Calc Guide

Strategies for creating formulas and
functions
Formulas that do more than a simple calculation or summation of rows
or columns of values usually take a number of arguments. For example,
the classic equation of motion s = s0+ vt - ½at2 calculates the
position of a body knowing its original position, its final velocity, its
acceleration, and the time taken to move from the initial state to the
final state.
For ease of presentation, it is good practice to set up a spreadsheet in
a manner similar to that shown in Figure 143. In this example, the
individual variables are input into cells on the sheet and no editing of
the formula (in cell B9) is required.
Figure 143: Setting up a formula with arguments
You can take several broad approaches when creating a formula. In
deciding which approach to take, consider how many other people will
need to use the worksheets, the life of the worksheets, and the
variations that could be encountered in use of the formula.
If people other than yourself will use the spreadsheet, make sure that
it is easy to see what input is required and where. Explanation of the
purpose of the spreadsheet, basis of calculation, input required and
output(s) generated are often placed on the first worksheet.
A spreadsheet that you build today, with many complicated formulas,
may not be quite so obvious in its function and operation in 6 or 12
Chapter 7 Using Formulas and Functions 203