Feel frustrated working with Excel? You’re not alone – the program can be intimidating for novices and experts alike. The key to understanding Excel is knowing how to use functions to your advantage. Here are 5 Excel functions used excel consultants at The Excel Experts that will save you time and effort on many projects.
AUTOSUM
Suppose you need to find the sum for data range A1:A10. The =AUTOSUM function is the easiest way to do this. Simply click on the blank cell below the column of data, and select “Autosum” from the “Formulas” tab. =SUM(A1:A10)will show up in the blank cell. If you are having difficulty understanding how this works it might be worth visiting a website like https://www.advantedge-training.com/excel-training/ for further support and training.
ROUNDUP
If the sum of data range A1:A10 has too many decimal points, you can use the =ROUNDUP() function. Select the cell containing the sum, and type in the following formula: =ROUNDUP(SUM(A1:A10),0). The sum will contain no decimal places. If you type =ROUNDUP(SUM(A1:A10),1), the sum will have one decimal place.
MAX & MIN
If you need to know the highest or lowest value in a range of data, the =MAX() and =MIN() functions are a painless solution. They work just like the =AUTOSUM formula: select the blank cell under the data column, and type in either =MAX() or =MIN(). The =MAX() function finds the largest number in the range, while =MIN() gives you the smallest.
AVERAGE
If you’re a college student, you’re probably stressed about your grade point average (GPA). The =AVERAGE function is ideal for this situation. Enter your grades in a spreadsheet column. Click the blank cell below the column, and go to the “Formulas” tab. On the dropdown menu below “Autosum,” select “Average.”
SORT
The =SORT() function is handy for organizing data. Say you want to arrange a column of names alphabetically. Select a name, and go to the “Data” tab. Click the “Sort A to Z” button. You can also use “Sort Z to A” for the reverse effect.
=SORT() can also be used for number lists. For example, column A contains numerals that need organized from smallest to largest. Make sure the column is highlighted, and select the “Sort” button. A new window opens with dropdowns for “column,” “sort on,” and “order.” In this case, you would want “column” to be column A; “sort on” to be “cell values”; and “order” to be “smallest to largest”.
For more information, seek Microsoft Excel help from specialists who have a wide range of consultancy services and advice on all things spreadsheets and Microsoft Excel.
