Datasheet

=SUM(A1:A5) + Returns the sum of the range A1:A5 added
AVERAGE(B1:B5) with the average of the range B1:B5. This is
an example of a formula that combines the
result of two functions.
Ready to write your first formula with a function in it? This function creates
an average:
1. Enter some numbers in a column’s cells.
2. Click an empty cell where you want to see the result.
3. Enter
=AVERAGE( to start the function.
Note: New in Excel 2007, Excel presents a list of functions that have the
same spelling as the function name you type. The more letters you type,
the shorter the list becomes. The advantage is, for example, typing the
letter A, using the
↓ to select the AVERAGE function, and then pressing
the Tab key.
4. Click the first cell with an entered value and, while holding the mouse
button, drag the mouse pointer over the other cells that have values.
An alternative is to enter the range of those cells.
5. Enter a ).
6. Press Enter.
If all went well, your worksheet should look a little bit like ours, in Figure 1-20.
Cell B10 has the calculated result, but look up at the Formula Bar and you can
see the actual function as it was entered.
Formulas and functions are dependent on the cells and ranges to which they
refer. If you change the data in one of the cells, the result returned by the func-
tion updates. You can try this now. In the example you just did with making
an average, click into one of the cells with the values and enter a different
number. The returned average changes.
Figure 1-20:
Entering the
AVERAGE
function.
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Chapter 1: Tapping into Formula and Function Fundamentals
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