Excel 2010 Bible

195

CHAPTER

Introducing Formulas

and Functions

IN THIS CHAPTER

Understanding Formula Basics ..........................................................................................

Entering formulas and

functions into your

worksheets

Understanding how to use

references in formulas

Correcting common formula

errors

Using advanced naming

techniques

Tips for working with formulas

F

ormulas are what make a spreadsheet program so useful. If it weren’t for
formulas, a spreadsheet would simply be a glorified word-processing
document that has great support for tabular information. You use for-
mulas in your Excel worksheets to calculate results from the data stored in the
worksheet. When data changes, the formulas calculate updated results with
no extra effort on your part. This chapter introduces formulas and functions
and helps you get up to speed with this important element.

Understanding Formula Basics

A formula consists of special code entered into a cell. It performs a calcula-
tion of some type and returns a result, which is displayed in the cell.
Formulas use a variety of operators and worksheet functions to work with
values and text. The values and text used in formulas can be located in other
cells, which makes changing data easy and gives worksheets their dynamic
nature. For example, you can see multiple scenarios quickly by changing the
data in a worksheet and letting your formulas do the work.

A formula can consist of any of these elements:

l Mathematical operators, such as + (for addition) and * (for

multiplication)

l Cell references (including named cells and ranges)

l (^) Values or text
l Worksheet functions (such as SUM or AVERAGE)