Excel has over 300 built-in functions. All functions are structured alike containing 3 parts:

1. Equal Sign ( = ) - Telling Excel to do math

2. The name of the function

3. Parentheses containing the function arguments, if any, separated by commas. The arguments are the elements used in the calculation such as a range to add.

NOTE: Functions will be covered separately. See our pages on the individual functions.

All functions will have a Return. The Return is the answer to the calculation that is displayed on the worksheet.

Insert Function

The Excel Insert Function feature will give you access to all the built-in functions of Excel (In versions earlier than 2003 this function was called Paste Function.) This feature will also provide help in building your function.

1. Select the cell where you want to build the function.
2. Click on the Insert Function Button located to the left of the Formula Bar.
3. In the Insert Function box, select the category of the function.
   
   
   
4. Select the function from the function list.
   
   
   
   NOTE: The function syntax and the function return (answer) are listed below the function list box.
5. Click OK. The Function Arguments Box will open.
   
   
   
6. In the Function Artuments box you can type the numbers.
   OR
   You can collapse the Function Arguments box and select the desired range. To collapse the box, click on the collapse button for the desired argument.
   
7. With the box collapsed you can view the worksheet to highlight the desired range.
   
   
   
8. To return to the Function Arguments box, click on the Expand Button.
9. Click OK. You will see the result in the spreadsheet and the function in the Formula Bar.

Functions Explained on our site

We have covered specific functions on our site. Here are the ones that we have covered so far. (There will be more to come later.)

Functions

Other Related Pages