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Learn Essential Excel Functions | Mastering Basic Excel Formulas and Functions
Excel for Beginners with Grid
Section 3. Chapter 4

Essential Excel Functions

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Excel functions are the secret sauce that turns a simple spreadsheet into a powerful data analysis tool.

This chapter will introduce you to some of the most common and versatile functions: SUM, AVERAGE, MIN, MAX, and COUNT.

We'll also explore how to use the AutoSum feature, combine functions for complex calculations, and handle error checking in formulas.

Key Points

  • The SUM function add up a range of numbers, perfect for calculating totals;
  • The AVERAGE function finds the average value in a range, ignoring empty cells and text;
  • The MAX function identifies the largest number in a range;
  • The MIN function finds the smallest number in a range;
  • The COUNT function tallies the number of cells that contain numbers in a range;
  • AutoSum quickly adds up a range of cells and can also be used for AVERAGE, COUNT, MAX, and MIN;
  • You can combine functions to perform more complex calculations;
  • Excel has multiple Error Checking tools for you to utilise.
Task

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  1. Click on L15. Type =SUM(. Double-click SUM in the function list. Select L8:L14. Press Enter.

  2. Click on M15. Type =SUM(. Double-click SUM in the function list. Select M8:M14. Press Enter.

  3. Click on I31. Type =AVE(. Double-click AVERAGE in the function list. Select I22:I28. Press Enter.

  4. Click on I32. Type =MAX(. Double-click MAX in the function list. Select I22:I28. Press Enter.

  5. Click on I33. Type =MIN(. Double-click MIN in the function list. Select I22:I28. Press Enter.

  6. Select cells I31:I33. Drag the fill handle across to column M.

  7. Click on I34. Type =AVE(. Double-click AVERAGE in the function list. Type MAX(. Double-click MAX in the function list and select I22:I28. Then type ,MIN(. Double-click MIN in the function list and select I22:I28. Press Enter.

  8. Accept the Excel correction dialog to add the missing closing bracket.

  9. Select J34 and drag the fill handle across to M34.

Solution

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Section 3. Chapter 4

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