Excel Lesson 5
Using Functions
Microsoft Office 2010
Introductory
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Objectives
⚫ Identify the parts of a function.
⚫ Enter formulas with functions.
⚫ Use functions to solve mathematical
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problems.
⚫ Use functions to solve statistical problems.
⚫ Use functions to solve financial problems.
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Objectives (continued)
⚫ Use logical functions to make decisions with
worksheet data.
⚫ Use functions to insert times and dates in a
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worksheet.
⚫ Use text functions to format and display cell
contents.
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Vocabulary
⚫ argument ⚫ logical functions
⚫ date and time functions ⚫ mathematical functions
⚫ financial functions ⚫ statistical functions
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⚫ Formula AutoComplete ⚫ text functions
⚫ function ⚫ trigonometric functions
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What Are Functions?
⚫ A function is a shorthand way to write an
equation that performs a calculation.
⚫ A formula with a function has three parts:
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– The equal sign identifies the cell contents as a
formula.
– The function name identifies the operation to be
performed.
– The argument is the value the function uses to
perform a calculation.
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What Are Functions? (continued)
⚫ Parts of a function
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Entering Formulas with Functions
⚫ To enter a formula with a function, you need
to do the following.
– Start the formula with an equal sign.
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– Select or enter the function you want to use.
– Select or enter the arguments.
– Enter the completed formula.
⚫ To open the Insert Function dialog box, click
the Insert Function button on the Formula
Bar.
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Entering Formulas with Functions
(continued)
⚫ Insert Function dialog box
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Entering Formulas with Functions
(continued)
⚫ You can also enter a formula with a function
directly in a cell by typing an equal sign, the
function name, and the argument.
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⚫ Formula AutoComplete helps you enter a
formula with a valid function name and
arguments.
– As you begin to type the function name, a list of
function names appears below the active cell.
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Types of Functions
⚫ Mathematical functions and trigonometric
functions manipulate quantitative data in a
worksheet.
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⚫ Some mathematical operations, such as
addition and subtraction, do not require
functions.
⚫ Mathematical and trigonometric functions are
particularly useful when you need to
determine values such as logarithms,
factorials, and sines.
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Types of Functions (continued)
⚫ Commonly used mathematical and trigonometric
functions
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Types of Functions (continued)
⚫ Statistical functions are used to describe
quantities of data.
⚫ For example, statistical functions can
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determine:
– the average, standard deviation, or variance of a
range of data.
– the number of values in a range, the largest value
in a range, and the smallest value in a range.
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Types of Functions (continued)
⚫ Commonly used statistical functions
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Types of Functions (continued)
⚫ Financial functions are used to analyze
loans and investments.
⚫ Some commonly used financial functions are
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future value, present value, and payment.
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Types of Functions (continued)
⚫ Commonly used financial functions
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Types of Functions (continued)
⚫ Logical functions, such as the IF function,
display text or values if certain conditions exist.
– The first argument sets a condition for comparison,
called a logical test. The second argument determines
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the value if the logical test is true. The third argument
determines the value if the logical test is false.
⚫ For example, the formula
=IF(C4>60,“PASS”,“FAIL”) returns PASS if the
value in cell C4 is greater than 60; otherwise the
formula returns FAIL.
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Types of Functions (continued)
⚫ Commonly used logical functions
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Types of Functions (continued)
⚫ Date and Time functions can also be used
to insert dates and times in a worksheet.
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Types of Functions (continued)
⚫ Text functions are used to format and
display cell contents.
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Summary
In this lesson, you learned:
⚫ A function is a shorthand way to write an equation that
performs a calculation. A formula with a function has
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three parts: an equal sign, a function name, and for
most functions one argument, which acts as an
operand.
⚫ The best way to select a function is from the Insert
Function dialog box. The Function Arguments dialog
box provides a description of each argument you
enter for the function.
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Summary (continued)
⚫ When you type a formula with a function directly in a
worksheet cell, Formula AutoComplete helps you enter
a formula with a valid function name and arguments.
⚫ Functions can be used to perform mathematical,
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statistical, financial, and logical operations. They can
also be used to insert and calculate dates and times and
to format text.
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