Most Important Functions in Excel

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Excel is probably one of the most important software for office workers because it allows them to easily do complex calculations, which would usually require specialized software. By simply adding functions together to create a formula, you will have a powerful tool to do complex calculations. Even better, you can drag the formula along an entire column or row and replicate it throughout every box.

However, because Excel has a vast compendium of functions, some of these functions are extremely complex. Beginners might have a difficult time learning to remember and to use these functions in an actual formula. In order to help you navigate through Excel, we have picked out five of the most important functions in Excel. Allow us to show you how to use them in the article below.

Sum function

Formula: =Sum(value 1, value 2, etc.)

This is probably the simplest, yet one of the most important functions in Excel. It allows you to add up values together to get a total sum of all values. There are endless possibilities with this function, as we use addition in a lot of our daily tasks. By letting Excel do the math for you, you don’t have to manually re-input all values in the formula again, thus saving you a lot of time.

If function

Formula: =If(criteria, value if true, value if false)

This function has a wide variety of uses in Excel, which is why it is an indispensable tool when you explore Excel. The If function will let you set up a basic logic comparison, and then give out different values depending on whether the criteria are met or not, making it quite effective in organizing data. Because it is effective in sorting out data and leaving out the ones that you don’t need, the If function is a valuable tool for any analyst who mainly uses Excel.

Average function

Formula: =Average(value 1, value 2, etc.)

The Average function is another function that deals with calculations. However, instead of just adding up the values together like the Sum function, this function goes another step to divide the total sum by the number of addends. This function helps with getting the average amount of something. Accountants will find this function particularly helpful.

VLookup function

Formula: =Vlookup(lookup value, table array, column index number, lookup range)

VLookup function is quite a complex one. It allows you to search for something starting from the leftmost column of a table range, and return it as a value. It is a very complex function that requires certain training before you can master it, but once you do, you can easily track data without fear of mixing things up.

Countif

Formula: =Countif(range, criteria)

Countif is the combination of the Count function, which counts the number of values in a certain range, and the If function. The Countif function only counts values that pass the criteria, so it is another great tool to utilize when you have to sort your data by categories.

Excel offers you so many ways to organize your data and to keep your processes semi-automated. The key to a good Excel sheet lies in the formulas used on that sheet, and if you can master these formulas, you can do anything with Excel.