Functions
Excel contains built in formulas known as functions. The role of these functions is to make it easier to perform common calculations.
One of the most common functions is =SUM( ). This is used to add up values.
Most functions are designed to use data which it then used in the calculations. This data is entered in the brackets which follow the name of the functions. For example, =SUM(A1+A2+A3) would add together the contents of cell A1, A2 and A3.
Ranges
A range is a group of cells in a worksheet. It is, effectively, a quick way of specifying the first and last cell and automatically including all of the cells in between.
A range is identified by the cell reference of the first cell followed by a colon, then the cell reference of the last cell
An example of a range is A1:A10.
Excel’s Mathematical Functions
=SUM
The SUM function adds all the numbers specified in the range within the brackets. The details within the brackets could be:
- A number
- A cell reference
- A range of cells
- The result of another function
There can be up to 255 values added together within the brackets of a =SUM function.