Datasheet
Figure 1-21 shows the Insert Function dialog box. This great helper is accessed
by clicking the Function Wizard button on the Formulas Ribbon. The dialog
box is where you select a function to use.
The dialog box contains a listing of all available functions — and there are
a lot of them! So to make matters easier, the dialog box gives you a way to
search for a function by a keyword, or you can filter the list of functions by
category.
If you know which category a function belongs in, you can click the function
category button in the Formulas Ribbon and select the function from the list.
Try it out! Here’s an example of how to use the Insert Function dialog box to
multiply together a few numbers:
1. Enter three numbers in three different cells.
2. Click an empty cell where you want the result to appear.
3. Click the Function Wizard button on the Formulas Ribbon.
As an alternative, you can just click the little fx button on the Formula
Bar. The Insert Function dialog box appears.
4. Select either All or Math & Trig.
5. In the list of functions, find and select the PRODUCT function.
6. Click the OK button.
This closes the Insert Function dialog box and displays the Function
Arguments dialog box (see Figure 1-22), where you can enter as many
arguments as needed. Initially it might not look like it can accommodate
enough arguments. You need to enter three in this example, but it looks
like there is only room for two. This is like musical chairs!
Figure 1-21:
Using the
Insert
Function
dialog box.
31
Chapter 1: Tapping into Formula and Function Fundamentals
05_046555 ch01.qxp 12/26/06 7:54 PM Page 31