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Spreadsheets

Formulas and Functions

By , About.com Guide

This series of tips, tutorials, and articles covers how to create and use formulas and functions in Excel and other spreadsheet programs.
  1. Spreadsheet Formulas
  2. IF Functions
  3. Date and Time Functions
  4. Lookup Functions and Formulas
  5. Math and Trig Functions
  6. Random and Rounding Number Functions
  1. Logical Functions
  2. Text and Information Functions
  3. Count and Database Functions
  4. Statistical Functions
  5. Financial Functions
  6. Excel 2003 Functions and Formulas

Spreadsheet Formulas

The tutorials listed here include how to create formulas to carry out basic mathematical calculations as well as how to create more complex formulas - such as nesting functions and array formulas. Tutorials include step by step examples.

IF Functions

The IF function test to see whether a given condition is true or false. Depending upon the result, different outcomes for the function can be specified.

The IF function has also been combined with other popular Excel functions to create such functions as SUMIF, COUNTIF, and AVERAGEIF.

Date and Time Functions

Dates are very important in spreadsheet programs like Excel. Most spreadsheets make use of dates in some way. Listed below are a number of date-related tutorials. Each tutorial includes a step by step example of working with dates in Excel.

Lookup Functions and Formulas

Excel's VLOOKUP function can help you find specific information in large data tables such as an inventory list of parts or a large membership contact list.

In addition to VLOOKUP, there are several other - but lesser known - functions that can be used to create specific lookup formulas.

Math and Trig Functions

The math functions carry out basic math operations such as adding, multiplying, and dividing numbers.

The Trig functions can be used to find the sine, cosine, and tangent of an angle as well as converting angle sizes between radians and degrees.

Random and Rounding Number Functions

The random number tutorials cover the functions that are used generate random numbers in Excel.

The rounding number tutorials cover the functions in Excel that are used when rounding numbers up or down.

Logical Functions

These functions return only a true or false answer. They can be used individually or combined with one or more other functions, such as the IF function as seen in the Rolling Dice tutorial.

Text and Information Functions

Excel's Text Functions help you manage the text data in your spreadsheets.

The Information functions tell about the data in a cell or range of cells. This information includes whether the data is a number, the formatting applied to the cell, or even if the cell is empty.

Count and Database Functions

Excel has a number of Count functions that will total the number of cells in a selected range that meet certain criteria. Since each Count function does a slightly different job the criteria required varies with the function chosen.

Excel's database functions can be used to find specific information based on one or more criteria that you set.

Statistical Functions

Excel's Statistical functions can be used to analyze data in a variety of different ways. Functions included in the program can be used to find common statistical operations such as finding the average value or ranking data by its largest and smallest values as well as more complex operations such as standard deviation.

Financial Functions

Excel's Financial Functions can be used to help you determine changes in dollar value of investments and loans.

Excel 2003 Functions and Formulas

Here you will find step by step tutorials, tips and shortcuts on how to use the common and less common functions available in Excel 2003.

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