Functions
Excel has hundreds of built-in Functions installed by default. Possibly two of the most popular Functions (and easiest to use) are:
- =SUM()
The SUM function simply adds together numbers and returns their total sum. - =COUNT()
The COUNT function simply counts numbers in any given range of cells.
So a Function is a single predefined formula that is built into Excel.
Formulas
A formula is a statement that contains one or more functions. If properly constructed a formula will return the result you want.
Formula and Function Rules
There are only two rules when using functions to create formulas in Excel and these are:
- All formulas and functions must begin with a = (equal sign).
- For every open parenthesis (brackets) there must be a closing parenthesis.
Don't confuse point 2 as meaning all formulas must have open and closing parenthesis, as this not always true.
What is does mean is, all of Excels built-in Functions use at least one set of open and closing parenthesis.
💡 TIP
Whenever you type in a function name, always type it in lower case.
- The reason for this is that if you have spelt the Function name correctly, Excel will automatically convert it to UPPERCASE.
- It is a quick and handy error checking tool. 😊
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