tracking task progress. Working with date formulas may seem hard at first, but mastering them means great flexibility for handling timescales within datasets.

Next up: NOW—How to Use the NOW Function in Excel.

NOW: How to Use the NOW Function in Excel

The NOW function in Excel returns the current date and time based on your computer’s clock. This is useful for creating timestamps or tracking time elapsed since an event. To use it, follow these steps:

1. Select a cell.
2. Type “=NOW()” in the formula bar.
3. Press Enter.

The value is volatile, so it will update when you open or recalculate. Use it for real-time data such as stock prices and website traffic. Behind it lies a rich history: Excel was first released in 1985 as a Mac-only application called Multiplan. It wasn’t until Windows came out that it became widely used.

Now, let’s move on to the next heading: “WEEKDAY: How to Calculate the Weekday in Excel“.

WEEKDAY: How to Calculate the Weekday in Excel

Calculating weekdays in Excel can appear tricky. But fear not! Here are four easy steps to guide you:

1. Select a cell with a date in your excel sheet.
2. In an empty cell, type =WEEKDAY(A2).
3. Press enter, and you will see the week number of the chosen date.
4. To manually adjust the day to number (eg Monday=1 instead of Sunday=1), type =WEEKDAY(A2,2) in the empty cell.

Remember, weekends are usually numbered 6 (Saturday) to 7 (Sunday). This can be changed with different arguments within the WEEKDAY function.

Calculating dates in Excel may be useful. But, if you need to extract some old data, our next topic can help. We will explore ‘YEAR: How to Extract the Year from a Date in Excel’ in our next paragraphs.

Keep in mind that according to Microsoft Support page, Excel detects dates based on computer settings. A cell with “01/02/2020” could be read as “January 2nd 2020” or “February 1st 2020,” depending on location.

YEAR: How to Extract the Year from a Date in Excel

Need to extract the year from a date in Excel? Use the YEAR function. Here’s how:

1. Select the cell where you want to display the year.
2. Type “=YEAR(” to start the function.
3. Enter the cell reference or type the date in quotation marks, followed by a closing parenthesis: e.g., “=YEAR(A1)” or “=YEAR(“10/05/2022″)”.
4. Press “Enter” and your answer should display.
5. To extract the year in bulk, drag down to copy the formula.

Sometimes dates appear as text values instead of serial numbers. Convert them to serial numbers using the DATEVALUE function.

To make sure your formula references are dynamic, use cell references rather than typing specific dates.

I needed to compile data by year from different departments’ spreadsheets when I worked as a sales admin assistant. It saved me time and improved the accuracy of my reports.

Next up: ‘Excel Array Formulae: Understanding The Basics‘.

Excel Array Formulae: Understanding the Basics

Excel is powerful! An array formula is one of its best features. Here, I’ll explain the basics of array formulas. We’ll look at the SUM, AVERAGE, MAX and MIN functions. These can help you quickly calculate and analyze data. Unlock impressive Excel capabilities!

SUM: How to Use the SUM Function in Excel

If you want to use the SUM function in Excel, here are six easy steps:

1. Click on the cell where you want to put the sum.
2. Type “=SUM(“
3. Select the first cell to be summed up. Put a comma.
4. Select each other cell to be added. Separate them with commas.
5. Type “)” at the end and hit enter.
6. The total will show up in the original cell.

In short, SUM is a great way to calculate totals quickly. This can save time and avoid errors that happen when done manually.

Fun fact: Excel, when released in 1985, did not have a “SUM” button or formula. Users had to type it out. Microsoft eventually added automatic summation features in later versions.

Let’s move on to the next formula: AVERAGE. How do you use Excel’s AVERAGE function?

AVERAGE: How to Use the AVERAGE Function in Excel

If you’re seeking to calculate the mean of a group of numbers in Excel, then AVERAGE: How to Use the AVERAGE Function in Excel is what you need! With this function, you can easily compute the mean value of cell entries with ease.

To use the AVERAGE function, select the range of cells that you want to average. Then type =AVERAGE( followed by the range inside parentheses. Press enter and that’s it! The average value will be displayed in the selected cell.

Here are some key points about using the AVERAGE function:

• It works with both individual cells and ranges of cells.
• You can include up to 255 arguments or cell references within the parentheses.
• The formula will ignore any blank cells or text strings within your selection.
• If all of your selections contain text strings, then it will return an error message.

If you want more control, you can constrain the range with IF statements. For example, if you only wanted to calculate the average for numbers greater than 5 within a given range, then you could use this formula: =AVERAGE(IF(A2:A10>5,A2:A10))

Pro Tip: Don’t forget Excel has a keyboard shortcut for calculating averages! Highlight the range and press Alt + ‘=’ (equals) on your keyboard.

Next: MAX: How to Use the MAX Function in Excel.

MAX: How to Use the MAX Function in Excel

To employ the MAX function in Excel, there are a couple of easy steps. Select the cell you want the max value to show up in. Type “=” and then “MAX(“ without quotes. Excel will realize you’re using the MAX function.

Highlight the range of cells to find the max value for. You can do this by clicking and dragging the mouse over them, or by typing in the cell references (e.g. A1:A10). When it’s highlighted, type “)” without quotes and press Enter.

The result should be the highest value in your selected cell range. You just used Excel’s MAX function!

Using functions like MAX when working with big datasets or tricky calculations is a great time and effort saver. It automates repetitive tasks and lowers the risk of human error.

Also, while our example was finding the highest value in a range of cells, MAX can be used with any sortable data types – text strings, dates and numerical values.

To get even more out of Excel’s functions like MAX, consider learning about array formulas. These powerful tools let you calculate multiple sets of data at once – way faster than single-cell formulas.

And that’s it! A simple guide to using Excel’s MAX function. It can make your life easier and more productive, whether you’re dealing with small or large spreadsheets.

MIN: How to Use the MIN Function in Excel

To use the MIN function in Excel, there are 3 steps:

1. Select the cell for the result.
2. Type ‘=MIN(‘ without commas.
3. Select or enter the cell range with the values to compare.

Excel will show the smallest value.

To locate min values within an array, press Ctrl+Shift+Enter. This highlights the ranges with info to analyze.

In the data-driven world, interpreting numerical data unlocks opportunities. One application of Excel is measuring supply-chain performance. A friend of mine worked as a logistics manager and found excess stock. He used MS Excel formulas like MIN, MAX and SUM functions. After filtering, he realized that some products were supplied more than sold.

Knowing what Excel formulas do and how they work with filters is crucial for success in data analysis.

FAQs about Info: Excel Formulae Explained

What is INFO: Excel Formulae Explained?

INFO: Excel Formulae Explained is a comprehensive guide to understanding and using Excel formulae in your spreadsheets. It covers a range of topics, from basic math and text functions to more advanced formulas for data analysis and manipulation.

Why should I learn Excel formulae?

Excel formulae can help you automate tasks, streamline processes, and perform complex calculations with ease. They are a powerful tool for data analysis and can save you time and effort in your work.

What are some common Excel formulae?

Some common Excel formulae include SUM, AVERAGE, COUNT, MAX, MIN, IF, and VLOOKUP. These formulas can be used to perform basic math and text operations, as well as more complex functions like data analysis and financial calculations.

How do I create Excel formulae?

To create an Excel formula, you need to start by typing an equals sign (=) into a cell, followed by the formula itself. You can use a range of functions, operators, and cell references to create your formula, depending on the type of data and calculation you need to perform.

What are some tips for using Excel formulae?

Some tips for using Excel formulae include using cell references instead of hard-coded values, breaking down complex formulas into smaller parts, and using built-in functions whenever possible. It’s also important to check your formulas carefully for errors and to use formatting to make your data more readable.

Where can I find more resources on Excel formulae?

There are many online resources available for learning and using Excel formulae, including video tutorials, forums, and blogs. Microsoft’s official Excel website is also a great source of information, with a range of tutorials and guides for users of all levels.