The AutoSum feature is a shortcut to using Excel's SUM function.

It provides a quick way to add up columns or rows of numbers in a spreadsheet. The syntax for AutoSum is the same as the SUM function. =SUM( Number1, Number2, ... Number255 ) Up to 255 numbers can be entered into the function. Example Using Excel's AutoSum Feature: Note: For help with this example, see the image above. 1. Enter the following data into cells C1 to C6: 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 Make sure that cell C7 - the location where the results will be displayed is blank. Drag select cells C1 to C6 in the spreadsheet. Click on the Home tab. Click on the AutoSum button on the ribbon to enter the SUM function into cell C7.

2. 3. 4. 5.

6. Press the ENTER key on the keyboard to accept the function.

7. The answer 81 should appear in cell C7. 8. Click on cell C7 and the complete function = SUM (C1 : C6) appears in the formula barabove the worksheet.

y y

The AVERAGE function can be used to find the average, or arithmetic mean, of values in a selected range of cells. The function is written as follows:

= AVERAGE (argument) The argument for this function is data contained in the selected range of cells. Example Using Excel's AVERAGE Function: Note: For help with this example, see the image to the right. 1. Enter the following data into cells C1 to C6: 11,12,13,14,15,16. 2. Click on cell C7 - the location where the results will be displayed. 3. Type " = average( " in cell C7. 4. Drag select cells C1 to C6 with the mouse pointer.

5. Type the closing bracket " ) " after the cell range in cell C7. 6. Press the ENTER key on the keyboard. 7. The answer - 13.5 - should be displayed in cell C7. 8. The complete function = AVERAGE (C1 : C6) appears in the formula bar above theworksheet.

The MIN function, one of Excels statistical functions, is used to find the smallest or minimum value in a given list of numbers orarguments. The syntax for the MIN function is: =MIN ( argument1, argument2, ... argument30 ) Argument1, argument2, ... argument30 can be numbers, named ranges, arrays, or cell references. Up to 30 arguments can be entered. Example Using Excel's MIN Function: Note: For help with this example, see the image to the right. 1. Enter the following data into cells C1 to C6: 114,165,178,143,130,167. 2. Click on cell C7 - the location where the results will be displayed. 3. Type =min( in cell C7. 4. Drag select cells C1 to C6 with the mouse pointer. 5. Type the closing bracket " ) " after the cell range in cell C7. 6. Press the ENTER key on the keyboard. 7. The answer 114 appears in cell C7. 8. The complete function =MIN(C1:C6) appears in the formula bar. The MAX function, one of Excel's statistical functions, is used to find the largest or maximum number in a given list of values orarguments. The syntax for the MAX function is: =MAX( argument1, argument2, ... argument30 ) Argument1, argument2, ... argument30 can be numbers, named ranges, arrays, or cell references. Up to 30 arguments can be entered.

Example Using Excel's MAX Function: Note: For help with this example, see the image to the right. 1. Enter the following data into cells C1 to C6: 114,165,178,143,130,167. 2. Click on cell C7 - the location where the results will be displayed. 3. Type = max( in cell C7. 4. Drag select cells C1 to C6 with the mouse pointer. 5. Type the closing bracket " ) " after the cell range in cell C7. 6. Press the ENTER key on the keyboard. 7. The answer 178 appears in cell C7. 8. The complete function = MAX ( C1 : C6 ) appears in the formula bar.

Excels IF function is one of simplest and most useful spreadsheet functions. It can fill cell fields for you based on evaluating a condition. The wizard-like function requires you to fill 3 data elements: Field Logical_test Value_if_true Value_if_false Definition A test on a cell value that is either TRUE or FALSE The value Excel will put in a cell if the test is true The value Excel will put in a cell if the test fails

Despite not having Microsoft Excel, my parents routinely employed this type of logic when calculating my allowance. Their version read: IF you empty the garbage AND mow the lawn AND wash the dishes AND walk the dog, you get your full allowance. And since I grew up in New England, this logic would change with the seasons to account for things like leaves and snow. Setting Up the IF Function Although Excel cant issue an allowance, it can calculate the amount using a logic test based on whether a cell met a condition. For example, I could create a spreadsheet with the tasks needed to get an allowance. If the task was completed, (TRUE situation) a value would be applied toward the allowance. If the task wasnt completed, (FALSE situation), nothing would be added. These examples are noted by labels (1) and (2) in the screen snap below. Using the example above, you might express the logic in the following way:

IF cell B2 equals Y, then use the rate value in cell C2 in cell D2 IF cell B2 does not equal Y, then place 0 in cell D2 To enter an IF function in a cell (Excel 2003), 1. Set up your Excel spreadsheet 2. Click in the cell where you would like to place the IF function. In my example, I used the Allowance column. 3. From the Insert menu, select Function The Insert Function dialog appears. Note: For Excel 2007 Users: Click the Formulas tab and then theInsert Function button. 4. In the Search for a function: field type if. 5. Click Go. 6. Click OK. The Function Arguments dialog appears. To enter your IF Function Arguments, 1. Make sure your cursor is in the Logical_test textbox. 2. Click the spreadsheet cell you wish to evaluate. Excel will fill in the cell address such as B2 3. Append the equals sign and your desired value in quotes. For example =Y. 4. In the Value_if_true field, type the value you would like entered in your cell if B2 equals Y. In our example, Ill click cell C3. 5. In the Value_if_false: field enter the value the cell should have if B2 does not have a Y. Ill enter 0. I could leave it blank, but the cell would show "FALSE" 6. Scan the dialog to see if the Formula result= value (label 1 below) is what you expect. If not, check to see if any errors show to the right of the fields (label 2 below). 7. Click OK. 8. Copy the formula to the other cells in your column.