Working with Formulas and Functions Lesson 5 Part 1 1

Learning Objectives  Build Formulas  Copy Formulas  Use absolute and relative cell references  Edit formulas  Use the SUM and AutoSum functions  Insert Date Functions  Using conditional logic in a formula  Understand basic statistical functions  Work with three-dimensional functions 2

Formulas  A formula instructions the software to perform a calculation  Example: =A1+A2  Formulas begin with the equal sign (=) or in some cases the plus (+)  Formulas using the following operators:  Addition: +  Division: /  Multiplication: *  Subtraction: -  These are also know as arithmetic operators 3

Order of Operations  Calculations are performed according to the Order of Operations 1.Parentheses 2.Exponents 3.Multiplication and division (from left to right) 4.Addition and subtraction (from left to right) 4

Order of Operations continued…  Ex: In the equation =5+2*3, the result is 11 because the multiplication operation is performed first and then added to the number 5.  To change the order of operations, simply place parentheses around the part of the formula to calculated first.  Ex: =(5+2)*3, the results are 21 because you add what is in the parentheses first and then multiply it by 3. 5

Problem  Which operation would be performed first in the following equation?  =(A8+C9)/(H8-L9) 6

Formula Bar The formula bar allows you to key in the formula. You may also key a formula directly into a cell. Formulas are not case specific. They may be keyed in upper or lower case. 7

Building Formulas  When entering a formula can use the point and click method, that is similar to entering a formula manually into a cell, instead of using the formula bar. 8

Using both the equal and plus sign in an equation will give you the same results. 9

Copying Formulas  Copying formulas prevents repeated entry of the same formula.  Most formulas contain relative references (cells that will change) that will automatically adjust to the pasted area.  Hot Keys  Copy: CTRL + C  Paste: CTRL + V 10

Working with Cell References  A cell reference indicates a cell’s location and provides instructions for how cell data is copied or used in calculations. 11

Working with Cell References continued… Relative Cell Reference  A relative cell reference means that the cell value changes “relative” to the cell in which it is copied. Absolute Cell Reference  An absolute cell reference means that the cell value remains constant when copied to another cell or used in a formula.  Ex. $A$3  Toggle Absolute Reference: F4 12

Editing Formulas  A formula can be edited any time after it has been created. You may change it in the formula bar or by double clicking the cell the formula is located and making the changes there.  Hot Key  Edit Mode – F2 13

Exploring Functions  A function is a special formula that does not use arithmetic operators to calculate a result. It is also known as a shortcut formula.  An argument is a value that provides information to an action, event, method, property, function, or procedure. 14

Basic Statistical Functions  Addition Function: = SUM()  Average Function: =AVERAGE()  Maximum Function: =MAX()  Minimum Function: =MIN()  Count Function: =COUNT() 15

AutoSum  AutoSum allows you select a set of cells relative to cell the function is located in to be added.  It resembles the Greek letter sigma and can be found in the editing group on the Home tab.  Hot Key : ALT + = 16

Date Functions  =NOW() returns the current date and time format as date and time to be used in calculations rather than a label (constant).  =TODAY() returns the current date as a date.  We will look at explanation in the Excel help menu to explain how date and time are based upon the computer system’s date and time. 17

Using Logic in Formulas and Creating a Three-Dimensional Formula will be explained in Part II of the PPT. As of now we will focus on these. Let’s begin creating basic formulas and functions. 18