Excel function is a predefined formula that performs calculations using given values in a specific order. Excel uses many different functions for all occasions. You can use functions to speed up tasks, simplify formulas, and perform calculations that would be impossible without them. In this lesson, you will learn what a function is, what its syntax and arguments are.
Excel contains a number of simple functions that can be useful for quickly finding sums, averages, maximum and minimum values, and for calculating data. In order to use functions correctly, you need to understand their syntax, i.e. recording rule.
Syntax of functions in Excel
To work correctly, a function must be written in a specific sequence called syntax. The basic syntax of a function includes an equal sign (=), a function name (such as SUM), and one or more arguments. The arguments contain the information to be evaluated. In the following example, the function sums the values in the range A1:A20.
There are functions in Excel that do not contain any arguments. For example, the function TODAY() returns the current date from your computer’s system time.
Working with Arguments
Arguments can refer to single cells or ranges of cells and must be enclosed in parentheses. Excel functions can have one or more arguments, depending on the syntax.
For example, the function =CORE(B1:B9) will calculate the average value in the cell range B1:B9. This function contains only one argument.
Multiple arguments must be separated by a semicolon. For example, the function =СУММ(A1:A3; C1:C2; E2) sums the values of all cells in the three arguments.
