Chapter 2 Working with Data 47
This example illustrates a simple formula involving the addition of two
numbers. What if you wanted to fi nd the total gas and other sales for all ten
of the service stations? In that case, you would be better off using one of
Excel’s built-in functions.
Inserting an Excel Function
Excel has a library containing hundreds of functions covering most fi nan-
cial, statistical, and mathematical needs. Users can also create their own
custom functions using Excel’s programming language. StatPlus contains
its own library of functions, supplementing those offered by Excel. A list
of statistics-related functions is included in the Appendix at the end of
this book.
A function is composed of the function name and a list of arguments—
values required by the function. For example to calculate the sum of a set of
cells, you would use the SUM function. The general form or syntax of the
SUM function is
= SUM(number1, number2,... )
where number1 and number2 are numbers or cell references. Note that the
SUM function allows multiple numbers of cell references. Thus to calculate
the sum of the cells in the range B2:B11, you could enter the formula
= SUM(B2:B11).
Figure 2-8
Adding new
formulas
with Autofill
formulas automatically
entered by Excel
