Functions vs Formulas in EXCEL
Functions and Formulas in Microsoft EXCEL: What's the Difference?
If you use Microsoft EXCEL, you may have encountered the terms functions and formulas. But do you know what they mean and how they differ? In this blog post, we will explain the difference between functions and formulas in EXCEL, and give some examples to help you understand when to use each one.
What is a formula in EXCEL?
A formula is an expression that calculates the value of a cell. A formula can contain constants, cell references, operators, and functions. For example, the formula =A1+A2 adds the values in cells A1 and A2 and displays the result in the cell where the formula is entered.
What is a function in EXCEL?
A function is a predefined calculation that simplifies creating a formula. A function can perform a specific operation, such as adding, multiplying, or finding the average of a range of numbers. A function has a name, followed by parentheses, and can accept one or more arguments. For example, the function =SUM(A1:A10) adds all the numbers in the range A1 to A10 and returns the result.
How to use functions and formulas in EXCEL?
To use a function or a formula in EXCEL, you need to enter it in a cell. You can type it manually, or use the Insert Function button on the Formulas tab to select a function from a list of categories. You can also use the AutoSum button on the Home tab to quickly insert common functions, such as SUM, AVERAGE, COUNT, etc.
When you enter a function or a formula in a cell, EXCEL will display the result of the calculation. If you want to see the function or formula itself, you can click on the cell and look at the formula bar. You can also edit or delete the function or formula from there.
Functions and formulas are powerful tools that can help you perform various calculations and analyses in EXCEL. By understanding the difference between them, you can choose the best option for your needs and create more efficient and accurate spreadsheets.
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