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EXCEL 2007 - FORMULAS AND FUNCTIONS HANDOUT
Topics to be covered: MAX, MIN, AVG, IF, NESTED IF, CONDITIONAL SUM.
Terminology:
Formula: A sequence of values, cell references, names, functions, or operators in a cell that
produces a new value from existing values. A formula always begins with an equal sign (=).
Function: a predefined or built-in formula. Functions can be used to perform simple or
complex calculations.
Formula Bar: A bar near the top of the Microsoft Excel window that you use to enter or edit
values or formulas in cells or charts. It displays the constant value or formula used in the active
cell. To display or hide the formula bar, click Formula Bar on the View menu.
Formula Palette: A tool that helps you create or edit a formula and also provides information
about functions and their arguments. The palette appears below the formula bar when you
click the Edit Formula button on the formula bar or the Insert Function button on the Standard
toolbar.
Insert Function button launches the Function Palette.
Argument: The values a function uses to perform operations or calculations. The type of
argument a function uses is specific to the function. Common arguments used within functions
include numeric values, text values, cell references, ranges of cells, names, labels, and nested
functions.
Cell References: A function can refer to a cell. The function will re-calculate any time the
value of the cell changes. A function can also refer to a range of cells. To refer to a range of
cells, enter the reference for the cell in the upper-left corner of the range, a colon (:), and then
the reference to the cell in the lower-right corner of the range. The following are examples of
references.
Ranges:
The Range Cells included in the Range
A15 Cell in column A , row 15
C1:C25 All cells in column C, rows 1 through 25
B2:D30 All cell in columns B, C and D, rows 2 through 30 in each column
The Syntax of a Function: A function begins with an = (equal sign) and the name of the
function followed by an opening parenthesis. The arguments for the function are separated by
commas and end with a closing parenthesis.
Nesting: Refers to using functions as arguments for other functions. When a function is used
as an argument (or nested) it must return the same type of value that the argument uses or an
#VALUE! error will occur. A formula can contain up to seven levels of nested functions.
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Example below: AVERAGE and SUM are nested functions of IF
=IF(AVERAGE(A2:A5)>50,SUM(B2:B5),0)
Read as “IF the average of A2 through A5 is greater than 50, THEN enter the sum or B2
through B5, ELSE enter a 0”
Hands on Exercises:
Start Excel.
1. Open the file named Excel-FormulasFunctions.xls.
(The five sheets in this workbook will be used in class. Notice each sheet tab identifies the
topic covered.)
2. Make sure you are looking at the first sheet, named AvgMaxMin
We will enter formulas to calculate the AVERAGE, MAXIMUM (highest) and MINIMUM
(lowest) book sales in cells N5, O5, P5. Note that the formulas have already been entered in
N4, O4, and P4 for you to refer to.
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Reminder: Always position the cursor in the cell where you want the result of your function or
formula to go before starting your formula or function.
3. Click Cell N5.
4. Click the Insert Function button
5. Select AVERAGE from the Function Name box on the right side. (If you don’t see it, click
All in the Function Category box to get the entire list and choose from there.)
6. Once you have found it, click OK.
The Function Argument Box will open.
.
7. Indicate the range of cells B5 to M5.
(Note: Excel may try to help you by suggesting a range. If the range suggested by Excel is
correct then this step is not necessary, however it is a good idea to double check. )
If the box is taking up too much space, you may click the Collapse Dialog
Box button which collapses the dialog allowing you to check the range. Click the
Collapse Dialog button again to expand the window.
8. Notice the formula result is displayed near the bottom of the formula palette.
9. Click OK.
10. The function can now be copied down to the rest of the cells in the column. Use the fill
handle to do so.
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11. Refer to the preceding steps to enter the function for MAX in cell O5 and MIN in cell P5.
Hint: Check the contents of cells O4 and P4 before you begin. Be sure to ask if
you have questions.
SimpleIF
1. Switch to the second sheet labeled SimpleIF.
In this sheet you will use a simple IF function to evaluate a number in column B (the students’
numerical grade) and then assign an S or NC (indicating Satisfactory or No Credit for the
course) in column C. NOTE: A satisfactory grade is one which is > 65.5
Look at the contents of cell C4 and also notice the informational text off to the right.
=IF(B4>65.5,"S","NC")
(Tip: The quotes around S and NC (or any text) are necessary. Quotes are added
automatically when using the function argument box.)
2. Click cell C5, then click the Insert Function button and try to create the function yourself.
Please ask if you have questions.
NestedIF
1. Click the NestedIF sheet tab. This sheet will show you how to assign a letter grade to a
numeric score.
2. The first function has been entered for you in C2. Click C2 and check the formula bar to
see what it looks like. If you would like, try to recreate the function in Cell C3.
=IF(B3>92,"A",IF(B3>85,"B",IF(B3>78,"C",IF(B3>65,"D","F"))))
3. Click Cell C3.
Hint: Start with the Insert Function button and choose the IF function. To add each of the
nested IF functions for the “value_if_false” fields, click the function box (to the left of the red X
on the formula bar and choose IF. This is a tricky one. Please ask if you would like assistance.
Another method is to type the formula if you already know what it is.
AVERAGE, MAX, MIN AND IF REVIEW
1. Click the Grades sheet tab. This sheet will allow you to apply what you have just learned
about AVG, MAX, MIN and IF. Refer to the information on the lower portion of this sheet, the
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instructions on pages 2 and 3 of this handout, or to the other sheets in the Excel file. If you
have questions, be sure to ask the instructor.
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CONDITIONAL SUM
The last sheet in your workbook gives examples of a conditional sum by using the SUMIF
function. The SUMIF function adds the cells specified by a given condition or criteria.
1. Click the Cond.Sum sheet tab.
This sheet contains data about employee travel expenses.
In this exercise we want to find a total dollar amount by person. One way to do this is by using
the SUMIF function.
2. Scroll down to the bottom of the data.
3. Click cell I25 and check the formula bar to see the contents.
=SUMIF(B5:B22,"Dr. Alexander",I5:I22)
The first part of the formula sets the range that contains the criteria. The second tells you what
the criteria is (i.e,; is equal to “Dr. Alexander”). The third part defines the range that contains
the data that you would like to manipulate.
To check this out, change the contents of cell
G26 to Dr. Alexander.
If you would like to recreate the function, just
choose any cell and start by clicking the Insert
Function button and choosing SUMIF. Notice
the information provided at the bottom of the
sheet to help you.
STATISTICAL Functions
Open
Excel-StatsCalc.xls
Complete the
formulas in Column D
by using the Insert
Function feature or
you may simply type
in the formulas listed
in Column E.
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Now try it by adding a new feature “Analysis Tool Pac”
Go to Tools Add ins Analysis Tool Pac
Let’s now use the new feature.
Go to Tools Data Analysis Descriptive Statistics
Select Input Range as B5:B14
Select Output Range E18
Check Summary Statistics
Microsoft Excel has hundreds of functions, many of them very complex. This class has
covered only a few of the most commonly used functions. As you explore the other functions in
Excel, refer to on-line help and the dialog box prompts for assistance. The more you use Excel
functions the easier they become.
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