Basic Functions in Excel
Calculating New Variables
• To calculate new variables in Excel using mathematical
operations first type = in a specified cell and then type
the calculation to be carried out.
• Specific cells or numbers can be used in Excel.
• Mathematical Operators:
• Multiplication : *
• Subtraction : -
• Addition : +
• Division : /
SUM function
• The sum function in Excel is used to calculate the
summation of all numerical values within specified cells.
• For example:
• =sum(A2:A10)
• =sum(A2:A10; C2:C10)
• The AutoSum Wizard on the right-hand side of the ribbon
can also be used to calculate the sum of column.
COUNT and COUNTIF function
• The count function in Excel counts the total number of
cells that contain numbers.
• For example:
• =count(A1:A20)
• The countif function can also be used to count the
number of cells that meet a specific criteria.
• For example:
• =countif(A1:A20; “Apples”)
AVERAGE function
• The average function in Excel calculates the arithmetic
mean for specified cells or arguments.
• For example:
• =average(A1:A20)
VAR.S function
• The var.s function in Excel calculates the variance of the
arguments based on a sample.
• For example:
• =var.s(A1:A20)
STDEV.S function
• The stdev.s function in Excel calculates the standard
deviation of the arguments based on a sample.
• For example:
• =stdev.s(A1:A20)
SQRT function
• The sqrt function in Excel returns the positive square root
of an argument.
• For example:
• =sqrt(A1)
• =sqrt(ABS(A1)) : can be used to avoid errors
MIN and MAX functions
• The min and max functions in Excel return either the
minimum or maximum values of a specified range.
• For example:
• =min(A1:A20)
• =max(A1:A20)
MEDIAN function
• The median function in Excel returns the median value
for specified arguments.
• For example:
• =median(A1:A20)
MODE.SNGL function
• The mode.sngl function in Excel returns the most
occurring or repetitive value in a range or array. (prior to
Excel 2010, the function was just mode)
• For example:
• =mode.sngl(A1:A20)
QUARTILE.INC function
• The quartile.inc function in Excel returns the quartile of a
specified data set based on values 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 where:
• 0 = Minimum value
• 1 = First or 25th quartile value
• 2 = Median or 50th quartile value
• 3 = Third/Upper or 75 quartile value
• 4 = Maximum value
• For example:
• =quartile.inc(A1:A20; 1) – returns the 25th quartile
value
STANDARDIZE function
• The standardize function in Excel calculates a normalized
value based on a defined mean and standard deviation.
Cell references can be used to define the mean and
standard deviation.
• For example:
• =standardize(A1; 0; 1)
• =standardize(A1; A2; A3)
Named Ranges
• Named Ranges are useful in Excel to refer to cells using a
more common expression than the actual cell number.
• Once defined, named ranges can be used in all
subsequent Excel operations.
• Defining a named range:
• Either define a named range in the Name Box at the
top left.
• Or use the Name Manager under the Formula tab
to define a range.
