Empowerment Technology

MICROSOFT EXCEL
Understanding Functions
EMB
FUNCTIONS are prewritten
formulas. Functions differ from
regular formulas in that you
supply the value but not the
operators, such as +, -, *, or /.
For example, you can use the SUM
function to add.
EMB
 When using a function,
remember the following:
 Use an equal sign (=) to begin a formula.
 Specify the function name.
 Enclose arguments within parentheses.
Arguments are values on which you want to
perform the calculation. For example, arguments
specify the numbers or cells you want to add.
 Use a comma to separate arguments.
EMB
 Common Sample Functions:
FUNCTIONS DESCRIPTION EXAMPLE
add values of =SUM(argument)
SUM
ranges of cells
display the =AVERAGE(argument)
AVERAGE
average value
calculate the =COUNT(argument)
COUNT
number of values
determine the =MIN(argument
MIN
lowest value
determine the =MAX(argument)
MAX
EMB
maximum value
 Here is an example of function:
=SUM(2,13,A1,B2:C7)

In this function:
 The equal sign begins the function.
 SUM is the name of the function.
 2, 31, A1, and B2:C7 are the arguments.
 Parentheses enclose the arguments.
 Commas separate the arguments.
EMB
IF FUNCTION
 Itis use to conduct conditional tests on
values and formulas.
Syntax:
=IF(condition,value_if_true,value_if_false)
Example:
=IF(A2<=100,”Within the budget”,”Over budget”)

EMB
 ACTIVITY:
Create 10 entries of numbers between 60 to 100 and
determine the following:
 SUM
 AVERAGE
 COUNT
 MIN
 MAX
 If the AVERAGE is greater than or equal to 75, display
the message “You passed the subject”; otherwise,
display the message “Study hard!”.
EMB
VLOOKUP FUNCTION
 Excel's VLOOKUP function, which stands
for vertical lookup, is used to find
specific information that has been
stored in a spreadsheet table. This
topic includes step by step instructions
of how to use Excel's VLOOKUP
function.
EMB
The syntax for the VLOOKUP function is:
= VLOOKUP ( lookup_value , table_array ,
col_index_num , range_lookup )

EMB
 lookup _value: The value you want to find in the first
column of the table_array.
 table_array: This is the table of data that VLOOKUP
searches to find the information you are after.
* The table_array must contain at least two columns of
data. The first column contains the lookup_values.
 col_index_num: The number of the column in the
table_array that contains the data you want returned.
 range_lookup: A logical value (TRUE or FALSE only)
that indicates whether you want VLOOKUP to find an
exact or an approximate match to the lookup_value.
Typing False will return exact matches only.
EMB
Example: How to Use Excel's
VLOOKUP Function
1. Enter the data into cells D1 to E8 as seen in the
image above. Remember to leave cell D1 and E1
blank. This is where the result of the VLOOKUP
function will be displayed.
2. Click on cell E1 --- the location where the
results will be displayed.

EMB
3. Click on the Formulas tab.
4. Choose Lookup & Reference from the ribbon
to open the function drop down list.
5. Click on VLOOKUP in the list to bring up the
function's dialog box.
6. In the dialog box, click on the Lookup _value
line.
7. Click on cell D1 in the spreadsheet to enter
that cell reference into the dialog box. This is
the cell where we will type the part name about
which we are seeking information.
EMB
8. In the dialog box, click on the Table_array
line.
9. Drag select cells D4 to E8 in the spreadsheet
to enter that range into the dialog box. The
table_array is the table of data that VLOOKUP
searches for the lookup_value specified in cell
D1.
10. In the dialog box, click on the
Col_index_num line.

EMB
11. Type the number 2 to indicate that the data
we want returned is in column 2 of the
table_array.
12. In the dialog box, click on the
Range_lookup line.
13. Type the word False to indicate that we
want an exact match for our requested data.
14. Click OK.
15. In cell D1 of the spreadsheet, type the word
bolt.
EMB
16. The value $1.54 should appear in cell E1
displaying the price of a bolt as indicated in
the table_array.
17. If you click on cell E1, the complete
function = VLOOKUP ( D1 , D4:E8 , 2 , FALSE )
appears in the formula bar above the
worksheet.

EMB
ACTIVITY:
 Create 10 entries for the following labels:
ITEM_CODE ITEM_NAME

 After typing the item_code, the corresponding

item_name should appear in the selected or
preferred location of cell.
 Design your spreadsheet.

EMB
 Thank you for listening!

EMB