Excel Formulas and Functions: Enter A Formula

This document provides instructions on how to use formulas, functions, and other features in Excel. It explains that formulas calculate cell values, functions are predefined formulas, and functions like SUM can be used to add a range of cells. It then provides steps for entering formulas, editing formulas, understanding operator precedence for calculations, copying formulas to new cells while adjusting references, and inserting functions using the Insert Function tool or by directly typing the function name and arguments.

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Excel Formulas and Functions: Enter A Formula

Uploaded by

Viah Tronzal

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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

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EXCEL FORMULAS AND FUNCTIONS

A formula is an expression which calculates the value of a
cell. Functions are predefined formulas and are already
available in Excel.
For example, cell A3 below contains a formula which adds
the value of cell A2 to the value of cell A1.
For example, cell A3 below contains the SUM function which
calculates the sum of the range A1:A2.

ENTER A FORMULA

To enter a formula, execute the following steps.

1. Select a cell.
2. To let Excel know that you want to enter a formula, type an
equal sign (=).
3. For example, type the formula A1+A2.

Tip: instead of typing A1 and A2, simply select cell A1 and

cell A2.
4. Change the value of cell A1 to 3.

Excel automatically recalculates the value of cell A3

EDIT A FORMULA

When you select a cell, Excel shows the value or formula of

the cell in the formula bar.

1. To edit a formula, click in the formula bar and change

the formula.

2. Press Enter.

OPERATOR PRECEDENCE

Excel uses a default order in which calculations occur.

If a part of the formula is in parentheses, that part will
be calculated first. It then performs multiplication or division calculations. Once this is complete, Excel will add and
subtract the remainder of your formula.

Example:

First, Excel performs multiplication (A1 * A2). Next, Excel

adds the value of cell A3 to this result.

Another example,

First, Excel calculates the part in parentheses (A2+A3). Next,

it multiplies this result by the value of cell A1.
COPY/PASTE A FORMULA

When you copy a formula, Excel automatically adjusts the cell

references for each new cell the formula is copied to. To
understand this, execute the following steps.

1. Enter the formula shown below into cell A4.

2a. Select cell A4 right click, and then click Copy (or press CTRL + c)...

...next, select cell B4, right click, and then click Paste under 'Paste Options:' (or
press CTRL + v).

2b. You can also drag the formula to cell B4. Select cell A4,
click on the lower right corner of cell A4 and drag it across to
cell B4. This is much easier and gives the exact same result!

Result. The formula in cell B4 references the

values in column B.

INSERT A FUNCTION

Every function has the same structure. For example, SUM(A1:A4). The name of this function is SUM. The part between
the brackets (arguments) means we give Excel the range A1:A4 as input. This function adds the values in cells A1, A2,
A3 and A4. It's not easy to remember which function and which arguments to use for each task. Fortunately, the Insert
Function feature in Excel helps you with this.

To insert a function, execute the following steps.

1. Select a cell.
2. Click the Insert Function button.
The 'Insert Function' dialog box appears.
3. Search for a function or select a function from a
category. For example, choose COUNTIF from the
Statistical category.
4. Click OK.
The 'Function Arguments' dialog box appears.
5. Click in the Range box and select the range A1:C2.
6. Click in the Criteria box and type >5.
7. Click OK.