Objective 3
255 arguments. The maximum numbers of
Perform operation with formulas and functions
 A simple formula and even more complex
functions is used to provide a means to
interpret the data.
 A FORMULA is an equation designed by a user
in Excel, while a FUNCTION is a predefined
calculation in the spreadsheet application.
Cell reference
 Refers to a single cell or a range of cells that is
used to calculate or evaluate formula and
function so that MS Excel can find the values
that the data you want to calculate.
 Cell reference is a cell address.
 Formulas in an Excel worksheet usually involve
functions performed on the values contained in
one or more other cells on the worksheet (or on
another worksheet).
 In one or several formulas you can use cell
reference to refer data from one or more
contiguous cells or workbooks. Contiguous is
the group of highlighted cells
 A reference that you make in a formula to the
contents of a worksheet cell is either:
1. relative reference - A RELATIVE REFERENCE
to a cell takes the form A1. When you copy
or fill a formula from the original cell to
other cells
 changes to maintain the
relationship between the cell
containing the formula and the
referenced cell
2. absolute reference:
 An ABSOLUTE REFERENCE takes the
form $A$1; ($ sign denotes absolute
reference)
 When you copy or fill a formula
from the original cell to other cells,
an absolute reference will not
change regardless of the
relationship to the referenced cell,
the reference stays the same (fixed)
3. mixed reference:
 A MIXED REFERENCE refers
absolutely to either the column or
row and relatively to the other
 Cell Array – denoted by {=} bracket
 A function could actually accommodate up to
arguments and corresponding numbers are 255
for a single function. An argument is separated
by a comma (no spacing).
 If you want to include in your argument a
number which will read as text then you have to
enclose it in a parenthesis (? or quotation
mark?)
 Nested function – it is a function within a
function.
 Text string – kapag may quotation mark that is
text string. Enclose text strings within the
formula in quotation marks.
 Example of functions:
 =now() – use to give the current date
base on the system. (this is not fixed)
 =average() -
 =sum() – to add
 =MAX(range of cells) – to select the
maximum number or highest number in
a particular array of cells or range of
cells
 =MAX(IF(range of names=specific
name,range of sales,FALSE))
 =LEFT(A1) = yung first letter ng text sa
cell
 =VLOOKUP(lookup_value,table_array,c
ol_index_num,[range_lookup])
 COUNT() – this will only count the
number of cells that contains numbers
 COUNTA() – any content whether it’s a
number or a text (cell should not be
empty)
 COUNTBLANK() – if you want to count
the cells that are blank or empty use
this function.
 Keyboard shortcuts:
 F2 – to activate a cell
 F4 – relative / absolute / mixed / mixed
 Ctrl + Shift + Enter – you are instructing
MS Excel that this is an array of cells.
 Alt + =(equal sign) - to sum all the
values on a contiguous cells
 Operators:
 = equal to
 <> not equal to
 > greater than
 < less than
  >= greater than or equal to
 <= less than or equal to
 Error Messages:
 #DIV/0! – try to divide by 0
 #N/A! – a formula or a function inside a
formula cannot find the reference data
 #NAME? – Text in the formula is not
recognized
 #NULL! - Space was used in formulas
that reference multiple ranges; a
comma separates range references
 #NUM! - Formula has invalid numeric
data for the type of operation
 #REF! – A reference is invalid
 #VALUE! - The wrong type of operand
or function argument is used