Datasheet

35
Chapter 1: Tapping into Formula and Function Fundamentals
=COUNTIF(B5:B25, “>” & AVERAGE(B5:B25)). The AVERAGE func-
tion is evaluated first, and then the COUNTIF function is evaluated using the
returned value from the nested function used as an argument.
Nested functions are best entered directly. The Insert Function dialog box
does not make it easy to enter a nested function. Try one. In this example,
you use the AVERAGE function to find the average of the largest values from
two sets of numbers. The nested function in this example is MAX. You enter
the MAX function twice within the AVERAGE function:
1. Enter a few different numbers in one column.
2. Enter a few different numbers in a different column.
3. Click an empty cell where you want the result to appear.
4. Enter =AVERAGE( to start the function entry.
5. Enter MAX(.
6. Click the first cell in the second set of numbers, press the mouse
button, and drag over all the cells of the first set.
The address of this range enters into the MAX function.
7. Enter a closing parenthesis to end the first MAX function.
8. Enter a comma (,).
9. Once again, enter MAX(.
10. Click the first cell in the second set of numbers, press the mouse
button, and drag over all the cells of the second set.
The address of this range enters into the MAX function.
11. Enter a closing parenthesis to end the second MAX function.
12. Enter a ).
This ends the AVERAGE function.
13. Press Enter.
Figure 1-27 shows the result of your nested function. Cell C14 has this for-
mula: =AVERAGE(MAX(B4:B10),MAX(D4:D10)).
When using nested functions, the outer function is preceded with an equal
sign (=) if it is the beginning of the formula. Any nested functions are not pre-
ceded with an equal sign.
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