Using Formulas

Formulas use a spreadsheet's ability to calculate information from existing data. Some examples of formulas would be totaling a sum of numbers, determining averages, calculating total costs based on quantities and prices, etc.

All formulas begin with the equals (=) sign. When you enter the equals sign into a spreadsheet cell, you are telling the spreadsheet that it should calculate the items that follow.

Formulas are a form of computer programming. Although many are very simple, they must be input in a format that the computer understands. The technical way to say this, is that the formulas must follow the correct syntax in order to be successful.

Here are some examples of formulas that you might put into a spreadsheet cell:

=a1+a3+a7+a9 this would add the values found in the cells A1, A3, A7, and A9 to find their total

=sum(D4:D34) this will return the total of any values found in D4, D5, D6... through D34

=average(e2:k2) this will calculate and return the average of the values in E2, F2,.. through K2