Excel Function Dictionary

1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley

Documentation
Page 1 of 212
What Is In The Dictionary ?
This workbook contains 157 worksheets, each explaining the purpose and usage of
particular Excel functions.
There are also a number of sample worksheets which are simple models of common
applications, such as Timesheet and Date Calculations.
Formatting
Each worksheet uses the same type of formatting to indicate the various types of entry.
North Text headings are shown in grey.
100
100 Data is shown as purple text on a yellow background.
100
300 The results of Formula are shown as blue on yellow.
=SUM(C13:C15) The formula used in the calulations is shown as blue text.
The Arial font is used exclusivley throughout the workbook and should display correctly
with any installation of Windows.
Each sheet has been designed to be as simple as possible, with no fancy macros to
accomplish the desrired result.
Printing
Each worksheet is set to print on to A4 portrait.
The printouts will have the column headings of A,B,C... and the row numbers 1,2,3... which
will assist with the reading of the formula.
The ideal printer would be a laser set at 600dpi.
If you are using a dot matrix or inkjet, it may be worth switching off the colours before printing,
as these will print as dark grey. (See the sheet dealing with Colour settings).
Protection
Each sheet is unprotected so that you will be able to change values and experiment
with the calculations.
Macros
There are only a few very simple macros which are used by the various buttons to
naviagte through the sheets. These have been written very simply, and do not make any attempt
to change your current Toolbars and Menus.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
Instructions
Page 2 of 212
What Do The Buttons Do ?
View
View
This button will display the worksheet
containing the function example.

1. Click on the function name, then
2. Click on the View button.
Sort
This button sorts the list of functions
into alphabetical order.
Sort
Category
This describes the category the
function is a member of.

Click this button to sort alphabetically.
Category
Location
This shows where the function is
stored in Excel.

Built-in indicates that the function
is part of Excel itself.

Analysis ToolPak indicates the
function is stored in the Analysis
ToolPak add-in.

Click this button to sort alphabetically.
Location
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
Colours
Page 3 of 212
Using Different Monitor Settings
Each sheet has been designed to fit within the visible width of monitors with a low resolution
of 640 x 480. This ensures that you do not need to scroll from left and right to see all the data.
The colours are best suited to monitors capable of 256 colours.
On monitors using just 16 colours the greys may look a bit rough!
You can switch colours off and on using the button below.
This may take a
few minutes on
any computer !
Sample Colour Scheme
North South East West Total
Alan 100 100 100 100 400
Bob 100 100 100 100 400
Carol 100 100 100 100 400
Total 300 300 300 300 1200
Colour On
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
Analysis ToolPak
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Analysis ToolPak
What Is The Analysis ToolPak ?
The Analysis ToolPak is an add-in file containing
extra functions which are not built in to Excel.
The functions cover areas such as Date and
Mathematical operations.
The Analysis ToolPak must be added-in to Excel before
these functions will be available.
Any formula using these functions without the ToolPak loaded will show the #NAME error.
Check For Analysis
Analysis ToolPak
Load the Analysis ToolPak
UnLoad the Analysis
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
FunctionList
Page 5 of 212
Age Calculation Sample Sample Using DATEDIF()
AutoSum shortcut key Sample Sample Using Alt and =
Brackets in formula Sample Sample Sample
FileName formula Sample Sample Using MID() CELL() and FIND()
Instant Charts Sample Sample Using F11
Ordering Stock Sample Sample Stock Ordering
Percentages Sample Sample How to calculate various percentages
Project Dates Sample Sample Example using date calculation.
Show all formula Sample Sample Using Ctrl and `
Split ForenameSurname Sample Sample Using LEFT() RIGHT() FIND() SUBSTITUTE()
Time Calculation Sample Sample How to calculate time.
TimeSheet For Flexi Sample Sample Example flexi time sheet.
ABS Mathematical Built-in Returns the absolute value of a number
AND Logical Built-in Returns TRUE if all its arguments are TRUE
AVERAGE Statistical Built-in Returns the average of its arguments
BIN2DEC Engineering Analysis ToolPak Converts a binary number to decimal
CEILING Mathematical Built-in Rounds a number to the nearest integer or to the nearest multiple of significance
CELL Information Built-in Returns information about the formatting, location, or contents of a cell
CHAR Text Built-in Returns the character specified by the code number
CHOOSE Lookup Built-in Chooses a value from a list of values
CLEAN Text Built-in Removes all nonprintable characters from text
CODE Text Built-in Returns a numeric code for the first character in a text string
COMBIN Mathematical Built-in Returns the number of combinations for a given number of objects
CONCATENATE Text Built-in Joins several text items into one text item
CONVERT Engineering Analysis ToolPak Converts a number from one measurement system to another
CORREL Statistical Built-in Returns the correlation coefficient between two data sets
COUNT Statistical Built-in Counts how many numbers are in the list of arguments
COUNTA Statistical Built-in Counts how many values are in the list of arguments
COUNTBLANK Information Built-in Counts the number of blank cells within a range
COUNTIF Mathematical Built-in Counts the number of nonblank cells within a range that meet the given criteria
DATE Date Built-in Returns the serial number of a particular date
DATEDIF Date Built-in Calculates the difference between two dates. Undocumented in v5/7/97
DATEVALUE Date Built-in Converts a date in the form of text to a serial number
DAVERAGE Database Built-in Returns the average of selected database entries
DAY Date Built-in Converts a serial number to a day of the month
DAYS360 Date Built-in Calculates the number of days between two dates based on a 360-day year
DB Financial Built-in Returns the depreciation of an asset for a specified period using the fixed-declining balance method
DCOUNT Database Built-in Counts the cells that contain numbers in a database
DCOUNTA Database Built-in Counts nonblank cells in a database
DEC2BIN Engineering Analysis ToolPak Converts a decimal number to binary
DEC2HEX Engineering Analysis ToolPak Converts a decimal number to hexadecimal
DELTA Engineering Analysis ToolPak Tests whether two values are equal
DGET Database Built-in Extracts from a database a single record that matches the specified criteria
DMAX Database Built-in Returns the maximum value from selected database entries
DMIN Database Built-in Returns the minimum value from selected database entries
DOLLAR Text Built-in Converts a number to text, using currency format
DSUM Database Built-in Adds the numbers in the field column of records in the database that match the criteria
EDATE Date Analysis ToolPak Returns the serial number of the date that is the indicated number of months before or after the start date
EOMONTH Date Analysis ToolPak Returns the serial number of the last day of the month before or after a specified number of months
ERROR.TYPE Information Built-in Returns a number corresponding to an error type
EVEN Mathematical Built-in Rounds a number up to the nearest even integer
EXACT Text Built-in Checks to see if two text values are identical
FACT Mathematical Built-in Returns the factorial of a number
FIND Text Built-in Finds one text value within another (case-sensitive)
FIXED Text Built-in Formats a number as text with a fixed number of decimals
FLOOR Mathematical Built-in Rounds a number down, toward zero
FORECAST Statistical Built-in Returns a value along a linear trend
FREQUENCY Statistical Built-in Returns a frequency distribution as a vertical array
GCD Mathematical Analysis ToolPak Returns the greatest common divisor
GESTEP Engineering Analysis ToolPak Tests whether a number is greater than a threshold value
GROWTH Statistical Built-in Returns values along an exponential trend
HEX2DEC Engineering Analysis ToolPak Converts a hexadecimal number to decimal
HLOOKUP Lookup Built-in Looks in the top row of an array and returns the value of the indicated cell
HOUR Date Built-in Converts a serial number to an hour
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
FunctionList
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IF Logical Built-in Specifies a logical test to perform
INDEX Lookup Built-in Uses an index to choose a value from a reference or array
INDIRECT Lookup Built-in Returns a reference indicated by a text value
INFO Information Built-in Returns information about the current operating environment
INT Mathematical Built-in Rounds a number down to the nearest integer
ISBLANK Information Built-in Returns TRUE if the value is blank
ISERR Information Built-in Returns TRUE if the value is any error value except #N/A
ISERROR Information Built-in Returns TRUE if the value is any error value
ISEVEN Information Analysis ToolPak Returns TRUE if the number is even
ISLOGICAL Information Built-in Returns TRUE if the value is a logical value
ISNA Information Built-in Returns TRUE if the value is the #N/A error value
ISNONTEXT Information Built-in Returns TRUE if the value is not text
ISNUMBER Information Built-in Returns TRUE if the value is a number
ISODD Information Analysis ToolPak Returns TRUE if the number is odd
ISREF Information Built-in Returns TRUE if the value is a reference
ISTEXT Information Built-in Returns TRUE if the value is text
LARGE Statistical Built-in Returns the k-th largest value in a data set
LCM Mathematical Analysis ToolPak Returns the least common multiple
LEFT Text Built-in Returns the leftmost characters from a text value
LEN Text Built-in Returns the number of characters in a text string
LOOKUP (vector) Lookup Built-in Looks up values in a vector or array
LOWER Text Built-in Converts text to lowercase
MATCH Lookup Built-in Looks up values in a reference or array
MAX Statistical Built-in Returns the maximum value in a list of arguments
MEDIAN Statistical Built-in Returns the median of the given numbers
MID Text Built-in Returns a specific number of characters from a text string starting at the position you specify
MIN Statistical Built-in Returns the minimum value in a list of arguments
MINUTE Date Built-in Converts a serial number to a minute
MINVERSE Mathematical Built-in Returns the matrix inverse of an array
MMULT Mathematical Built-in Returns the matrix product of two arrays
MOD Mathematical Built-in Returns the remainder from division
MODE Statistical Built-in Returns the most common value in a data set
MONTH Date Built-in Converts a serial number to a month
MROUND Mathematical Analysis ToolPak Returns a number rounded to the desired multiple
N Information Built-in Returns a value converted to a number
NA Information Built-in Returns the error value #N/A
NETWORKDAYS Date Analysis ToolPak Returns the number of whole workdays between two dates
NOT Logical Built-in Reverses the logic of its argument
NOW Date Built-in Returns the serial number of the current date and time
ODD Mathematical Built-in Rounds a number up to the nearest odd integer
OR Logical Built-in Returns TRUE if any argument is TRUE
PERMUT Statistical Built-in Returns the number of permutations for a given number of objects
PI Mathematical Built-in Returns the value of Pi
POWER Mathematical Built-in Returns the result of a number raised to a power
PRODUCT Mathematical Built-in Multiplies its arguments
PROPER Text Built-in Capitalises the first letter in each word of a text value
QUARTILE Statistical Built-in Returns the quartile of a data set
QUOTIENT Mathematical Analysis ToolPak Returns the integer portion of a division
RAND Mathematical Built-in Returns a random number between 0 and 1
RANDBETWEEN Mathematical Analysis ToolPak Returns a random number between the numbers you specify
RANK Statistical Built-in Returns the rank of a number in a list of numbers
REPLACE Text Built-in Replaces characters within text
REPT Text Built-in Repeats text a given number of times
RIGHT Text Built-in Returns the rightmost characters from a text value
ROMAN Mathematical Built-in Converts an arabic numeral to roman, as text
ROUND Mathematical Built-in Rounds a number to a specified number of digits
ROUNDDOWN Mathematical Built-in Rounds a number down, toward zero
ROUNDUP Mathematical Built-in Rounds a number up, away from zero
SECOND Date Built-in Converts a serial number to a second
SIGN Mathematical Built-in Returns the sign of a number
SLN Financial Built-in Returns the straight-line depreciation of an asset for one period
SMALL Statistical Built-in Returns the k-th smallest value in a data set
STDEV Statistical Built-in Estimates standard deviation based on a sample
STDEVP Statistical Built-in Calculates standard deviation based on the entire population
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
FunctionList
Page 7 of 212
SUBSTITUTE Text Built-in Substitutes new text for old text in a text string
SUBTOTAL Mathematical Built-in Returns a subtotal in a list or database
SUM Mathematical Built-in Adds its arguments
SUM_as_Running_Total Mathematical Built-in Sample
SUM_using_names Sample Sample Using SUM(jan)
SUM_with_OFFSET Lookup Built-in Sample
SUMIF Mathematical Built-in Adds the cells specified by a given criteria
SUMPRODUCT Mathematical Built-in Returns the sum of the products of corresponding array components
SYD Financial Built-in Returns the sum-of-years' digits depreciation of an asset for a specified period
T Text Built-in Converts its arguments to text
TEXT Text Built-in Formats a number and converts it to text
TIME Date Built-in Returns the serial number of a particular time
-Timesheet Sample Sample Sample
TIMEVALUE Date Built-in Converts a time in the form of text to a serial number
TODAY Date Built-in Returns the serial number of today's date
TRANSPOSE Lookup Built-in Returns the transpose of an array
TREND Statistical Built-in Returns values along a linear trend
TRIM Text Built-in Removes spaces from text
TRUNC Mathematical Built-in Truncates a number to an integer
TYPE Information Built-in Returns a number indicating the data type of a value
UPPER Text Built-in Converts text to uppercase
VALUE Text Built-in Converts a text argument to a number
VAR Statistical Built-in Estimates variance based on a sample
VARP Statistical Built-in Calculates variance based on the entire population
VLOOKUP Lookup Built-in Looks in the first column of an array and moves across the row to return the value of a cell
WEEKDAY Date Built-in Converts a serial number to a day of the week
WORKDAY Date Analysis ToolPak Returns the serial number of the date before or after a specified number of workdays
YEAR Date Built-in Converts a serial number to a year
YEARFRAC Date Analysis ToolPak Returns the year fraction representing the number of whole days between start_date and end_date
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
FunctionList
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FunctionList
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FunctionList
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FunctionList
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FunctionList
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FunctionList
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FunctionList
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Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
Time Calculation
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A B C D E F G H I J
Time Calculation
Excel can work with time very easily.
Time can be entered in various different formats and calculations performed.
There are one or two oddities, but nothing which should put you off working with it.
See the TimeSheet example for an example.
Typing time
When time is entered into worksheet it should be entered with a colon between
the hour and the minutes, such as 12:30, rather than 12.30
1:30 12:30 20:15 22:45
Excel can cope with either the 24hour system or the am/pm system.
To use the am/pm system you must enter the am or pm after the time.
You must leave a space between the number and the text.
1:30 AM 1:30 PM 10:15 AM 10:15 PM
Finding the difference between two times
You can subtract two time values to find the length of time between.
Start End Duration
1:30 2:30 1:00 =D24-C24
8:00 17:00 9:00 =D25-C25
8:00 AM 5:00 PM 9:00 AM If the result is not shown correctly,
You may need to reformat the answer.
Look at the section about formatting
further in this worksheet.
Adding time
You can add time to find a total time.
This works well until the total time goes above 24 hours.
For totals greater than 24 hours you may need to apply some special formatting.
Start End Duration
1:30 2:30 1:00
8:00 17:00 9:00
7:30 AM 5:45 PM 10:15
20:15
Formatting time
When time is added together the result may go beyond 24 hours.
Usually this gives an incorrect result, as in the example below.
To correct this error, the result needs to be formatted with a Custom format.
Example 1 : Incorrect formatting
Start End Duration
7:00 18:30 11:30
8:00 17:00 9:00
7:30 17:45 10:15
Total 6:45 =SUM(E49:E51)
Example 2 : Correct formatting
Start End Duration
7:00 18:30 11:30
8:00 17:00 9:00
7:30 17:45 10:15
Total 30:45 =SUM(E56:E58)
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
Time Calculation
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How To Apply Custom Formatting
The custom format for time use a pair of square brackets [hh] on either side
of the hours indicators.
1. Click on the cell which needs the format.
2. Choose the Format menu.
3. Choose Cells.
4. Click the Number tag at the top right.
5. Choose Custom.
6. Click inside the Type: box.
7. Type [hh]:mm as the format.
8. Click OK to confirm.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
TimeSheet For Flexi
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A B C D E F G H I J K
TimeSheet for Flexi
Week beginning Mon 05-Jan-98 Normal Hours 37:30
Day Arrive Lunch Out Lunch In Depart Total
Mon 05 8:00 13:00 14:00 17:00 8:00 =(F6-C6)-(E6-D6)
Tue 06 8:45 12:30 13:30 17:00 7:15
Wed 07 9:00 13:00 14:00 18:00 8:00
Thu 08 8:30 13:00 14:00 17:00 7:30
Fri 09 8:00 12:00 13:00 17:00 8:00
Total Hours 38:45 =SUM(G6:G10)
Under worked by - =IF(G3-G11>0,G3-G11, "-")
Over worked by 1:15 =IF(G3-G11<0,ABS(G3-G11),"-")
This is simple example of a timesheet.
Instructions :
Type the week start date in cell C3, the Week beginning.
Use the format dd/mm/yy, the name of the day will appear automatically.
The date is then passed down to the Day column.
Type the amount of hours you are expected to work in G3, the Normal Hours.
This is used later to calculate if have worked over or under the required hours.
Type the times you arrive and leave work in the appropriate columns.
Use the format of hh:mm.
Note
The Total Hours cell has been formatted as [hh]:mm.
This ensures the total hours can be expressed as a value above 24 hours.
If the [hh]:mm format had not been used the Total Hours would show as : 14:45
If the [hh]:mm format does not show in the cell format dialog box
on your computer, it can be created using Format, Cells, Number, Custom.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
Split ForenameSurname
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A B C D E F G H
Split Forename and Surname
The following formula are useful when you have one cell containing text which needs
to be split up.
One of the most common examples of this is when a persons Forename and Surname
are entered in full into a cell.
The formula use various text functions to accomplish the task.
Each of the techniques uses the space between the names to identify where to split.
Finding the First Name
Full Name First Name
Alan Jones Alan =LEFT(C14,FIND(" ",C14,1))
Bob Smith Bob =LEFT(C15,FIND(" ",C15,1))
Carol Williams Carol =LEFT(C16,FIND(" ",C16,1))
Finding the Last Name
Full Name Last Name
Alan Jones Jones =RIGHT(C22,LEN(C22)-FIND(" ",C22))
Bob Smith Smith =RIGHT(C23,LEN(C23)-FIND(" ",C23))
Carol Williams Williams =RIGHT(C24,LEN(C24)-FIND(" ",C24))
Finding the Last name when a Middle name is present
The formula above cannot handle any more than two names.
If there is also a middle name, the last name formula will be incorrect.
To solve the problem you have to use a much longer calculation.
Full Name Last Name
Alan David Jones Jones
Bob John Smith Smith
Carol Susan Williams Williams
=RIGHT(C37,LEN(C37)-FIND("#",SUBSTITUTE(C37," ","#",LEN(C37)-LEN(SUBSTITUTE(C37," ","")))))
Finding the Middle name
Full Name Middle Name
Alan David Jones David
Bob John Smith John
Carol Susan Williams Susan
=LEFT(RIGHT(C45,LEN(C45)-FIND(" ",C45,1)),FIND(" ",RIGHT(C45,LEN(C45)-FIND(" ",C45,1)),1))
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
Percentages
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A B C D E F G H I J
Percentages
There are no specific functions for calculating percentages.
You have to use the skills you were taught in your maths class at school!
Finding a percentage of a value
Initial value 120
% to find 25%
Percentage value 30 =D8*D9
Example 1
A company is about to give its staff a pay rise.
The wages department need to calculate the increases.
Staff on different grades get different pay rises.
Grade % Rise
A 10%
B 15%
C 20%
Name Grade Old Salary Increase
Alan A 10,000 1,000 =E23*LOOKUP(D23,$C$18:$C$20,$D$18:$D$20)
Bob B 20,000 3,000 =E24*LOOKUP(D24,$C$18:$C$20,$D$18:$D$20)
Carol C 30,000 6,000 =E25*LOOKUP(D25,$C$18:$C$20,$D$18:$D$20)
David B 25,000 3,750 =E26*LOOKUP(D26,$C$18:$C$20,$D$18:$D$20)
Elaine C 32,000 6,400 =E27*LOOKUP(D27,$C$18:$C$20,$D$18:$D$20)
Frank A 12,000 1,200 =E28*LOOKUP(D28,$C$18:$C$20,$D$18:$D$20)
Finding a percentage increase
Initial value 120
% increase 25%
Increased value 150 =D33*D34+D33
Example 2
A company is about to give its staff a pay rise.
The wages department need to calculate the new salary including the % increase.
Staff on different grades get different pay rises.
Grade % Rise
A 10%
B 15%
C 20%
Name Grade Old Salary Increase
Alan A 10,000 11,000 =E48*LOOKUP(D48,$C$18:$C$20,$D$18:$D$20)+E48
Bob B 20,000 23,000 =E49*LOOKUP(D49,$C$18:$C$20,$D$18:$D$20)+E49
Carol C 30,000 36,000 =E50*LOOKUP(D50,$C$18:$C$20,$D$18:$D$20)+E50
David B 25,000 28,750 =E51*LOOKUP(D51,$C$18:$C$20,$D$18:$D$20)+E51
Elaine C 32,000 38,400 =E52*LOOKUP(D52,$C$18:$C$20,$D$18:$D$20)+E52
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
Percentages
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A B C D E F G H I J
Frank A 12,000 13,200 =E53*LOOKUP(D53,$C$18:$C$20,$D$18:$D$20)+E53
Finding one value as percentage of another
Value A 120
Value B 60
A as % of B 50% =D59/D58
You will need to format the result as % by using the % button
on the toolbar.
Example 3
An manager has been asked to submit budget requirements for next year.
The manger needs to specify what will be required each quarter.
The manager knows what has been spent by each region in the previous year.
By analysing the past years spending, the manager hopes to predict
what will need to be spent in the next year.
Last years figures
Region Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
North 9,000 2,000 9,000 7,000
South 7,000 4,000 9,000 5,000
East 2,000 8,000 7,000 3,000
West 8,000 9,000 6,000 5,000 Total
Total 26,000 23,000 31,000 20,000 100,000
Last years Quarters as % of last years Total
Region Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
North 9% 2% 9% 7% =G74/$H$78
South 7% 4% 9% 5% =G75/$H$78
East 2% 8% 7% 3% =G76/$H$78
West 8% 9% 6% 5% =G77/$H$78
Total 26% 23% 31% 20% =G78/$H$78
Next years budget 150,000
Next years estimated budget requirements
Region Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
North 13,500 3,000 13,500 10,500 =G82*$E$88
South 10,500 6,000 13,500 7,500 =G83*$E$88
East 3,000 12,000 10,500 4,500 =G84*$E$88
West 12,000 13,500 9,000 7,500 Total
Total 39,000 34,500 46,500 30,000 150,000
Finding an original value after an increase has been applied
Increased value 150
% increase 25%
Original value 120 =D100/(100%+D101)
Example 4
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
Percentages
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A B C D E F G H I J
An employ has to submit an expenses claim for travelling and accommodation.
The claim needs to show the VAT tax portion of each receipt.
Unfortunately the receipts held by the employee only show the total amount.
The employee needs to split this total to show the original value and the VAT amount.
VAT rate 17.50%
Receipt Total Actual Value Vat Value
Petrol 10.00 8.51 1.49 =D113-D113/(100%+$D$110)
Hotel 235.00 200.00 35.00
Petrol 117.50 100.00 17.50
=D115/(100%+$D$110)
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
Show all formula
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A B C D E F G H
Show all formula
You can view all the formula on the worksheet by pressing Ctrl and `.
The ' is the left single quote usually found on the key to left of number 1.
Press Ctrl and ` to see the formula below. (The screen may look a bit odd.)
Press the same combination to see the original view.
10 20 30
30 40 70
50 60 60
70 80 30
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
SUM_using_names
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A B C D E F G H
SUM using names
You can use the names typed at the top of columns or side of rows in calculations
simply by typing the name into the formula.
Try this example:
Go to cell C16 and then enter the formula =SUM(jan)
The result will show.
This formula can be copied to D16 and E16, and the names change to Feb and Mar.
Jan Feb Mar
North 45 50 50
South 30 25 35
East 35 10 50
West 20 50 5
Total
If it does not work !
The feature may have been switched off on your computer.
You can switch it on by using Tools, Options, Calculation, Accept Labels in Formula.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
Instant Charts
Page 24 of 212
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A B C D E F G H
Instant Charts
You can create a chart quickly without having to use the chart button on
the toolbar by pressing the function key F11 whilst inside a range of data.
Jan Feb Mar
North 45 50 50
South 30 25 35
East 35 10 50
West 20 50 5
Click anywhere inside the table above.
Then press F11.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
Filename formula
Page 25 of 212
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A B C D E F G
Filename formula
There may be times when you need to insert the name of the current workbook
or worksheet in to a cell.
This can be done by using the CELL() function, shown below.
\\vboxsrv\conversion_tmp\scratch_1\[232096163.xls.ms_office.xls]FunctionList
=CELL("filename")
The problem with this is that it gives the complete path including drive letter and folders.
To just pick out the workbook or worksheet name you need to use text functions.
To pick the Path.
\\vboxsrv\conversion_tmp\scratch_1\
=MID(CELL("filename"),1,FIND("[",CELL("filename"))-1)
To pick the Workbook name.
232096163.xls.ms_office.xls
=MID(CELL("filename"),FIND("[",CELL("filename"))+1,FIND("]",CELL("filename"))-FIND("[",CELL("filename"))-1)
To pick the Worksheet name.
FunctionList
=MID(CELL("filename"),FIND("]",CELL("filename"))+1,255)
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
Brackets in formula
Page 26 of 212
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A B C D E F G H
Brackets in formula
Sometimes you will need to use brackets, (also known as 'braces'), in formula.
This is to ensure that the calculations are performed in the order that you need.
The need for brackets occurs when you mix plus or minus with divide or multiply.
Mathematically speaking the * and / are more important than + and - .
The * and / operations will be calculated before + and - .
Example 1 : The wrong answer !
10
20
2
50 =C12+C13*C14
You may expect that 10 + 20 would equal 30
And then 30 * 2 would equal 60
But because the * is calculated first Excel sees the
calculation as 20 * 2 resulting in 40
And then 10 + 40 resulting in 50
Example 2 : The correct answer.
10
20
2
60 =(C27+C28)*C29
By placing brackets around (10+20) Excel performs this
part of the calulation first, resulting in 30
Then the 30 is multipled by 2 resulting in 60
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
Age Calculation
Page 27 of 212
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A B C D E F G H
Age Calculation
You can calculate a persons age based on their birthday and todays date.
The calculation uses the DATEDIF() function.
The DATEDIF() is not documented in Excel 5, 7 or 97, but it is in 2000.
(Makes you wonder what else Microsoft forgot to tell us!)
Birth date : 1-Jan-60
Years lived : 54 =DATEDIF(C8,TODAY(),"y")
and the months : 5 =DATEDIF(C8,TODAY(),"ym")
and the days : 1 =DATEDIF(C8,TODAY(),"md")
You can put this all together in one calculation, which creates a text version.
Age is 54 Years, 5 Months and 1 Days
="Age is "&DATEDIF(C8,TODAY(),"y")&" Years, "&DATEDIF(C8,TODAY(),"ym")&" Months and "&DATEDIF(C8,TODAY(),"md")&" Days"
Another way to calculate age
This method gives you an age which may potentially have decimal places representing the months.
If the age is 20.5, the .5 represents 6 months.
Birth date : 1-Jan-60
Age is : 54.42 =(TODAY()-C23)/365.25
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
AutoSum Shortcut Key
Page 28 of 212
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A B C D E F G H
AutoSum Shortcut Key
Instead of using the AutoSum button from the toolbar,
you can press Alt and = to achieve the same result.
Try it here :
Move to a blank cell in the Total row or column, then press Alt and =.
or
Select a row, column or all cells and then press Alt and =.
Jan Feb Mar Total
North 10 50 90
South 20 60 100
East 30 70 200
West 40 80 300
Total
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
ABS
Page 29 of 212
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A B C D E F G H
ABS
Number Absolute Value
10 10 =ABS(C4)
-10 10 =ABS(C5)
1.25 1.25 =ABS(C6)
-1.25 1.25 =ABS(C7)
What Does it Do ?
This function calculates the value of a number, irrespective of whether it is positive or negative.
Syntax
=ABS(CellAddress or Number)
Formatting
The result will be shown as a number, no special formatting is needed.
Example
The following table was used by a company testing a machine which cuts timber.
The machine needs to cut timber to an exact length.
Three pieces of timber were cut and then measured.
In calculating the difference between the Required Length and the Actual Length it does
not matter if the wood was cut too long or short, the measurement needs to be expressed as
an absolute value.
Table 1 shows the original calculations.
The Difference for Test 3 is shown as negative, which has a knock on effect
when the Error Percentage is calculated.
Whether the wood was too long or short, the percentage should still be expressed
as an absolute value.
Table 1
Test
Cut
Required
Length
Actual
Length
Difference
Error
Percentage
Test 1 120 120 0 0%
Test 2 120 90 30 25%
Test 3 120 150 -30 -25%
=D36-E36
Table 2 shows the same data but using the =ABS() function to correct the calculations.
Table 2
Test
Cut
Required
Length
Actual
Length
Difference
Error
Percentage
Test 1 120 120 0 0%
Test 2 120 90 30 25%
Test 3 120 150 30 25%
=ABS(D45-E45)
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
ADDRESS
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A B C D E F G H I
ADDRESS
Type a column number : 2
Type a row number : 3
Type a sheet name : Hello
$B$3 =ADDRESS(F4,F3,1,TRUE)
B$3 =ADDRESS(F4,F3,2,TRUE)
$B3 =ADDRESS(F4,F3,3,TRUE)
B3 =ADDRESS(F4,F3,4,TRUE)
R3C2 =ADDRESS(F4,F3,1,FALSE)
R3C[2] =ADDRESS(F4,F3,2,FALSE)
R[3]C2 =ADDRESS(F4,F3,3,FALSE)
R[3]C[2] =ADDRESS(F4,F3,4,FALSE)
Hello!$B$3 =ADDRESS(F4,F3,1,TRUE,F5)
Hello!B$3 =ADDRESS(F4,F3,2,TRUE,F5)
Hello!$B3 =ADDRESS(F4,F3,3,TRUE,F5)
Hello!B3 =ADDRESS(F4,F3,4,TRUE,F5)
What Does It Do ?
This function creates a cell reference as a piece of text, based on a row and column
numbers given by the user.
This type of function is used in macros rather than on the actual worksheet.
Syntax
=ADDRESS(RowNumber,ColNumber,Absolute,A1orR1C1,SheetName)
The RowNumber is the normal row number from 1 to 16384.
The ColNumber is from 1 to 256, cols A to IV.
The Absolute can be 1,2,3 or 4.
When 1 the reference will be in the form $A$1, column and row absolute.
When 2 the reference will be in the form A$1, only the row absolute.
When 3 the reference will be in the form $A1, only the column absolute.
When 4 the reference will be in the form A1, neither col or row absolute.
The A1orR1C1 is either TRUE of FALSE.
When TRUE the reference will be in the form A1, the normal style for cell addresses.
When FALSE the reference will be in the form R1C1, the alternative style of cell address.
The SheetName is a piece of text to be used as the worksheet name in the reference.
The SheetName does not actually have to exist.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
AND
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A B C D E F G H I
AND
Items To Test Result
500 800 TRUE =AND(C4>=100,D4>=100)
500 25 FALSE =AND(C5>=100,D5>=100)
25 500 FALSE =AND(C6>=100,D6>=100)
12 TRUE =AND(D7>=1,D7<=52)
What Does It Do?
This function tests two or more conditions to see if they are all true.
It can be used to test that a series of numbers meet certain conditions.
It can be used to test that a number or a date falls between an upper and lower limit.
Normally the AND() function would be used in conjunction with a function such as =IF().
Syntax
=AND(Test1,Test2)
Note that there can be up to 30 possible tests.
Formatting
When used by itself it will show TRUE or FALSE.
Example 1
The following example shows a list of examination results.
The teacher wants to find the pupils who scored above average in all three exams.
The =AND() function has been used to test that each score is above the average.
The result of TRUE is shown for pupils who have scored above average in all three exams.
Name Maths English Physics Passed
Alan 80 75 85 TRUE
Bob 50 30 40 FALSE
Carol 60 70 50 FALSE
David 90 85 95 TRUE
Eric 20 30 Absent FALSE
Fred 40 60 80 FALSE
Gail 10 90 80 FALSE
Harry 80 70 60 TRUE
Ian 30 10 20 FALSE
Janice 10 20 30 FALSE
=AND(C38>=AVERAGE($C$29:$C$38),D38>=AVERAGE($D$29:$D$38),E38>=AVERAGE($E$29:$E$38))
Averages 47 54 60
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
AREAS
Page 32 of 212
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A B C D E F G H
AREAS
Pink Name Age 2 =AREAS(PeopleLists)
Alan 18
Bob 17
Carol 20
Green Name Age
David 20
Eric 16
Fred 19
What Does It Do?
This function tests a range to determine whether it is a single block of data, or whether
it is a multiple selection.
If it is a single block the result will be 1.
If it is a multiple block the result will be the number of ranges selected.
The function is designed to be used in macros.
Syntax
=AREAS(RangeToTest)
Formatting
The result will be shown as a number.
Example
The example at the top of this page shows two ranges coloured pink and green.
These ranges have been given the name PeopleLists.
The =AREAS(PeopleLists) gives a result of 2 indicating that there are two separate
selections which form the PeopleLists range.
Note
To name multiple ranges the CTRL key must be used.
In the above example the pink range was selected as normal, then the Ctrl key
was held down before selecting the green range.
When a Range Name is created it will consider both Pink and Green as being one range.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
AVERAGE
Page 33 of 212
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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N
AVERAGE
Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Average
Temp 30 31 32 29 26 28 27 29 =AVERAGE(D4:J4)
Rain 0 0 0 4 6 3 1 2 =AVERAGE(D5:J5)
Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Average
Temp 30 32 29 26 28 27 28.667 =AVERAGE(D8:J8)
Rain 0 0 4 6 3 1 2.3333 =AVERAGE(D9:J9)
Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Average
Temp 30 No 32 29 26 28 27 28.667 =AVERAGE(D12:J12)
Rain 0 Reading 0 4 6 3 1 2.3333 =AVERAGE(D13:J13)
What Does It Do ?
This function calculates the average from a list of numbers.
If the cell is blank or contains text, the cell will not be used in the average calculation.
If the cell contains zero 0, the cell will be included in the average calculation.
Syntax
=AVERAGE(Range1,Range2,Range3... through to Range30)
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Note
To calculate the average of cells which contain text or blanks use =SUM() to get the total and
then divide by the count of the entries using =COUNTA().
Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Average
Temp 30 No 32 29 26 28 27 24.571 =SUM(D31:J31)/COUNTA(D31:J31)
Rain 0 Reading 0 4 6 3 1 2 =SUM(D32:J32)/COUNTA(D32:J32)
Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Average
Temp 30 32 29 26 28 27 28.667 =SUM(D35:J35)/COUNTA(D35:J35)
Rain 0 0 4 6 3 1 2.3333 =SUM(D36:J36)/COUNTA(D36:J36)
Further Usage
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
BIN2DEC
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A B C D E F G H I
BIN2DEC
Binary Number Decimal Equivalent
0 0 =BIN2DEC(C4)
1 1 =BIN2DEC(C5)
10 2 =BIN2DEC(C6)
11 3 =BIN2DEC(C7)
111111111 511 =BIN2DEC(C8)
1111111111 -1 =BIN2DEC(C9)
1111111110 -2 =BIN2DEC(C10)
1111111101 -3 =BIN2DEC(C11)
1000000000 -512 =BIN2DEC(C12)
11111111111 #NUM! =BIN2DEC(C13)
What Does It Do ?
This function converts a binary number to decimal.
Negative numbers are represented using two's-complement notation.
Syntax
=BIN2DEC(BinaryNumber)
The binary number has a limit of ten characters.
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
CEILING
Page 35 of 212
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A B C D E F G H
CEILING
Number Raised Up
2.1 3 =CEILING(C4,1)
1.5 2 =CEILING(C5,1)
1.9 2 =CEILING(C6,1)
20 30 =CEILING(C7,30)
25 30 =CEILING(C8,30)
40 60 =CEILING(C9,30)
What Does It Do ?
This function rounds a number up to the nearest multiple specified by the user.
Syntax
=CEILING(ValueToRound,MultipleToRoundUpTo)
The ValueToRound can be a cell address or a calculation.
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Example 1
The following table was used by a estate agent renting holiday apartments.
The properties being rented are only available on a weekly basis.
When the customer supplies the number of days required in the property the =CEILING()
function rounds it up by a multiple of 7 to calculate the number of full weeks to be billed.
Days Required
Days To
Be Billed
Customer 1 3 7 =CEILING(D28,7)
Customer 2 4 7 =CEILING(D29,7)
Customer 3 10 14 =CEILING(D30,7)
Example 2
The following table was used by a builders merchant delivering products to a construction site.
The merchant needs to hire trucks to move each product.
Each product needs a particular type of truck of a fixed capacity.
Table 1 calculates the number of trucks required by dividing the Units To Be Moved by
the Capacity of the truck.
This results of the division are not whole numbers, and the builder cannot hire just part
of a truck.
Table 1
Item
Units To
Be Moved
Truck
Capacity
Trucks
Needed
Bricks 1000 300 3.33 =D45/E45
Wood 5000 600 8.33 =D46/E46
Cement 2000 350 5.71 =D47/E47
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
CEILING
Page 36 of 212
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A B C D E F G H
Table 2 shows how the =CEILING() function has been used to round up the result of
the division to a whole number, and thus given the exact amount of trucks needed.
Table 2
Item
Units To
Be Moved
Truck
Capacity
Trucks
Needed
Bricks 1000 300 4 =CEILING(D54/E54,1)
Wood 5000 600 9 =CEILING(D55/E55,1)
Cement 2000 350 6 =CEILING(D56/E56,1)
Example 3
The following tables were used by a shopkeeper to calculate the selling price of an item.
The shopkeeper buys products by the box.
The cost of the item is calculated by dividing the Box Cost by the Box Quantity.
The shopkeeper always wants the price to end in 99 pence.
Table 1 shows how just a normal division results in varying Item Costs.
Table 1
Item Box Qnty Box Cost Cost Per Item
Plugs 11 20 1.81818 =D69/C69
Sockets 7 18.25 2.60714 =D70/C70
Junctions 5 28.10 5.62000 =D71/C71
Adapters 16 28 1.75000 =D72/C72
Table 2 shows how the =CEILING() function has been used to raise the Item Cost to
always end in 99 pence.
Table 2
Item In Box Box Cost Cost Per Item Raised Cost
Plugs 11 20 1.81818 1.99
Sockets 7 18.25 2.60714 2.99
Junctions 5 28.10 5.62000 5.99
Adapters 16 28 1.75000 1.99
=INT(E83)+CEILING(MOD(E83,1),0.99)
Explanation
=INT(E83) Calculates the integer part of the price.
=MOD(E83,1) Calculates the decimal part of the price.
=CEILING(MOD(E83),0.99) Raises the decimal to 0.99
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
CELL
Page 37 of 213
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A B C D E F G H I
CELL
This is the cell and contents to test. 17.50%
The cell address. $D$3 =CELL("address",D3)
The column number. 4 =CELL("col",D3)
The row number. 3 =CELL("row",D3)
The actual contents of the cell. 0.175 =CELL("contents",D3)
The type of entry in the cell.
Shown as b for blank, l for text, v for value.
v =CELL("type",D3)
The alignment of the cell.
Shown as ' for left, ^ for centre, " for right.
Nothing is shown for numeric entries.
=CELL("prefix",D3)
The width of the cell. 12 =CELL("width",D3)
The number format fo the cell.
(See the table shown below)
P2 =CELL("format",D3)
Formatted for braces ( ) on positive values.
1 for yes, 0 for no.
0 =CELL("parentheses",D3)
Formatted for coloured negatives.
1 for yes, 0 for no.
0 =CELL("color",D3)
The type of cell protection.
1 for a locked, 0 for unlocked.
1 =CELL("protect",D3)
The filename containing the cell. \\vboxsrv\conversion_tmp\scratch_1\[232096163.xls.ms_office.xls]CELL
=CELL("filename",D3)
What Does It Do ?
This function examines a cell and displays information about the contents, position and formatting.
Syntax
=CELL("TypeOfInfoRequired",CellToTest)
The TypeOfInfoRequired is a text entry which must be surrounded with quotes " ".
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Codes used to show the formatting of the cell.
Numeric Format Code
General G
0 F0
#,##0 ,0
0.00 F2
#,##0.00 ,2
$#,##0_);($#,##0) C0
$#,##0_);[Red]($#,##0) C0-
$#,##0.00_);($#,##0.00) C2
$#,##0.00_);[Red]($#,##0.00) C2-
0% P0
0.00% P2
0.00E+00 S2
# ?/? or # ??/?? G
m/d/yy or m/d/yy h:mm or mm/dd/yy. D4
d-mmm-yy or dd-mmm-yy D1
d-mmm or dd-mmm D2
mmm-yy D3
mm/dd D5
h:mm AM/PM D7
h:mm:ss AM/PM D6
h:mm D9
h:mm:ss D8
Example
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
CELL
Page 38 of 213
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A B C D E F G H I
The following example uses the =CELL() function as part of a formula which extracts the filename.
The name of the current file is : 232096163.xls.ms_office.xls
=MID(CELL("filename"),FIND("[",CELL("filename"))+1,FIND("]",CELL("filename"))-FIND("[",CELL("filename"))-1)
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
CHAR
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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W
CHAR
ANSI Number Character
65 A =CHAR(G4)
66 B =CHAR(G5)
169 =CHAR(G6)
What Does It Do?
This function converts a normal number to the character it represent in the ANSI
character set used by Windows.
Syntax
=CHAR(Number)
The Number must be between 1 and 255.
Formatting
The result will be a character with no special formatting.
Example
The following is a list of all 255 numbers and the characters they represent.
Note that most Windows based program may not display some of the special characters,
these will be displayed as a small box.
1 26 51 3 76 L 101 e 126 ~ 151 176 201 226 251
2 27 52 4 77 M 102 f 127 152 177 202 227 252
3 28 53 5 78 N 103 g 128 153 178 203 228 253
4 29 54 6 79 O 104 h 129 154 179 204 229 254
5 30 55 7 80 P 105 i 130 155 180 205 230 255
6 31 56 8 81 Q 106 j 131 156 181 206 231
7 32 57 9 82 R 107 k 132 157 182 207 232
8 33 ! 58 : 83 S 108 l 133 158 183 208 233
9 34 " 59 ; 84 T 109 m 134 159 184 209 234
10 35 # 60 < 85 U 110 n 135 160 185 210 235
11 36 $ 61 = 86 V 111 o 136 161 186 211 236
12 37 % 62 > 87 W 112 p 137 162 187 212 237
13 38 & 63 ? 88 X 113 q 138 163 188 213 238
14 39 ' 64 @ 89 Y 114 r 139 164 189 214 239
15 40 ( 65 A 90 Z 115 s 140 165 190 215 240
16 41 ) 66 B 91 [ 116 t 141 166 191 216 241
17 42 * 67 C 92 \ 117 u 142 167 192 217 242
18 43 + 68 D 93 ] 118 v 143 168 193 218 243
19 44 , 69 E 94 ^ 119 w 144 169 194 219 244
20 45 - 70 F 95 _ 120 x 145 170 195 220 245
21 46 . 71 G 96 ` 121 y 146 171 196 221 246
22 47 / 72 H 97 a 122 z 147 172 197 222 247
23 48 0 73 I 98 b 123 { 148 173 - 198 223 248
24 49 1 74 J 99 c 124 | 149 174 199 224 249
25 50 2 75 K 100 d 125 } 150 175 200 225 250
Note
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
CHAR
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Number 32 does not show as it is the SPACEBAR character.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
CHOOSE
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A B C D E F G H I J
CHOOSE
Index
Value Result
1 Alan =CHOOSE(C4,"Alan","Bob","Carol")
3 Carol =CHOOSE(C5,"Alan","Bob","Carol")
2 Bob =CHOOSE(C6,"Alan","Bob","Carol")
3 18% =CHOOSE(C7,10%,15%,18%)
1 10% =CHOOSE(C8,10%,15%,18%)
2 15% =CHOOSE(C9,10%,15%,18%)
What Does It Do?
This function picks from a list of options based upon an Index value given to by the user.
Syntax
=CHOOSE(UserValue, Item1, Item2, Item3 through to Item29)
Formatting
No special formatting is required.
Example
The following table was used to calculate the medals for athletes taking part in a race.
The Time for each athlete is entered.
The =RANK() function calculates the finishing position of each athlete.
The =CHOOSE() then allocates the correct medal.
The =IF() has been used to filter out any positions above 3, as this would cause
the error of #VALUE to appear, due to the fact the =CHOOSE() has only three items in it.
Name Time Position Medal
Alan 1:30 2 Silver =IF(D30<=3,CHOOSE(D30,"Gold","Silver","Bronze"),"unplaced")
Bob 1:15 4 unplaced =IF(D31<=3,CHOOSE(D31,"Gold","Silver","Bronze"),"unplaced")
Carol 2:45 1 Gold =IF(D32<=3,CHOOSE(D32,"Gold","Silver","Bronze"),"unplaced")
David 1:05 5 unplaced =IF(D33<=3,CHOOSE(D33,"Gold","Silver","Bronze"),"unplaced")
Eric 1:20 3 Bronze =IF(D34<=3,CHOOSE(D34,"Gold","Silver","Bronze"),"unplaced")
=RANK(C34,C30:C34)
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
CLEAN
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A B C D E F G H I
CLEAN
Dirty Text Clean Text
Hello Hello =CLEAN(C4)
He llo Hello =CLEAN(C5)
Hello Hello =CLEAN(C6)
What Does It Do?
This function removes any nonprintable characters from text.
These nonprinting characters are often found in data which has been imported
from other systems such as database imports from mainframes.
Syntax
=CLEAN(TextToBeCleaned)
Formatting
No special formatting is needed. The result will show as normal text.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
CODE
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A B C D E F G H I J K
CODE
Letter ANSI Code
A 65 =CODE(C4)
B 66 =CODE(C5)
C 67 =CODE(C6)
a 97 =CODE(C7)
b 98 =CODE(C8)
c 99 =CODE(C9)
Alan 65 =CODE(C10)
Bob 66 =CODE(C11)
Carol 67 =CODE(C12)
What Does It Do?
This function shows the ANSI value of a single character, or the first character in a piece
of text.
The ANSI character set is used by Windows to identify each keyboard character by using
a unique number.
There are 255 characters in the ANSI set.
Syntax
=CODE(Text)
Formatting
No special formatting is needed, the result will be shown as a number between 1 and 255.
Example
See the example for FREQUENCY.
1 26 51 3 76 L 101 e 126 ~ 151 176 201 226 251
2 27 52 4 77 M 102 f 127 152 177 202 227 252
3 28 53 5 78 N 103 g 128 153 178 203 228 253
4 29 54 6 79 O 104 h 129 154 179 204 229 254
5 30 55 7 80 P 105 i 130 155 180 205 230 255
6 31 56 8 81 Q 106 j 131 156 181 206 231
7 32 57 9 82 R 107 k 132 157 182 207 232
8 33 ! 58 : 83 S 108 l 133 158 183 208 233
9 34 " 59 ; 84 T 109 m 134 159 184 209 234
10 35 # 60 < 85 U 110 n 135 160 185 210 235
11 36 $ 61 = 86 V 111 o 136 161 186 211 236
12 37 % 62 > 87 W 112 p 137 162 187 212 237
13 38 & 63 ? 88 X 113 q 138 163 188 213 238
14 39 ' 64 @ 89 Y 114 r 139 164 189 214 239
15 40 ( 65 A 90 Z 115 s 140 165 190 215 240
16 41 ) 66 B 91 [ 116 t 141 166 191 216 241
17 42 * 67 C 92 \ 117 u 142 167 192 217 242
18 43 + 68 D 93 ] 118 v 143 168 193 218 243
19 44 , 69 E 94 ^ 119 w 144 169 194 219 244
20 45 - 70 F 95 _ 120 x 145 170 195 220 245
21 46 . 71 G 96 ` 121 y 146 171 196 221 246
22 47 / 72 H 97 a 122 z 147 172 197 222 247
23 48 0 73 I 98 b 123 { 148 173 - 198 223 248
24 49 1 74 J 99 c 124 | 149 174 199 224 249
25 50 2 75 K 100 d 125 } 150 175 200 225 250
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
COMBIN
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A B C D E F G
COMBIN
Pool Of Items Items In A Group Possible Groups
4 2 6 =COMBIN(C4,D4)
4 3 4 =COMBIN(C5,D5)
26 2 325 =COMBIN(C6,D6)
What Does It Do ?
This function calculates the highest number of combinations available based upon
a fixed number of items.
The internal order of the combination does not matter, so AB is the same as BA.
Syntax
=COMBIN(HowManyItems,GroupSize)
Formatting
No special formatting is required.
Example 1
This example calculates the possible number of pairs of letters available
from the four characters ABCD.
Total Characters Group Size Combinations
4 2 6 =COMBIN(C25,D25)
The proof ! The four letters : ABCD
Pair 1 AB
Pair 2 AC
Pair 3 AD
Pair 4 BC
Pair 5 BD
Pair 6 CD
Example 2
A decorator is asked to design a colour scheme for a new office.
The decorator is given five colours to work with, but can only use three in any scheme.
How many colours schemes can be created ?
Available Colours Colours Per Scheme Totals Schemes
5 3 10 =COMBIN(C41,D41)
The colours
Red
Green
Blue
Yellow
Black
Scheme 1 Scheme 2 Scheme 3 Scheme 4 Scheme 5
Red Red Red Red Red
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
COMBIN
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A B C D E F G
Green Green Green Blue Blue
Blue Yellow Black Yellow Black
Scheme 6 Scheme 7 Scheme 8 Scheme 9 Scheme 10
Green Green Green Blue ??????
Blue Blue Yellow Yellow
Yellow Black Black Black
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
CONCATENATE
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A B C D E F G H
CONCATENATE
Name 1 Name 2 Concatenated Text
Alan Jones AlanJones =CONCATENATE(C4,D4)
Bob Williams BobWilliams =CONCATENATE(C5,D5)
Carol Davies CarolDavies =CONCATENATE(C6,D6)
Alan Jones Alan Jones =CONCATENATE(C7," ",D7)
Bob Williams Williams, Bob =CONCATENATE(D8,", ",C8)
Carol Davies Davies, Carol =CONCATENATE(D9,", ",C9)
What Does It Do?
This function joins separate pieces of text into one item.
Syntax
=CONCATENATE(Text1,Text2,Text3...Text30)
Up to thirty pieces of text can be joined.
Formatting
No special formatting is needed, the result will be shown as normal text.
Note
You can achieve the same result by using the & operator.
Name 1 Name 2 Concatenated Text
Alan Jones AlanJones =C25&D25
Bob Williams BobWilliams =C26&D26
Carol Davies CarolDavies =C27&D27
Alan Jones Alan Jones =C28&" "&D28
Bob Williams Williams, Bob =D29&", "&C29
Carol Davies Davies, Carol =D30&", "&C30
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
CONVERT
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A B C D E F G H
CONVERT
Amount
To Convert
Converting
From
Converting
To
Converted
Amount
1 in cm 2.54 =CONVERT(C4,D4,E4)
1 ft m 0.3048 =CONVERT(C5,D5,E5)
1 yd m 0.9144 =CONVERT(C6,D6,E6)
1 yr day 365.25 =CONVERT(C8,D8,E8)
1 day hr 24 =CONVERT(C9,D9,E9)
1.5 hr mn 90 =CONVERT(C10,D10,E10)
0.5 mn sec 30 =CONVERT(C11,D11,E11)
What Does It Do ?
This function converts a value measure in one type of unit, to the same value expressed
in a different type of unit, such as Inches to Centimetres.
Syntax
=CONVERT(AmountToConvert,UnitToConvertFrom,UnitToConvertTo)
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Example
The following table was used by an Import / Exporting company to convert the weight
and size of packages from old style UK measuring system to European system.
Pounds Ounces Kilograms
Weight 5 3 2.35301
=CONVERT(D28,"lbm","kg")+CONVERT(E28,"ozm","kg")
Feet Inches Metres
Height 12 6 3.81
Length 8 3 2.5146
Width 5 2 1.5748
=CONVERT(D34,"ft","m")+CONVERT(E34,"in","m")
Abbreviations
This is a list of all the possible abbreviations which can be used to denote measuring systems.
Weight & Mass Distance
Gram g Meter m
Kilogram kg Statute mile mi
Slug sg Nautical mile Nmi
Pound mass lbm Inch in
U (atomic mass) u Foot ft
Ounce mass ozm Yard yd
Angstrom ang
Time Pica (1/72 in.) Pica
Year yr
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
CONVERT
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A B C D E F G H
Day day Pressure
Hour hr Pascal Pa
Minute mn Atmosphere atm
Second sec mm of Mercury mmHg
Temperature Liquid
Degree Celsius C Teaspoon tsp
Degree Fahrenheit F Tablespoon tbs
Degree Kelvin K Fluid ounce oz
Cup cup
Force Pint pt
Newton N Quart qt
Dyne dyn Gallon gal
Pound force lbf Liter l
Energy Power
Joule J Horsepower HP
Erg e Watt W
Thermodynamic
calorie c
IT calorie cal Magnetism
Electron volt eV Tesla T
Horsepower-hour HPh Gauss ga
Watt-hour Wh
Foot-pound flb
BTU BTU
These characters can be used as a prefix to access further units of measure.
Using "c" as a prefix to meters "m" will allow centimetres "cm" to be calculated.
Prefix Multiplier Abbreviation Prefix Multiplier Abbreviation
exa 1.00E+18 E deci 1.00E-01 d
peta 1.00E+15 P centi 1.00E-02 c
tera 1.00E+12 T milli 1.00E-03 m
giga 1.00E+09 G micro 1.00E-06 u
mega 1.00E+06 M nano 1.00E-09 n
kilo 1.00E+03 k pico 1.00E-12 p
hecto 1.00E+02 h femto 1.00E-15 f
dekao 1.00E+01 e atto 1.00E-18 a
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
CORREL
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A B C D E F G H I J
CORREL
Table 1 Table 2
Month Avg Temp
Air Cond
Sales
Advertising
Costs Sales
Jan 20 100 2,000 20,000
Feb 30 200 1,000 30,000
Mar 30 300 5,000 20,000
Apr 40 200 1,000 40,000
May 50 400 8,000 40,000
Jun 50 400 1,000 20,000
Correlation 0.864 Correlation 28%
=CORREL(D5:D10,E5:E10) =CORREL(G5:G10,H5:H10)
What Does It Do ?
This function examines two sets of data to determine the degree of relationship
between the two sets.
The result will be a decimal between 0 and 1.
The larger the result, the greater the correlation.
In Table 1 the Monthly temperature is compared against the Sales of air conditioning units.
The correlation shows that there is an 0.864 realtionship between the data.
In Table 2 the Cost of advertising has been compared to Sales.
It can be formatted as percentage % to show a more meaning full result.
The correlation shows that there is an 28% realtionship between the data.
Syntax
=CORREL(Range1,Range2)
Formatting
The result will normally be shown in decimal format.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
COUNT
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A B C D E F G H I J
COUNT
Entries To Be Counted Count
10 20 30 3 =COUNT(C4:E4)
10 0 30 3 =COUNT(C5:E5)
10 -20 30 3 =COUNT(C6:E6)
10 1-Jan-88 30 3 =COUNT(C7:E7)
10 21:30 30 3 =COUNT(C8:E8)
10 0.493092 30 3 =COUNT(C9:E9)
10 30 2 =COUNT(C10:E10)
10 Hello 30 2 =COUNT(C11:E11)
10 #DIV/0! 30 2 =COUNT(C12:E12)
What Does It Do ?
This function counts the number of numeric entries in a list.
It will ignore blanks, text and errors.
Syntax
=COUNT(Range1,Range2,Range3... through to Range30)
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Example
The following table was used by a builders merchant to calculate the number of sales
for various products in each month.
Item Jan Feb Mar
Bricks 1,000
Wood 5,000
Glass 2,000 1,000
Metal 1,000
Count 3 2 0
=COUNT(D29:D32)
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
COUNTA
Page 51 of 212
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A B C D E F G H I J
COUNTA
Entries To Be Counted Count
10 20 30 3 =COUNTA(C4:E4)
10 0 30 3 =COUNTA(C5:E5)
10 -20 30 3 =COUNTA(C6:E6)
10 1-Jan-88 30 3 =COUNTA(C7:E7)
10 21:30 30 3 =COUNTA(C8:E8)
10 0.020051 30 3 =COUNTA(C9:E9)
10 30 2 =COUNTA(C10:E10)
10 Hello 30 3 =COUNTA(C11:E11)
10 #DIV/0! 30 3 =COUNTA(C12:E12)
What Does It Do ?
This function counts the number of numeric or text entries in a list.
It will ignore blanks.
Syntax
=COUNTA(Range1,Range2,Range3... through to Range30)
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Example
The following table was used by a school to keep track of the examinations taken by each pupil.
Each exam passed was graded as 1, 2 or 3.
A failure was entered as Fail.
The school needed to known how many pupils sat each exam.
The school also needed to know how many exams were taken by each pupil.
The =COUNTA() function has been used because of its ability to count text and numeric entries.
Maths English Art History
Exams Taken
By Each Pupil
Alan Fail 1 2
Bob 2 1 3 3
Carol 1 1 1 3
David Fail Fail 2
Elaine 1 3 2 Fail 4
=COUNTA(D39:G39)
How many pupils sat each Exam.
Maths English Art History
4 3 5 2
=COUNTA(D35:D39)
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
COUNTBLANK
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A B C D E F G H I
COUNTBLANK
Range To Test Blanks
1 2 =COUNTBLANK(C4:C11)
Hello
3
0
1-Jan-98
5
What Does It Do ?
This function counts the number of blank cells in a range.
Syntax
=COUNTBLANK(RangeToTest)
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Example
The following table was used by a company which was balloting its workers on whether
the company should have a no smoking policy.
Each of the departments in the various factories were questioned.
The response to the question could be Y or N.
As the results of the vote were collated they were entered in to the table.
The =COUNTBLANK() function has been used to calculate the number of departments which
have no yet registered a vote.
Admin Accounts Production Personnel
Factory 1 Y N
Factory 2 Y Y N
Factory 3
Factory 4 N N N
Factory 5 Y Y
Factory 6 Y Y Y N
Factory 7 N Y
Factory 8 N N Y Y
Factory 9 Y
Factory 10 Y N Y
Votes not vet registered : 16 =COUNTBLANK(C32:F41)
Votes for Yes : 14 =COUNTIF(C32:F41,"Y")
Votes for No : 10 =COUNTIF(C32:F41,"N")
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
COUNTIF
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A B C D E F G
COUNTIF
Item Date Cost
Brakes 1-Jan-98 80
Tyres 10-May-98 25
Brakes 1-Feb-98 80
Service 1-Mar-98 150
Service 5-Jan-98 300
Window 1-Jun-98 50
Tyres 1-Apr-98 200
Tyres 1-Mar-98 100
Clutch 1-May-98 250
How many Brake Shoes Have been bought. 2 =COUNTIF(C4:C12,"Brakes")
How many Tyres have been bought. 3 =COUNTIF(C4:C12,"Tyres")
How many items cost 100 or above. 5 =COUNTIF(E4:E12,">=100")
Type the name of the item to count. service 2 =COUNTIF(C4:C12,E18)
What Does It Do ?
This function counts the number of items which match criteria set by the user.
Syntax
=COUNTIF(RangeOfThingsToBeCounted,CriteriaToBeMatched)
The criteria can be typed in any of the following ways.
To match a specific number type the number, such as =COUNTIF(A1:A5,100)
To match a piece of text type the text in quotes, such as =COUNTIF(A1:A5,"Hello")
To match using operators surround the expression with quotes, such as =COUNTIF(A1:A5,">100")
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
DATE
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A B C D E F G H I J
DATE
Day Month Year Date
25 12 99 12/25/99 =DATE(E4,D4,C4)
25 12 99 25-Dec-99 =DATE(E5,D5,C5)
33 12 99 January 2, 2000 =DATE(E6,D6,C6)
What Does It Do?
This function creates a real date by using three normal numbers typed into separate cells.
Syntax
=DATE(year,month,day)
Formatting
The result will normally be displayed in the dd/mm/yy format.
By using the Format,Cells,Number,Date command the format can be changed.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
DATEDIF
Page 55 of 212
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A B C D E F G H I
DATEDIF
FirstDate SecondDate Interval Difference
1-Jan-60 10-May-70 days 3782 =DATEDIF(C4,D4,"d")
1-Jan-60 10-May-70 months 124 =DATEDIF(C5,D5,"m")
1-Jan-60 10-May-70 years 10 =DATEDIF(C6,D6,"y")
1-Jan-60 10-May-70 yeardays 130 =DATEDIF(C7,D7,"yd")
1-Jan-60 10-May-70 yearmonths 4 =DATEDIF(C8,D8,"ym")
1-Jan-60 10-May-70 monthdays 9 =DATEDIF(C9,D9,"md")
What Does It Do?
This function calculates the difference between two dates.
It can show the result in weeks, months or years.
Syntax
=DATEDIF(FirstDate,SecondDate,"Interval")
FirstDate : This is the earliest of the two dates.
SecondDate : This is the most recent of the two dates.
"Interval" : This indicates what you want to calculate.
These are the available intervals.
"d" Days between the two dates.
"m" Months between the two dates.
"y" Years between the two dates.
"yd" Days between the dates, as if the dates were in the same year.
"ym" Months between the dates, as if the dates were in the same year.
"md" Days between the two dates, as if the dates were in the same month and year.
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Birth date : 1-Jan-60
Years lived : 54 =DATEDIF(C8,TODAY(),"y")
and the months : 5 =DATEDIF(C8,TODAY(),"ym")
and the days : 1 =DATEDIF(C8,TODAY(),"md")
You can put this all together in one calculation, which creates a text version.
Age is 54 Years, 5 Months and 1 Days
="Age is "&DATEDIF(C8,TODAY(),"y")&" Years, "&DATEDIF(C8,TODAY(),"ym")&" Months and "&DATEDIF(C8,TODAY(),"md")&" Days"
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
DATEVALUE
Page 56 of 212
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A B C D E F G
DATEVALUE
Date Date Value
25-dec-99 36519 =DATEVALUE(C4)
25/12/99 #VALUE! =DATEVALUE(C5)
25-dec-99 36519 =DATEVALUE(C6)
25/12/99 #VALUE! =DATEVALUE(C7)
What Does It Do?
The function is used to convert a piece of text into a date which can be used in calculations.
Dates expressed as text are often created when data is imported from other programs, such as
exports from mainframe computers.
Syntax
=DATEVALUE(text)
Formatting
The result will normally be shown as a number which represents the date. This number can
be formatted to any of the normal date formats by using Format,Cells,Number,Date.
Example
The example uses the =DATEVALUE and the =TODAY functions to calculate the number of
days remaining on a property lease.
The =DATEVALUE function was used because the date has been entered in the cell as
a piece of text, probably after being imported from an external program.
Property Ref. Expiry Date
Days Until
Expiry
BC100 25-dec-99 -5273
FG700 10-july/99 -5441
TD200 13-sep-98 -5741
HJ900 30/5/2000 #VALUE!
=DATEVALUE(E32)-TODAY()
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
DAVERAGE
Page 57 of 212
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A B C D E F G H I J
DAVERAGE
This is the Database range.
Product Wattage
Life
Hours Brand Unit Cost
Box
Quantity
Boxes In
Stock
Value Of
Stock
Bulb 200 3000 Horizon 4.50 4 3 54.00
Neon 100 2000 Horizon 2.00 15 2 60.00
Spot 60 0.00
Other 10 8000 Sunbeam 0.80 25 6 120.00
Bulb 80 1000 Horizon 0.20 40 3 24.00
Spot 100 unknown Horizon 1.25 10 4 50.00
Spot 200 3000 Horizon 2.50 15 0 0.00
Other 25 unknown Sunbeam 0.50 10 3 15.00
Bulb 200 3000 Sunbeam 5.00 3 2 30.00
Neon 100 2000 Sunbeam 1.80 20 5 180.00
Bulb 100 unknown Sunbeam 0.25 10 5 12.50
Bulb 10 800 Horizon 0.20 25 2 10.00
Bulb 60 1000 Sunbeam 0.15 25 0 0.00
Bulb 80 1000 Sunbeam 0.20 30 2 12.00
Bulb 100 2000 Horizon 0.80 10 5 40.00
Bulb 40 1000 Horizon 0.10 20 5 10.00
To calculate the Average cost of a particular Brand of bulb.
Brand These two cells are the Criteria range.
Type the brand name : sunbeam
The Average cost of sunbeam is : 1.24 =DAVERAGE(B3:I19,F3,E23:E24)
What Does It Do ?
This function examines a list of information and produces and average.
Syntax
=DAVERAGE(DatabaseRange,FieldName,CriteriaRange)
The DatabaseRange is the entire list of information you need to examine, including the
field names at the top of the columns.
The FieldName is the name, or cell, of the values to be averaged, such as "Unit Cost" or F3.
The CriteriaRange is made up of two types of information.
The first set of information is the name, or names, of the Fields(s) to be used as the basis
for selecting the records, such as the category Brand or Wattage.
The second set of information is the actual record, or records, which are to be selected, such
as Horizon as a brand name, or 100 as the wattage.
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Examples
The average Unit Cost of a particular Product of a particular Brand.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
DAVERAGE
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Product Brand
Bulb Horizon
The average of Horizon Bulb is : 1.16 =DAVERAGE(B3:I19,F3,E49:F50)
This is the same calculation but using the actual name "Unit Cost" instead of the cell address.
1.16 =DAVERAGE(B3:I19,"Unit Cost",E49:F50)
The average Unit Cost of a Bulb equal to a particular Wattage.
Product Wattage
Bulb 100
Average of Bulb 100 is : 0.53 =DAVERAGE(B3:I19,"Unit Cost",E60:F61)
The average Unit Cost of a Bulb less then a particular Wattage.
Product Wattage
Bulb <100
Average of Bulb <100 is : 0.17 =DAVERAGE(B3:I19,"Unit Cost",E67:F68)
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
DAY
Page 59 of 212
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A B C D E F G
DAY
Full Date The Day
25-Dec-98 25 =DAY(C4)
2-Jun-14 Mon 2 =DAY(C5)
2-Jun-14 2 =DAY(C6)
What Does It Do?
This function extracts the day of the month from a complete date.
Syntax
=DAY(value)
Formatting
Normally the result will be a number, but this can be formatted to show the actual
day of the week by using Format,Cells,Number,Custom and using the code ddd or dddd.
Example
The =DAY function has been used to calculate the name of the day for your birthday.
Please enter your date of birth in the format dd/mm/yy : 3/25/1962
You were born on : Wednesday 25 =DAY(F21)
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
DAYS360
Page 60 of 212
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DAYS360
StartDate EndDate Days Between * See the Note below.
1-Jan-98 5-Jan-98 4 =DAYS360(C4,D4,TRUE)
1-Jan-98 1-Feb-98 30 =DAYS360(C5,D5,TRUE)
1-Jan-98 31-Mar-98 89 =DAYS360(C6,D6,TRUE)
1-Jan-98 31-Dec-98 359 =DAYS360(C7,D7,TRUE)
What Does It Do?
Shows the number of days between two dates based on a 360-day year (twelve 30-day months).
Use this function if your accounting system is based on twelve 30-day months.
Syntax
=DAYS360(StartDate,EndDate,TRUE of FALSE)
TRUE : Use this for European accounting systems.
FALSE : Use this for USA accounting systems.
Formatting
The result will be shown as a number.
Note
The calculation does not include the last day. The result of using 1-Jan-98 and 5-Jan-98 will
give a result of 4. To correct this add 1 to the result. =DAYS360(Start,End,TRUE)+1
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
DB
Page 61 of 212
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A B C D E F G H I
DB
Purchase Price : 5,000
Life in Years : 5
Salvage value : 200
Year Deprecation
1 2,375.00 =DB(E3,E5,E4,D8)
2 1,246.88 =DB(E3,E5,E4,D9)
3 654.61 =DB(E3,E5,E4,D10)
4 343.67 =DB(E3,E5,E4,D11)
5 180.43 =DB(E3,E5,E4,D12)
Total Depreciation : 4,800.58 * See example 4 below.
What Does It Do ?
This function calculates deprecation based upon a fixed percentage.
The first year is depreciated by the fixed percentage.
The second year uses the same percentage, but uses the original value of the item less
the first years depreciation.
Any subsequent years use the same percentage, using the original value of the item less
the depreciation of the previous years.
The percentage used in the depreciation is not set by the user, the function calculates
the necessary percentage, which will be vary based upon the values inputted by the user.
An additional feature of this function is the ability to take into account when the item was
originally purchased.
If the item was purchased part way through the financial year, the first years depreciation
will be based on the remaining part of the year.
Syntax
=DB(PurchasePrice,SalvageValue,Life,PeriodToCalculate,FirstYearMonth)
The FirstYearMonth is the month in which the item was purchased during the
first financial year. This is an optional value, if it not used the function will assume 12 as
the value.
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Example 1
This example shows the percentage used in the depreciation.
Year 1 depreciation is based upon the original Purchase Price alone.
Year 2 depreciation is based upon the original Purchase Price minus Year 1 deprecation.
Year 3 deprecation is based upon original Purchase Price minus Year 1 + Year 2 deprecation.
The % Deprc has been calculated purely to demonstrate what % is being used.
Purchase Price : 5,000
Salvage value : 1,000
Life in Years : 5
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
DB
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A B C D E F G H I
Year Deprecation % Deprc
1 1,375.00 27.50%
2 996.88 27.50%
3 722.73 27.50%
4 523.98 27.50%
5 379.89 27.50%
=DB(E47,E48,E49,D56)
Total Depreciation : 3,998.48
Example 2
This example is similar to the previous, with the exception of the deprecation being calculated
on a monthly basis. This has been done by multiplying the years by 12.
Purchase Price : 5,000
Life in Years : 5
Salvage value : 100
Month Deprecation
56 8.79
57 8.24
58 7.72
59 7.23
60 6.78
=DB(E66,E68,E67*12,D75)
Example 3
This example shows how the length of the first years ownership has been taken into account.
Purchase Price : 5,000
Life in Years : 5
Salvage value : 1,000
First Year Ownership In Months : 6
Year Deprecation % Deprc
1 687.50 13.75%
2 1,185.94 27.50%
3 859.80 27.50%
4 623.36 27.50%
5 451.93 27.50%
=DB(E74,E76,E75,D84,E77)
Total Depreciation : 3,808.54
Why Is The Answer Wrong ?
In all of the examples above the total depreceation may not be exactly the expected value.
This is due to the way in which the percentage value for the depreceation has been calculated
by the =DB() fumction.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
DB
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A B C D E F G H I
The percentage rate is calculated by Execl using the formula = 1 - ((salvage / cost) ^ (1 / life)).
The result of this calculation is then rounded to three decimal places.
Although this rounding may only make a minor change to the percentage rate, when applied
to large values, the differnce is compounded resulting in what could be considered as
approximate values for the the depreceation.
Example 4
This example has been created with both the Excel calculated percentage and the 'real'
percentage calculated manually.
The Excel Deprecation uses the =DB() function.
The Real Deprecation uses a manual calculation.
This is the 'real' deprecation percentage, calculated manually : 27.522034%
=1-((E117/E116)^(1/E118))
Purchase Price : 5,000 = 1 - ((salvage / cost) ^ (1 / life)).
Salvage value : 1,000
Life in Years : 5
Year
Excel
Deprecation
Real
Depreciation
Excel
% Deprc
1 1,375.0000 1,376.1017 27.500%
2 996.8750 997.3705 27.500%
3 722.7344 722.8739 27.500%
4 523.9824 523.9243 27.500%
5 379.8873 379.7297 27.500%
Total Depreciation : 3,998.48 4,000.00
Error difference : 1.52
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
DCOUNT
Page 64 of 212
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A B C D E F G H I J
DCOUNT
This is the Database range.
Product Wattage
Life
Hours Brand Unit Cost
Box
Quantity
Boxes In
Stock
Value Of
Stock
Bulb 200 3000 Horizon 4.50 4 3 54.00
Neon 100 2000 Horizon 2.00 15 2 60.00
Spot 60 0.00
Other 10 8000 Sunbeam 0.80 25 6 120.00
Bulb 80 1000 Horizon 0.20 40 3 24.00
Spot 100 unknown Horizon 1.25 10 4 50.00
Spot 200 3000 Horizon 2.50 15 1 37.50
Other 25 unknown Sunbeam 0.50 10 3 15.00
Bulb 200 3000 Sunbeam 5.00 3 2 30.00
Neon 100 2000 Sunbeam 1.80 20 5 180.00
Bulb 100 unknown Sunbeam 0.25 10 5 12.50
Bulb 10 800 Horizon 0.20 25 2 10.00
Bulb 60 1000 Sunbeam 0.15 25 1 3.75
Bulb 80 1000 Sunbeam 0.20 30 2 12.00
Bulb 100 2000 Horizon 0.80 10 5 40.00
Bulb 40 1000 Horizon 0.10 20 5 10.00
Count the number of products of a particular Brand which have a Life Hours rating.
Brand These two cells are the Criteria range.
Type the brand name : Horizon
The COUNT value of Horizon is : 7 =DCOUNT(B3:I19,D3,E23:E24)
What Does It Do ?
This function examines a list of information and counts the values in a specified column.
It can only count values, the text items and blank cells are ignored.
Syntax
=DCOUNT(DatabaseRange,FieldName,CriteriaRange)
The DatabaseRange is the entire list of information you need to examine, including the
field names at the top of the columns.
The FieldName is the name, or cell, of the values to Count, such as "Value Of Stock" or I3.
The CriteriaRange is made up of two types of information.
The first set of information is the name, or names, of the Fields(s) to be used as the basis
for selecting the records, such as the category Brand or Wattage.
The second set of information is the actual record, or records, which are to be selected, such
as Horizon as a brand name, or 100 as the wattage.
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Examples
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
DCOUNT
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The count of a particular product, with a specific number of boxes in stock.
Product
Boxes In
Stock
Bulb 5
The number of products is : 3 =DCOUNT(B3:I19,H3,E50:F51)
This is the same calculation but using the name "Boxes In Stock" instead of the cell address.
3 =DCOUNT(B3:I19,"Boxes In Stock",E50:F51)
The count of the number of Bulb products equal to a particular Wattage.
Product Wattage
Bulb 100
The count is : 2 =DCOUNT(B3:I19,"Boxes In Stock",E61:F62)
The count of Bulb products between two Wattage values.
Product Wattage Wattage
Bulb >=80 <=100
The count is : 4 =DCOUNT(B3:I19,"Boxes In Stock",E68:G69)
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
DCOUNTA
Page 66 of 212
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A B C D E F G H I J
DCOUNTA
This is the Database range.
Product Wattage
Life
Hours Brand Unit Cost
Box
Quantity
Boxes In
Stock
Value Of
Stock
Bulb 200 3000 Horizon 4.50 4 3 54.00
Neon 100 2000 Horizon 2.00 15 2 60.00
Spot 60 0.00
Other 10 8000 Sunbeam 0.80 25 6 120.00
Bulb 80 1000 Horizon 0.20 40 3 24.00
Spot 100 unknown Horizon 1.25 10 4 50.00
Spot 200 3000 Horizon 2.50 15 1 37.50
Other 25 unknown Sunbeam 0.50 10 3 15.00
Bulb 200 3000 Sunbeam 5.00 3 2 30.00
Neon 100 2000 Sunbeam 1.80 20 5 180.00
Bulb 100 unknown Sunbeam 0.25 10 5 12.50
Bulb 10 800 Horizon 0.20 25 2 10.00
Bulb 60 1000 Sunbeam 0.15 25 1 3.75
Bulb 80 1000 Sunbeam 0.20 30 2 12.00
Bulb 100 2000 Horizon 0.80 10 5 40.00
Bulb 40 1000 Horizon 0.10 20 5 10.00
Count the number of products of a particular Brand.
Brand These two cells are the Criteria range.
Type the brand name : Horizon
The COUNT value of Horizon is : 8 =DCOUNTA(B3:I19,E3,E23:E24)
What Does It Do ?
This function examines a list of information and counts the non blank cells in a specified column.
It counts values and text items, but blank cells are ignored.
Syntax
=DCOUNTA(DatabaseRange,FieldName,CriteriaRange)
The DatabaseRange is the entire list of information you need to examine, including the
field names at the top of the columns.
The FieldName is the name, or cell, of the values to Count, such as "Value Of Stock" or I3.
The CriteriaRange is made up of two types of information.
The first set of information is the name, or names, of the Fields(s) to be used as the basis
for selecting the records, such as the category Brand or Wattage.
The second set of information is the actual record, or records, which are to be selected, such
as Horizon as a brand name, or 100 as the wattage.
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Examples
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
DCOUNTA
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A B C D E F G H I J
The count of a product with an unknown Life Hours value.
Product Life Hours
Bulb unknown
The number of products is : 1 =DCOUNTA(B3:I19,D3,E50:F51)
This is the same calculation but using the name "Life Hours" instead of the cell address.
1 =DCOUNTA(B3:I19,"Life Hours",E50:F51)
The count of the number of particular product of a specific brand.
Product Brand
Bulb Horizon
The count is : 5 =DCOUNTA(B3:I19,"Product",E61:F62)
The count of particular products from specific brands.
Product Brand
Spot Horizon
Neon Sunbeam
The count is : 3 =DCOUNTA(B3:I19,"Product",E68:F70)
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
DEC2BIN
Page 68 of 212
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A B C D E F G H
DEC2BIN
Decimal Number Binary Equivalent
0 0 =DEC2BIN(C4)
1 1 =DEC2BIN(C5)
2 10 =DEC2BIN(C6)
3 11 =DEC2BIN(C7)
511 111111111 =DEC2BIN(C8)
512 #NUM! =DEC2BIN(C9)
-1 1111111111 =DEC2BIN(C10)
-2 1111111110 =DEC2BIN(C11)
-3 1111111101 =DEC2BIN(C12)
-511 1000000001 =DEC2BIN(C13)
-512 1000000000 =DEC2BIN(C14)
Decimal Number Places To Pad Binary Equivalent
1 1 1 =DEC2BIN(C17,D17)
1 2 01 =DEC2BIN(C18,D18)
1 3 001 =DEC2BIN(C19,D19)
1 9 000000001 =DEC2BIN(C20,D20)
-1 1 1111111111 =DEC2BIN(C21,D21)
What Does It Do ?
This function converts a decimal number to its binary equivalent.
It can only cope with decimals ranging from -512 to 511.
The result can be padded with leading 0 zeros, although this is ignored for negatives.
Syntax
=DEC2BIN(DecimalNumber,PlacesToPad)
The PlacesToPad is optional.
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
DEC2HEX
Page 69 of 212
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A B C D E F G H
DEC2HEX
Decimal Number Hexadecimal
0 0 =DEC2HEX(C4)
1 1 =DEC2HEX(C5)
2 2 =DEC2HEX(C6)
3 3 =DEC2HEX(C7)
25 19 =DEC2HEX(C8)
26 1A =DEC2HEX(C9)
27 1B =DEC2HEX(C10)
28 1C =DEC2HEX(C11)
-1 FFFFFFFFFF =DEC2HEX(C12)
-2 FFFFFFFFFE =DEC2HEX(C13)
-3 FFFFFFFFFD =DEC2HEX(C14)
-2 FFFFFFFFFE =DEC2HEX(C15)
-1 FFFFFFFFFF =DEC2HEX(C16)
549,755,813,887 7FFFFFFFFF =DEC2HEX(C17)
-549,755,813,888 8000000000 =DEC2HEX(C18)
549,755,813,888 #NUM! =DEC2HEX(C19)
-549,755,813,889 #NUM! =DEC2HEX(C20)
Decimal Number Places To Pad Hexadecimal
1 1 1 =DEC2HEX(C23,D23)
1 2 01 =DEC2HEX(C24,D24)
26 3 01A =DEC2HEX(C25,D25)
26 9 00000001A =DEC2HEX(C26,D26)
-26 1 FFFFFFFFE6 =DEC2HEX(C27,D27)
What Does It Do ?
This function converts a decimal number to its hexadecimal equivalent.
It can only cope with decimals ranging from -549,755,813,888 to 549,755,813,887.
The result can be padded with leading 0 zeros, although this is ignored for negatives.
Syntax
=DEC2HEX(DecimalNumber,PlacesToPad)
The PlacesToPad is optional.
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
DELTA
Page 70 of 212
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A B C D E F G H I J
DELTA
Number1 Number2 Delta
10 20 0 =DELTA(C4,D4)
50 50 1 =DELTA(C5,D5)
17.5 17.5 1 =DELTA(C6,D6)
17.5 18 1 =DELTA(C7,D7)
17.50% 0.175 1 =DELTA(C8,D8)
Hello Hello #VALUE! =DELTA(C9,D9)
1 =DELTA(C10,D10)
What Does It Do ?
This function compares two values and tests whether they are exactly the same.
If the numbers are the same the result will be 1, otherwise the result is 0.
It only works with numbers, text values produce a result of #VALUE.
The formatting of the number is not significant, so numbers which appear rounded due
to the removal of decimal places will still match correctly with non rounded values.
Syntax
=DELTA(FirstNumber,SecondNumber)
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Example
The following table is used to determine how may pairs of similar numbers are in a list.
The =DELTA() function tests each pair and then the =SUM() function totals them.
Number1 Number2 Delta
10 20 0 =DELTA(C30,D30)
50 50 1 =DELTA(C31,D31)
30 30 1 =DELTA(C32,D32)
17.5 18 1 =DELTA(C33,D33)
12 8 0 =DELTA(C34,D34)
100 100 1 =DELTA(C35,D35)
150 125 0 =DELTA(C36,D36)
Total Pairs 4 =SUM(E30:E36)
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
DGET
Page 71 of 212
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DGET
This is the Database range.
Product Wattage
Life
Hours Brand Unit Cost
Box
Quantity
Boxes In
Stock
Value Of
Stock
Bulb 200 3000 Horizon 4.50 4 3 54.00
Neon 100 2000 Horizon 2.00 15 2 60.00
Spot 60 0.00
Other 10 8000 Sunbeam 0.80 25 6 120.00
Bulb 80 1000 Horizon 0.20 40 3 24.00
Spot 100 unknown Horizon 1.25 10 4 50.00
Spot 200 3000 Horizon 2.50 15 1 37.50
Other 25 unknown Sunbeam 0.50 10 3 15.00
Bulb 200 3000 Sunbeam 5.00 3 2 30.00
Neon 100 2000 Sunbeam 1.80 20 5 180.00
Bulb 100 unknown Sunbeam 0.25 10 5 12.50
Bulb 10 800 Horizon 0.20 25 2 10.00
Bulb 60 1000 Sunbeam 0.15 25 1 3.75
Bulb 80 1000 Sunbeam 0.20 30 2 12.00
Bulb 100 2000 Horizon 0.80 10 5 40.00
Bulb 40 1000 Horizon 0.10 20 5 10.00
How many boxes of a particular item do we have in stock?
Product Wattage
Life
Hours Brand
Bulb 100 Horizon
The number in stock is : 5 =DGET(B3:I19,H3,C23:F24)
What Does It Do ?
This function examines a list of information and produces one result.
If more than one record matches the criteria the error #NUM is shown.
If no records match the criteria the error #VALUE is shown.
Syntax
=DGET(DatabaseRange,FieldName,CriteriaRange)
The DatabaseRange is the entire list of information you need to examine, including the
field names at the top of the columns.
The FieldName is the name, or cell, of the values to Get, such as "Value Of Stock" or I3.
The CriteriaRange is made up of two types of information.
The first set of information is the name, or names, of the Fields(s) to be used as the basis
for selecting the records, such as the category Brand or Wattage.
The second set of information is the actual record which needs to be selected, such
as Horizon as a brand name, or 100 as the wattage.
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
DGET
Page 72 of 212
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A B C D E F G H I J
Example 1
This example extracts information from just one record.
How many boxes of a particular item do we have in stock?
Product Wattage
Life
Hours Brand
Bulb 100 Horizon
The number in stock is : 5 =DGET(B3:I19,H3,C51:F52)
Example 2
This example extracts information from multiple records and therefore shows the #NUM error.
How many boxes of a particular item do we have in stock?
Product Wattage
Life
Hours Brand
Bulb 100
The number in stock is : #NUM! =DGET(B3:I19,H3,C63:F64)
Example 3
This example extracts information from no records and therefore shows the #VALUE error.
How many boxes of a particular item do we have in stock?
Product Wattage
Life
Hours Brand
Bulb 9999
The number in stock is : #VALUE! =DGET(B3:I19,H3,C64:F65)
Example 4
This example uses the =IF() function to display a message when an error occurs.
How many boxes of a particular item do we have in stock?
Product Wattage
Life
Hours Brand
Bulb 9999
The number in stock is : #VALUE! =DGET(B3:I19,H3,C85:F86)
No such product.
=IF(ISERR(F88),CHOOSE(ERROR.TYPE(F88)/3,"No such product.","Duplicates products found."),"One product found.")
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
DMAX
Page 73 of 212
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A B C D E F G H I J K
DMAX
This is the Database range.
Product Wattage
Life
Hours Brand Unit Cost
Box
Quantity
Boxes In
Stock
Value Of
Stock
Bulb 200 3000 Horizon 4.50 4 3 54.00
Neon 100 2000 Horizon 2.00 15 2 60.00
Spot 60 0.00
Other 10 8000 Sunbeam 0.80 25 6 120.00
Bulb 80 1000 Horizon 0.20 40 3 24.00
Spot 100 unknown Horizon 1.25 10 4 50.00
Spot 200 3000 Horizon 2.50 15 0 0.00
Other 25 unknown Sunbeam 0.50 10 3 15.00
Bulb 200 3000 Sunbeam 5.00 3 2 30.00
Neon 100 2000 Sunbeam 1.80 20 5 180.00
Bulb 100 unknown Sunbeam 0.25 10 5 12.50
Bulb 10 800 Horizon 0.20 25 2 10.00
Bulb 60 1000 Sunbeam 0.15 25 0 0.00
Bulb 80 1000 Sunbeam 0.20 30 2 12.00
Bulb 100 2000 Horizon 0.80 10 5 40.00
Bulb 40 1000 Horizon 0.10 20 5 10.00
To calculate largest Value Of Stock of a particular Brand of bulb.
Brand These two cells are the Criteria range.
Type the brand name : Horizon
The MAX value of Horizon is : 60.00 =DMAX(B3:I19,I3,E23:E24)
What Does It Do ?
This function examines a list of information and produces the largest value from a specified column.
Syntax
=DMAX(DatabaseRange,FieldName,CriteriaRange)
The DatabaseRange is the entire list of information you need to examine, including the
field names at the top of the columns.
The FieldName is the name or cell, of the values to pick the Max from, such as "Value Of Stock" or I3.
The CriteriaRange is made up of two types of information.
The first set of information is the name, or names, of the Fields(s) to be used as the basis
for selecting the records, such as the category Brand or Wattage.
The second set of information is the actual record, or records, which are to be selected, such
as Horizon as a brand name, or 100 as the wattage.
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Examples
The largest Value Of Stock of a particular Product of a particular Brand.
Product Brand
Bulb sunbeam
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
DMAX
Page 74 of 212
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A B C D E F G H I J K
The largest value is : 30.00 =DMAX(B3:I19,I3,E49:F50)
This is the same calculation but using the name "Value Of Stock" instead of the cell address.
30.00 =DMAX(B3:I19,"Value Of Stock",E49:F50)
The largest Value Of Stock of a Bulb equal to a particular Wattage.
Product Wattage
Bulb 100
The largest Value Of Stock is : 40.00 =DMAX(B3:I19,"Value Of Stock",E60:F61)
The largest Value Of Stock of a Bulb less than a particular Wattage.
Product Wattage
Bulb <100
The largest Value Of Stock is : 24.00 =DMAX(B3:I19,"Value Of Stock",E67:F68)
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
DMIN
Page 75 of 212
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DMIN
This is the Database range.
Product Wattage
Life
Hours Brand Unit Cost
Box
Quantity
Boxes In
Stock
Value Of
Stock
Bulb 200 3000 Horizon 4.50 4 3 54.00
Neon 100 2000 Horizon 2.00 15 2 60.00
Spot 60 0.00
Other 10 8000 Sunbeam 0.80 25 6 120.00
Bulb 80 1000 Horizon 0.20 40 3 24.00
Spot 100 unknown Horizon 1.25 10 4 50.00
Spot 200 3000 Horizon 2.50 15 1 37.50
Other 25 unknown Sunbeam 0.50 10 3 15.00
Bulb 200 3000 Sunbeam 5.00 3 2 30.00
Neon 100 2000 Sunbeam 1.80 20 5 180.00
Bulb 100 unknown Sunbeam 0.25 10 5 12.50
Bulb 10 800 Horizon 0.20 25 2 10.00
Bulb 60 1000 Sunbeam 0.15 25 1 3.75
Bulb 80 1000 Sunbeam 0.20 30 2 12.00
Bulb 100 2000 Horizon 0.80 10 5 40.00
Bulb 40 1000 Horizon 0.10 20 5 10.00
To calculate lowest Value Of Stock of a particular Brand of bulb.
Brand These two cells are the Criteria range.
Type the brand name : Horizon
The MIN value of Horizon is : 10.00 =DMIN(B3:I19,I3,E23:E24)
What Does It Do ?
This function examines a list of information and produces smallest value from a specified column.
Syntax
=DMIN(DatabaseRange,FieldName,CriteriaRange)
The DatabaseRange is the entire list of information you need to examine, including the
field names at the top of the columns.
The FieldName is the name, or cell, of the values to pick the Min from, such as "Value Of Stock" or I3.
The CriteriaRange is made up of two types of information.
The first set of information is the name, or names, of the Fields(s) to be used as the basis
for selecting the records, such as the category Brand or Wattage.
The second set of information is the actual record, or records, which are to be selected, such
as Horizon as a brand name, or 100 as the wattage.
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Examples
The lowest Value Of Stock of a particular Product of a particular Brand.
Product Brand
Bulb sunbeam
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
DMIN
Page 76 of 212
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A B C D E F G H I J K
The lowest value is : 3.75 =DMIN(B3:I19,I3,E49:F50)
This is the same calculation but using the name "Value Of Stock" instead of the cell address.
3.75 =DMIN(B3:I19,"Value Of Stock",E49:F50)
The lowest Value Of Stock of a Bulb equal to a particular Wattage.
Product Wattage
Bulb 100
The lowest Value Of Stock is : 12.50 =DMIN(B3:I19,"Value Of Stock",E60:F61)
The lowest Value Of Stock of a Bulb between two Wattage values.
Product Wattage Wattage
Bulb >=80 <=100
The lowest Value Of Stock is : 12.00 =DMIN(B3:I19,"Value Of Stock",E67:G68)
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
DOLLAR
Page 77 of 212
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A B C D E F G H I
DOLLAR
Original
Number
Converted
To Text
10 $10.00 =DOLLAR(C4)
10 $10 =DOLLAR(C5,0)
10 $10.0 =DOLLAR(C6,1)
10 $10.00 =DOLLAR(C7,2)
10.25 $10.25 =DOLLAR(C8)
10.25 $10 =DOLLAR(C9,0)
10.25 $10.3 =DOLLAR(C10,1)
10.25 $10.25 =DOLLAR(C11,2)
What Does It Do?
This function converts a number into a piece of text formatted as currency.
Syntax
=DOLLAR(Number,DecimalPlaces)
Number : This is the number which needs to be converted.
DecimalPlaces : This is the amount of decimal places needed in the converted number.
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
The result will be shown as a text entry.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
DSUM
Page 78 of 212
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DSUM
This is the Database range.
Product Wattage
Life
Hours Brand Unit Cost
Box
Quantity
Boxes In
Stock
Value Of
Stock
Bulb 200 3000 Horizon 4.50 4 3 54.00
Neon 100 2000 Horizon 2.00 15 2 60.00
Spot 60 0.00
Other 10 8000 Sunbeam 0.80 25 6 120.00
Bulb 80 1000 Horizon 0.20 40 3 24.00
Spot 100 unknown Horizon 1.25 10 4 50.00
Spot 200 3000 Horizon 2.50 15 0 0.00
Other 25 unknown Sunbeam 0.50 10 3 15.00
Bulb 200 3000 Sunbeam 5.00 3 2 30.00
Neon 100 2000 Sunbeam 1.80 20 5 180.00
Bulb 100 unknown Sunbeam 0.25 10 5 12.50
Bulb 10 800 Horizon 0.20 25 2 10.00
Bulb 60 1000 Sunbeam 0.15 25 0 0.00
Bulb 80 1000 Sunbeam 0.20 30 2 12.00
Bulb 100 2000 Horizon 0.80 10 5 40.00
Bulb 40 1000 Horizon 0.10 20 5 10.00
To calculate the total Value Of Stock of a particular Brand of bulb.
Brand These two cells are the Criteria range.
Type the brand name : Horizon
The stock value of Horizon is : 248.00 =DSUM(B3:I19,I3,E23:E24)
What Does It Do ?
This function examines a list of information and produces the total.
Syntax
=DSUM(DatabaseRange,FieldName,CriteriaRange)
The DatabaseRange is the entire list of information you need to examine, including the
field names at the top of the columns.
The FieldName is the name, or cell, of the values to be totalled, such as "Value Of Stock" or I3.
The CriteriaRange is made up of two types of information.
The first set of information is the name, or names, of the Fields(s) to be used as the basis
for selecting the records, such as the category Brand or Wattage.
The second set of information is the actual record, or records, which are to be selected, such
as Horizon as a brand name, or 100 as the wattage.
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Examples
The total Value Of Stock of a particular Product of a particular Brand.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
DSUM
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A B C D E F G H I J
Product Brand
Bulb sunbeam
Total stock value is : 54.50 =DSUM(B3:I19,I3,E49:F50)
This is the same calculation but using the name "Value Of Stock" instead of the cell address.
54.50 =DSUM(B3:I19,"Value Of Stock",E49:F50)
The total Value Of Stock of a Bulb equal to a particular Wattage.
Product Wattage
Bulb 100
Total Value Of Stock is : 52.50 =DSUM(B3:I19,"Value Of Stock",E60:F61)
The total Value Of Stock of a Bulb less than a particular Wattage.
Product Wattage
Bulb <100
Total Value Of Stock is : 56.00 =DSUM(B3:I19,"Value Of Stock",E67:F68)
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
EAST
Page 80 of 212
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A B C D E F
Eastern data.
Used by the example for the =INDIRECT() function.
Jan Feb Mar Total
Alan 1000 2000 3000 6000
Bob 4000 5000 6000 15000
Carol 7000 8000 9000 24000
Total 12000 15000 18000 45000
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
EDATE
Page 81 of 212
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A B C D E F G
EDATE
Start Date Plus Months End Date
1-Jan-98 3 1-Apr-98 =EDATE(C4,D4)
2-Jan-98 3 2-Apr-98 =EDATE(C5,D5)
2-Jan-98 -3 2-Oct-97 =EDATE(C6,D6)
What Does It Do?
This function is used to calculate a date which is a specific number of months in the past or
in the future.
Syntax
=EDATE(StartDate,Months)
Formatting
The result will normally be expressed as a number, this can be formatted to represent
a date by using the Format,Cells,Number,Date command.
Example
This example was used by a company hiring contract staff.
The company needed to know the end date of the employment.
The Start date is entered.
The contract Duration is entered as months.
The =EDATE() function has been used to calculate the end of the contract.
Start Duration End
Tue 06-Jan-98 3 Mon 06-Apr-98 =EDATE(C27,D27)
Mon 12-Jan-98 3 Sun 12-Apr-98 =EDATE(C28,D28)
Fri 09-Jan-98 4 Sat 09-May-98 =EDATE(C29,D29)
Fri 09-Jan-98 3 Thu 09-Apr-98 =EDATE(C30,D30)
Mon 19-Jan-98 3 Sun 19-Apr-98 =EDATE(C31,D31)
Mon 26-Jan-98 3 Sun 26-Apr-98 =EDATE(C32,D32)
Mon 12-Jan-98 3 Sun 12-Apr-98 =EDATE(C33,D33)
The company decide not to end contracts on Saturday or Sunday.
The =WEEKDAY() function has been used to identify the actaul weekday number of the end date.
If the week day number is 6 or 7, (Sat or Sun), then 5 is subtracted from the =EDATE() to
ensure the end of contract falls on a Friday.
Start Duration End
Tue 06-Jan-98 3 Mon 06-Apr-98
Mon 12-Jan-98 3 Fri 10-Apr-98
Fri 09-Jan-98 4 Fri 08-May-98
Fri 09-Jan-98 3 Thu 09-Apr-98
Mon 19-Jan-98 3 Fri 17-Apr-98
Mon 26-Jan-98 3 Fri 24-Apr-98
Mon 12-Jan-98 3 Fri 10-Apr-98
=EDATE(C48,D48)-IF(WEEKDAY(EDATE(C48,D48),2)>5,WEEKDAY(EDATE(C48,D48),2)-5,0)
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
EOMONTH
Page 82 of 212
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A B C D E F G
EOMONTH
StartDate Plus Months End Of Month
5-Jan-98 2 35885 =EOMONTH(C4,D4)
5-Jan-98 2 31-Mar-98 =EOMONTH(C5,D5)
5-Jan-98 -2 30-Nov-97 =EOMONTH(C6,D6)
What Does It Do?
This function will show the last day of the month which is a specified number of months
before or after a given date.
Syntax
=EOMONTH(StartDate,Months)
Formatting
The result will normally be expressed as a number, this can be formatted to represent
a date by using the Format,Cells,Number,Date command.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
ERROR.TYPE
Page 83 of 212
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A B C D E F G
ERROR.TYPE
Data The Error Error Type
10 0 #DIV/0! 2 =ERROR.TYPE(E4)
10 3 #NAME? 5 =ERROR.TYPE(E5)
10 3 #REF! 4 =ERROR.TYPE(E6)
10:00 13:00 ############## #N/A =ERROR.TYPE(E7)
What Does It Do?
This function will show a number which corresponds to an error produced by a formula.
Syntax
=ERROR.TYPE(Error)
Error is the cell reference where the error occurred.
Formatting
The result will be formatted as a normal number.
Example
See Example 4 in the =DGET() function.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
EVEN
Page 84 of 212
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A B C D E F G H
EVEN
Original Value Evenly Rounded
1 2 =EVEN(C4)
1.2 2 =EVEN(C5)
2.3 4 =EVEN(C6)
25 26 =EVEN(C7)
What Does It Do ?
This function round a number up the nearest even whole number.
Syntax
=EVEN(Number)
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Example
The following table is used by a garage which repairs cars.
The garage is repairing a fleet of cars from three manufactures.
Each manufacturer uses a different type of windscreen wiper which are only supplied in pairs.
Table 1 was used to enter the number of wipers required for each type of car
and then show how many pairs need to be ordered.
Table 1
Car Wipers To Order Pairs to Order
Vauxhall 5 3 =EVEN(D28)/2
Ford 9 5 =EVEN(D29)/2
Peugeot 7 4 =EVEN(D30)/2
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
EXACT
Page 85 of 212
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A B C D E F G H I J
EXACT
Text1 Text2 Result
Hello Hello TRUE =EXACT(C4,D4)
Hello hello FALSE =EXACT(C5,D5)
Hello Goodbye FALSE =EXACT(C6,D6)
What Does It Do?
This function compares two items of text and determine whether they are exactly the same.
The case of the characters is taken into account, only words which are spelt the same and
which have upper and lower case characters in the same position will be considered as equal.
Syntax
=EXACT(Text1,Text2)
Only two items of text can be compared.
Formatting
If the two items of text are exactly the same the result of TRUE will be shown.
If there is any difference in the two items of text the result of FALSE will be shown.
Example
Here is a simple password checking formula.
You need to guess the correct password.
The password is the name of a colour, either red blue or green.
The case of the password is important.
The =EXACT() function is used to check your guess.
Guess the password : red
Is it correct : No
(To stop you from cheating, the correct password has been entered as a series of =CHAR()
functions, which use the ANSI number of the characters rather than the character itself!)
Its still very easy though.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
FACT
Page 86 of 212
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FACT
Number Factorial
3 6 =FACT(C4)
3.5 6 =FACT(C5)
5 120 =FACT(C6)
10 3,628,800 =FACT(C7)
20 2,432,902,008,176,640,000 =FACT(C8)
What Does It Do ?
This function calculates the factorial of a number.
The factorial is calculated as 1*2*3*4..etc.
The factorial of 5 is calculated as 1*2*3*4*5, which results in 120.
Decimal fractions of the number are ignored.
Syntax
=FACT(Number)
Formatting.
No special formatting is needed.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
FIND
Page 87 of 212
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A B C D E F G
FIND
Text Letter To Find Position Of Letter
Hello e 2 =FIND(D4,C4)
Hello H 1 =FIND(D5,C5)
Hello o 5 =FIND(D6,C6)
Alan Williams a 3 =FIND(D7,C7)
Alan Williams a 11 =FIND(D8,C8,6)
Alan Williams T #VALUE! =FIND(D9,C9)
What Does It Do?
This function looks for a specified letter inside another piece of text.
When the letter is found the position is shown as a number.
If the text contains more than one reference to the letter, the first occurrence is used.
An additional option can be used to start the search at a specific point in the text, thus
enabling the search to find duplicate occurrences of the letter.
If the letter is not found in the text, the result #VALUE is shown.
Syntax
=FIND(LetterToLookFor,TextToLookInside,StartPosition)
LetterToLookFor : This needs to be a single character.
TextToLookInside : This is the piece of text to be searched through.
StartPosition : This is optional, it specifies at which point in the text the search should begin.
Formatting
No special formatting is needed, the result will be shown as a number.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
FIXED
Page 88 of 212
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FIXED
Original
Number
Converted
To Text
10 10.00 =FIXED(C4)
10 10 =FIXED(C5,0)
10 10.0 =FIXED(C6,1)
10 10.00 =FIXED(C7,2)
10.25 10.25 =FIXED(C8)
10.25 10 =FIXED(C9,0)
10.25 10.3 =FIXED(C10,1)
10.25 10.25 =FIXED(C11,2)
1000 1,000.00 =FIXED(C12)
1000.23 1,000 =FIXED(C13,0)
1000.23 1000 =FIXED(C14,0,TRUE)
What Does It Do ?
This function converts a numeric value to text.
During the conversion the value can be rounded to a specific number of decimal places,
and commas can be inserted at the 1,000's.
Syntax
=FIXED(NumberToConvert,DecimalPlaces,Commas)
If DecimalPlaces places is not specified the function will assume 2.
The Commas option can be TRUE for commas or FALSE for no commas.
If the Commas is not specified the function will assume TRUE.
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Note that any further formatting with the Format, Cells, Number command will not have any effect.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
FLOOR
Page 89 of 212
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A B C D E F G H
FLOOR
Number Rounded Down
1.5 1 =FLOOR(C4,1)
2.3 2 =FLOOR(C5,1)
2.9 2 =FLOOR(C6,1)
123 100 =FLOOR(C7,50)
145 100 =FLOOR(C8,50)
175 150 =FLOOR(C9,50)
What Does It Do ?
This function rounds a value down to the nearest multiple specified by the user.
Syntax
=FLOOR(NumberToRound,SignificantValue)
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Example
The following table was used to calculate commission for members of a sales team.
Commission is only paid for every 1000 of sales.
The =FLOOR() function has been used to round down the Actual Sales to the
nearest 1000, which is then used as the basis for Commission.
Name Actual Sales Relevant Sales Commission
Alan 23,500 23,000 230
Bob 56,890 56,000 560
Carol 18,125 18,000 180
=FLOOR(D29,1000)
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
FORECAST
Page 90 of 212
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A B C D E F G H I
FORECAST
Month Sales
1 1,000
2 2,000
3 2,500
4 3,500
5 3,800
6 4,000
Type the month number to predict : 12
The Forecast sales figure is : 7,997 =FORECAST(E11,F4:F9,E4:E9)
What Does It Do ?
This function uses two sets of values to predict a single value.
The predicted value is based on the relationship between the two original sets of values.
If the values are sales figures for months 1 to 6, (Jan to Jun), you can use the function
to predict what the sales figure will be in any other month.
The way in which the prediction is calculated is based upon the assumption of a Linear Trend.
Syntax
=FORECAST(ItemToForeCast,RangeY,RangeX)
ItemToForecast is the point in the future, (or past), for which you need the forecast.
RangeY is the list of values which contain the historical data to be used as the basis
of the forecast, such as Sales figures.
RangeX is the intervals used when recording the historical data, such as Month number.
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Example
The following table was used by a company considering expansion of their sales team.
The Size and Performance of the previous teams over a period of three years were entered.
The size of the New Sales team is entered.
The =FORECAST() function is used to calculate the predicted performance for the new sales
team based upon a linear trend.
Year
Size Of
Sales Team
Known
Performance
1996 10 5,000
1997 20 8,000
1998 30 8,500
Size Of The New Sales Team : 40
Estimated Forecast Of Performance : 10,667 =FORECAST(E43,E39:E41,D39:D41)
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
FREQUENCY
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FREQUENCY
Jan Feb Mar
North 5,000 6,000 4,500
South 5,800 7,000 3,000
East 3,500 2,000 10,000
West 12,000 4,000 6,000
Sales 4,000 and below. 4,000 4 {=FREQUENCY(D4:F7,E9:E11)}
Sales above 4,000 up to 6,000 6,000 5 {=FREQUENCY(D4:F7,E9:E11)}
Sales above 6,000 999,999 3 {=FREQUENCY(D4:F7,E9:E11)}
What Does It Do ?
This function compares a range of data against a list of intervals.
The result shows how many items in the range of data fall between the intervals.
The function is entered in the cells as an array, that is why it is enclosed in { } braces.
Syntax
=FREQUENCY(RangeOfData,ListOfIntervals)
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Example 1
The following tables were used to record the weight of a group of children.
The =FREQUENCY() function was then used to calculate the number of children whose
weights fell between specified intervals.
Weight Kg Number Of Children:
Child 1 20.47 Between 0 - 15 Kg 2
Child 2 22.83 Above 15 but less than or equal to 20 Kg 4
Child 3 15.74 Above 20 Kg 3
Child 4 10.80 {=FREQUENCY(C30:C38,C41:C43)}
Child 5 8.28 {=FREQUENCY(C30:C38,C41:C43)}
Child 6 20.66 {=FREQUENCY(C30:C38,C41:C43)}
Child 7 17.36
Child 8 16.67
Child 9 18.01
Kg Weight Intervals
15
20
100
Example 2
This example uses characters instead of values.
A restaurant has asked 40 customers for their rating of the food in the restaurant.
The ratings were entered into a table as a single letter, E, V, A, P or D.
The manager now wants to calculate how many responses fell into each category.
Unfortunately, the =FREQUENCY() function ignores text entries, so how can the frequency
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
FREQUENCY
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of text be calculated?
The answer is to use the =CODE() and =UPPER() functions.
The =UPPER() forces all the text entries to be considered as capital letters.
The =CODE() function calculates the unique ANSI code for each character.
As this code is a numeric value, the =FREQUENCY() function can then be used!
Rating Frequency
Excellent E 6 {=FREQUENCY(CODE(UPPER(B67:I71)),CODE(UPPER(C60:C64)))}
Very Good V 8 {=FREQUENCY(CODE(UPPER(B67:I71)),CODE(UPPER(C60:C64)))}
Average A 9 {=FREQUENCY(CODE(UPPER(B67:I71)),CODE(UPPER(C60:C64)))}
Poor P 8 {=FREQUENCY(CODE(UPPER(B67:I71)),CODE(UPPER(C60:C64)))}
Disgusting D 9 {=FREQUENCY(CODE(UPPER(B67:I71)),CODE(UPPER(C60:C64)))}
Customer Ratings
V D V A p A D D
V P a D A P V d
A V E P p E D A
A E d V D P a E
V e P P A V E D
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
FREQUENCY 2
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FREQUENCY 2
This example shows how the =FREQUENCY() function has been used to calculate
how often certain numbers appear in the Lottery results.
Table 1 is a record of all the results from the past seven weeks.
Table 1
Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Week 7
1st Number 3 36 5 3 2 41 45
2nd Number 6 3 19 37 23 15 4
3rd Number 15 44 35 20 47 29 44
4th Number 32 15 32 46 6 45 23
5th Number 37 31 13 22 49 13 43
6th Number 5 22 30 8 49 11 46
Bonus Ball 17 13 15 25 18 17 1
Table 2 is the list of possible number from 1 to 49, and how many appearances
each number has made during the past seven weeks.
Table 2
Lottery
Number
How Many
Appearances
1 1 {=FREQUENCY(C10:I16,B24:B72)}
2 1 {=FREQUENCY(C10:I16,B24:B72)}
3 3 {=FREQUENCY(C10:I16,B24:B72)}
4 1 {=FREQUENCY(C10:I16,B24:B72)}
5 2
6 2
7 0
8 1
9 0 Special tip!
10 0 To count how many unique numbers in a range
11 1 use the following formula. It has to be entered,
12 0 as an array, so press Ctrl+Shift+Enter rather than,
13 3 just Enter alone.
14 0
15 4 Unique values. 31
16 0
17 2 =SUM(1/COUNTIF(C10:I16,C10:I16))
18 1
19 1
20 1
21 0
22 2
23 2
24 0
25 1
26 0
27 0
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
FREQUENCY 2
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28 0
29 1
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31 1
32 2
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34 0
35 1
36 1
37 2
38 0
39 0
40 0
41 1
42 0
43 1
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45 2
46 2
47 1
48 0
49 2
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
GCD
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GCD
Numbers
Greatest
Divisor
6 15 3 =GCD(C4,D4)
28 49 7 =GCD(C5,D5)
5 99 1 =GCD(C6,D6)
Numbers
Greatest
Divisor
18 72 96 6 =GCD(C9,D9,E9)
300 500 200 100 =GCD(C10,D10,E10)
2.5 4 6 2 =GCD(C11,D11,E11)
What Does It Do ?
This function calculates the largest number which can be used to divided all the
values specified.
The result is always a whole number.
Where there is no common divisor the value of 1 is used.
Decimal fractions are ignored.
Syntax
=GCD(Number1,Number2,Number3... through to Number29)
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
GESTEP
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GESTEP
Number1 Number2 GESTEP
10 20 0 =GESTEP(C4,D4)
50 20 1 =GESTEP(C5,D5)
99 100 0 =GESTEP(C6,D6)
100 100 1 =GESTEP(C7,D7)
101 100 1 =GESTEP(C8,D8)
2 1 =GESTEP(C9,D9)
2 0 =GESTEP(C10,D10)
What Does It Do ?
This function test a number to see if it is greater than or equal to another number.
If the number is greater than or equal, the result of 1 will be shown, otherwise 0 is shown.
Syntax
=GESTEP(NumberToTest,NumberToTestAgainst)
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Example
The following table was used to calculate how many sales staff achieved their targets.
The =GESTEP() function compares the Sales with Target, and the results are totalled.
Name Sales Target GESTEP
Alan 3,000 4,000 0 =GESTEP(D27,E27)
Bob 5,000 4,000 1 =GESTEP(D28,E28)
Carol 1,000 2,000 0 =GESTEP(D29,E29)
David 2,000 2,000 1 =GESTEP(D30,E30)
Eric 8,000 7,000 1 =GESTEP(D31,E31)
Targets Achieved 3 =SUM(F27:F31)
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
HEX2DEC
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A B C D E F G
HEX2DEC
Hexadecimal Decimal Number
0 0 =HEX2DEC(C4)
1 1 =HEX2DEC(C5)
2 2 =HEX2DEC(C6)
3 3 =HEX2DEC(C7)
1A 26 =HEX2DEC(C8)
1B 27 =HEX2DEC(C9)
7FFFFFFFFF 549,755,813,887 =HEX2DEC(C10)
8000000000 -549,755,813,888 =HEX2DEC(C11)
FFFFFFFFFF -1 =HEX2DEC(C12)
FFFFFFFFFE -2 =HEX2DEC(C13)
FFFFFFFFFD -3 =HEX2DEC(C14)
What Does It Do ?
This function converts a hexadecimal number to its decimal equivalent.
Syntax
=HEX2DEC(HexaDecimalNumber)
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Example
The following table was used to add two hexadecimal values together.
Hexadecimal
Value 1 F
Value 2 1A
Result 29 =DEC2HEX(HEX2DEC(C29)+HEX2DEC(C30))
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
HLOOKUP
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HLOOKUP
Jan Feb Mar row 1 The row numbers are not needed.
10 80 97 row 2 they are part of the illustration.
20 90 69 row 3
30 100 45 row 4
40 110 51 row 5
50 120 77 row 6
Type a month to look for : Feb
Which row needs to be picked out : 4
The result is : 100 =HLOOKUP(F10,D3:F10,F11,FALSE)
What Does It Do ?
This function scans across the column headings at the top of a table to find a specified item.
When the item is found, it then scans down the column to pick a cell entry.
Syntax
=HLOOKUP(ItemToFind,RangeToLookIn,RowToPickFrom,SortedOrUnsorted)
The ItemToFind is a single item specified by the user.
The RangeToLookIn is the range of data with the column headings at the top.
The RowToPickFrom is how far down the column the function should look to pick from.
The Sorted/Unsorted is whether the column headings are sorted. TRUE for yes, FALSE for no.
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Example 1
This table is used to find a value based on a specified month and name.
The =HLOOKUP() is used to scan across to find the month.
The problem arises when we need to scan down to find the row adjacent to the name.
To solve the problem the =MATCH() function is used.
The =MATCH() looks through the list of names to find the name we require. It then calculates
the position of the name in the list. Unfortunately, because the list of names is not as deep
as the lookup range, the =MATCH() number is 1 less than we require, so and extra 1 is
added to compensate.
The =HLOOKUP() now uses this =MATCH() number to look down the month column and
picks out the correct cell entry.
The =HLOOKUP() uses FALSE at the end of the function to indicate to Excel that the
column headings are not sorted, even though to us the order of Jan,Feb,Mar is correct.
If they were sorted alphabetically they would have read as Feb,Jan,Mar.
Jan Feb Mar
Bob 10 80 97
Eric 20 90 69
Alan 30 100 45
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
HLOOKUP
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A B C D E F G H I J
Carol 40 110 51
David 50 120 77
Type a month to look for : feb
Type a name to look for : alan
The result is : 100
=HLOOKUP(F54,D47:F54,MATCH(F55,C48:C52,0)+1,FALSE)
Example 2
This example shows how the =HLOOKUP() is used to pick the cost of a spare part for
different makes of cars.
The =HLOOKUP() scans the column headings for the make of car specified in column B.
When the make is found, the =HLOOKUP() then looks down the column to the row specified
by the =MATCH() function, which scans the list of spares for the item specified in column C.
The function uses the absolute ranges indicated by the dollar symbol $. This ensures that
when the formula is copied to more cells, the ranges for =HLOOKUP() and =MATCH() do
not change.
Maker Spare Cost
Vauxhall Ignition 50 Vauxhall Ford VW
VW GearBox 600 GearBox 500 450 600
Ford Engine 1,200 Engine 1000 1200 800
VW Steering 275 Steering 250 350 275
Ford Ignition 70 Ignition 50 70 45
Ford CYHead 290 CYHead 300 290 310
Vauxhall GearBox 500
Ford Engine 1,200
=HLOOKUP(B79,G72:I77,MATCH(C79,F73:F77,0)+1,FALSE)
Example 3
In the following example a builders merchant is offering discount on large orders.
The Unit Cost Table holds the cost of 1 unit of Brick, Wood and Glass.
The Discount Table holds the various discounts for different quantities of each product.
The Orders Table is used to enter the orders and calculate the Total.
All the calculations take place in the Orders Table.
The name of the Item is typed in column C.
The Unit Cost of the item is then looked up in the Unit Cost Table.
The FALSE option has been used at the end of the function to indicate that the product
names across the top of the Unit Cost Table are not sorted.
Using the FALSE option forces the function to search for an exact match. If a match is
not found, the function will produce an error.
=HLOOKUP(C127,E111:G112,2,FALSE)
The discount is then looked up in the Discount Table
If the Quantity Ordered matches a value at the top of the Discount Table the =HLOOKUP will
look down the column to find the correct discount.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
HLOOKUP
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The TRUE option has been used at the end of the function to indicate that the values
across the top of the Discount Table are sorted.
Using TRUE will allow the function to make an approximate match. If the Quantity Ordered does
not match a value at the top of the Discount Table, the next lowest value is used.
Trying to match an order of 125 will drop down to 100, and the discount from
the 100 column is used.
=HLOOKUP(D127,E115:G118,MATCH(C127,D116:D118,0)+1,TRUE)
Unit Cost Table
Brick Wood Glass
2 1 3
Discount Table
1 100 300
Brick 0% 6% 8%
Wood 0% 3% 5%
Glass 0% 12% 15%
Orders Table
Item Units Unit Cost Discount Total
Brick 100 2 6% 188
Wood 200 1 3% 194
Glass 150 3 12% 396
Brick 225 2 6% 423
Wood 50 1 0% 50
Glass 500 3 15% 1,275
Unit Cost =HLOOKUP(C127,E111:G112,2,FALSE)
Discount =HLOOKUP(D127,E115:G118,MATCH(C127,D116:D118,0)+1,TRUE)
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
HOUR
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A B C D E F G H I
HOUR
Number Hour
21:15 21 =HOUR(C4)
0.25 6 =HOUR(C5)
What Does It Do?
The function will show the hour of the day based upon a time or a number.
Syntax
=HOUR(Number)
Formatting
The result will be shown as a normal number between 0 and 23.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
IF
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IF
Name Sales Target Result
Alan 1000 5000 Not Achieved =IF(C4>=D4,"Achieved","Not Achieved")
Bob 6000 5000 Achieved =IF(C5>=D5,"Achieved","Not Achieved")
Carol 2000 4000 Not Achieved =IF(C6>=D6,"Achieved","Not Achieved")
What Does It Do?
This function tests a condition.
If the condition is met it is considered to be TRUE.
If the condition is not met it is considered as FALSE.
Depending upon the result, one of two actions will be carried out.
Syntax
=IF(Condition,ActionIfTrue,ActionIfFalse)
The Condition is usually a test of two cells, such as A1=A2.
The ActionIfTrue and ActionIfFalse can be numbers, text or calculations.
Formatting
No special formatting is required.
Example 1
The following table shows the Sales figures and Targets for sales reps.
Each has their own target which they must reach.
The =IF() function is used to compare the Sales with the Target.
If the Sales are greater than or equal to the Target the result of Achieved is shown.
If the Sales do not reach the target the result of Not Achieved is shown.
Note that the text used in the =IF() function needs to be placed in double quotes "Achieved".
Name Sales Target Result
Alan 1000 5000 Not Achieved =IF(C31>=D31,"Achieved","Not Achieved")
Bob 6000 5000 Achieved =IF(C32>=D32,"Achieved","Not Achieved")
Carol 2000 4000 Not Achieved =IF(C33>=D33,"Achieved","Not Achieved")
Example 2
The following table is similar to that in Example 1.
This time the Commission to be paid to the sales rep is calculated.
If the Sales are greater than or equal to the Target, the Commission is 10% of Sales.
If the Sales do not reach Target, the Commission is only 5% of Sales.
Name Sales Target Commission
Alan 1000 5000 50 =IF(C43>=D43,C43*10%,C43*5%)
Bob 6000 5000 600 =IF(C44>=D44,C44*10%,C44*5%)
Carol 2000 4000 100 =IF(C45>=D45,C45*10%,C45*5%)
Example 3
This example uses the =AND() within the =IF() function.
A builders merchant gives 10% discount on certain product lines.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
IF
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The discount is only given on products which are on Special Offer, when the Order Value
is 1000 or above.
The =AND() function is used with the =IF() to check that the product is on offer and that
the value of the order is above 1000.
Special Order
Product Offer Value Discount Total
Wood Yes 2,000 200 1,800
Glass No 2,000 - 2,000
Cement Yes 500 - 500
Turf Yes 3,000 300 2,700
=IF(AND(C61="Yes",D61>=1000),D61*10%,0)
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
INDEX
Page 104 of 213
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INDEX
Holiday booking price list.
People
Weeks 1 2 3 4
1 500 300 250 200
2 600 400 300 250
3 700 500 350 300
How many weeks required : 2
How many people in the party : 4
Cost per person is : 250 =INDEX(D7:G9,G11,G12)
What Does It Do ?
This function picks a value from a range of data by looking down a specified number
of rows and then across a specified number of columns.
It can be used with a single block of data, or non-continuos blocks.
Syntax
There are various forms of syntax for this function.
Syntax 1
=INDEX(RangeToLookIn,Coordinate)
This is used when the RangeToLookIn is either a single column or row.
The Co-ordinate indicates how far down or across to look when picking the data from the range.
Both of the examples below use the same syntax, but the Co-ordinate refers to a row when
the range is vertical and a column when the range is horizontal.
Colours
Red
Green
Blue Size Large Medium Small
Type either 1, 2 or 3 : 2 Type either 1, 2 or 3 : 2
The colour is : Green The size is : Medium
=INDEX(D32:D34,D36) =INDEX(G34:I34,H36)
Syntax 2
=INDEX(RangeToLookIn,RowCoordinate,ColumnColumnCordinate)
This syntax is used when the range is made up of rows and columns.
Country Currency Population Capitol
England Sterling 50 M London
France Franc 40 M Paris
Germany DM 60 M Bonn
Spain Peseta 30 M Barcelona
Type 1,2,3 or 4 for the country : 2
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
INDEX
Page 105 of 213
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Type 1,2 or 3 for statistics : 3
The result is : Paris =INDEX(D45:F48,F50,F51)
Syntax 3
=INDEX(NamedRangeToLookIn,RowCoordinate,ColumnColumnCordinate,AreaToPickFrom)
Using this syntax the range to look in can be made up of multiple areas.
The easiest way to refer to these areas is to select them and give them a single name.
The AreaToPickFrom indicates which of the multiple areas should be used.
In the following example the figures for North and South have been named as one
range called NorthAndSouth.
NORTH Qtr1 Qtr2 Qtr3 Qtr4
Bricks 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000
Wood 5,000 6,000 7,000 8,000
Glass 9,000 10,000 11,000 12,000
SOUTH Qtr1 Qtr2 Qtr3 Qtr4
Bricks 1,500 2,500 3,500 4,500
Wood 5,500 6,500 7,500 8,500
Glass 9,500 10,500 11,500 12,500
Type 1, 2 or 3 for the product : 1
Type 1, 2, 3 or 4 for the Qtr : 3
Type 1 for North or 2 for South : 2
The result is : 3500 =INDEX(NorthAndSouth,F76,F77,F78)
Example
This is an extended version of the previous example.
It allows the names of products and the quarters to be entered.
The =MATCH() function is used to find the row and column positions of the names entered.
These positions are then used by the =INDEX() function to look for the data.
EAST Qtr1 Qtr2 Qtr3 Qtr4
Bricks 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000
Wood 5,000 6,000 7,000 8,000
Glass 9,000 10,000 11,000 12,000
WEST Qtr1 Qtr2 Qtr3 Qtr4
Bricks 1,500 2,500 3,500 4,500
Wood 5,500 6,500 7,500 8,500
Glass 9,500 10,500 11,500 12,500
Type 1, 2 or 3 for the product : wood
Type 1, 2, 3 or 4 for the Qtr : qtr2
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
INDEX
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Type 1 for North or 2 for South : west
The result is : 6500
=INDEX(EastAndWest,MATCH(F100,C91:C93,0),MATCH(F101,D90:G90,0),IF(F102=C90,1,IF(F102=C95,2)))
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
INDIRECT
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A B C D E F G H I J K
INDIRECT
Jan Feb Mar
North 10 20 30
South 40 50 60
East 70 80 90
West 100 110 120
Type address of any of the cells in the above table, such as G6 : G6
The value in the cell you typed is : 80 =INDIRECT(H9)
What Does It Do ?
This function converts a plain piece of text which looks like a cell address into a usable
cell reference.
The address can be either on the same worksheet or on a different worksheet.
Syntax
=INDIRECT(Text)
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Example 1
This example shows how data can be picked form other worksheets by using
the worksheet name and a cell address.
The example uses three other worksheets named NORTH, SOUTH and EAST.
The data on these three sheets is laid out in the same cells on each sheet.
When a reference to a sheet is made the exclamation symbol ! needs to be placed
between the sheet name and cell address acting as punctuation.
Type the name of the sheet, such as North : North
Type the cell to pick data from, such as C8 : C8
The contents of the cell C8 on North is : 120 =INDIRECT(G33&"!"&G34)
The =INDIRECT() created a reference to =NORTH!C8
Example 2
This example uses the same data as above, but this time the =SUM() function is
used to calculate a total from a range of cells.
Type the name of the sheet, such as South : South
Type the start cell of the range, such as C5 : C5
Type the end cell of the range, such as C7 : C7
The sum of the range C5:C7 on South is : 1200
=SUM(INDIRECT(G44&"!"&G45&":"&G46))
The =INDIRECT() created a reference to =SUM(SOUTH!C5:C7)
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
INDIRECT
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A B C D E F G H I J K
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
INFO
Page 109 of 212
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A B C D E
INFO
System Information
Current directory C:\Users\user\Documents\ =INFO("directory")
Available bytes of memory #N/A =INFO("memavail")
Memory in use #N/A =INFO("memused")
Total bytes of memory #N/A =INFO("totmem")
Number of active worksheets 166 =INFO("numfile")
Cell currently in the top left of the window $A:$A$1 =INFO("origin")
Operating system Windows (32-bit) NT 6.01 =INFO("osversion")
Recalculation mode Automatic =INFO("recalc")
Excel version 14.0 =INFO("release")
Name of system. (PC or Mac) pcdos =INFO("system")
What Does It Do?
This function provides information about the operating environment of the computer.
Syntax
=INFO(text)
text : This is the name of the item you require information about.
Formatting
The results will be shown as text or a number depending upon what was requested.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
INT
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A B C D E F G H I
INT
Number Integer
1.5 1 =INT(C4)
2.3 2 =INT(C5)
10.75 10 =INT(C6)
-1.47589 -2 =INT(C7)
What Does It Do ?
This function rounds a number down to the nearest whole number.
Syntax
=INT(Number)
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Example
The following table was used by a school to calculate the age a child when the
school year started.
A child can only be admitted to school if they are over 8 years old.
The Birth Date and the Term Start date are entered and the age calculated.
Table 1 shows the age of the child with decimal places
Table 1
Birth Date Term Start Age
1-Jan-80 1-Sep-88 8.668035592 =(D27-C27)/365.25
5-Feb-81 1-Sep-88 7.570157426
20-Oct-79 1-Sep-88 8.8678987
1-Mar-81 1-Sep-88 7.504449008
Table 2 shows the age of the child with the Age formatted with no decimal places.
This has the effect of increasing the child age.
Table 2
Birth Date Term Start Age
1-Jan-80 1-Sep-88 9 =(D38-C38)/365.25
5-Feb-81 1-Sep-88 8
20-Oct-79 1-Sep-88 9
1-Mar-81 1-Sep-88 8
Table 3 shows the age of the child with the Age calculated using the =INT() function to
remove the decimal part of the number to give the correct age.
Table 3
Birth Date Term Start Age
1-Jan-80 1-Sep-88 8 =INT((D49-C49)/365.25)
5-Feb-81 1-Sep-88 7
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
INT
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A B C D E F G H I
20-Oct-79 1-Sep-88 8
1-Mar-81 1-Sep-88 7
Note
The age is calculated by subtracting the Birth Date from the Term Start to find the
age of the child in days.
The number of days is then divided by 365.25
The reason for using 365.25 is to take account of the leap years.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
ISBLANK
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ISBLANK
Data Is The Cell Blank
1 FALSE =ISBLANK(C4)
Hello FALSE =ISBLANK(C5)
TRUE =ISBLANK(C6)
25-Dec-98 FALSE =ISBLANK(C7)
What Does It Do?
This function will determine if there is an entry in a particular cell.
It can be used when a spreadsheet has blank cells which may cause errors, but which
will be filled later as the data is received by the user.
Usually the function is used in conjunction with the =IF() function which can test the result
of the =ISBLANK()
Syntax
=ISBLANK(CellToTest)
Formatting
Used by itself the result will be shown as TRUE or FALSE.
Example
The following example shows a list of cheques received by a company.
When the cheque is cleared the date is entered.
Until the Cleared date is entered the Cleared column is blank.
While the Cleared column is blank the cheque will still be Outstanding.
When the Cleared date is entered the cheque will be shown as Banked.
The =ISBLANK() function is used to determine whether the Cleared column is empty or not.
Cheques Received Date Date
Num From Received Amount Cleared Banked Outstanding
chq1 ABC Ltd 1-Jan-98 100 2-Jan-98 100 0
chq2 CJ Design 1-Jan-98 200 7-Jan-98 200 0
chq3 J Smith 2-Jan-98 50 0 50
chq4 Travel Co. 3-Jan-98 1,000 0 1000
chq5 J Smith 4-Jan-98 250 6-Jan-98 250 0
=IF(ISBLANK(F36),0,E36)
=IF(ISBLANK(F36),E36,0)
Totals 550 1050
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
ISERR
Page 113 of 212
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A B C D E F G H I
ISERR
Cell to test Result
3 FALSE =ISERR(D4)
#DIV/0! TRUE =ISERR(D5)
#NAME? TRUE =ISERR(D6)
#REF! TRUE =ISERR(D7)
#VALUE! TRUE =ISERR(D8)
#N/A FALSE =ISERR(D9)
#N/A FALSE =ISERR(D10)
What Does It Do ?
This function tests a cell and shows TRUE if there is an error value in the cell.
It will show FALSE if the contents of the cell calculate without an error, or if the error
is the #NA message.
Syntax
=ISERR(CellToTest)
The CellToTest can be a cell reference or a calculation.
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Example
The following tables were used by a publican to calculate the cost of a single bottle
of champagne, by dividing the cost of the crate by the quantity of bottles in the crate.
Table 1 shows what happens when the value zero 0 is entered as the number of bottles.
The #DIV/0 indicates that an attempt was made to divide by zero 0, which Excel does not do.
Table 1
Cost Of Crate : 24
Bottles In Crate : 0
Cost of single bottle : #DIV/0! =E32/E33
Table 2 shows how this error can be trapped by using the =ISERR() function.
Table 2
Cost Of Crate : 24
Bottles In Crate : 0
Cost of single bottle : Try again! =IF(ISERR(E40/E41),"Try again!",E40/E41)
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
ISERROR
Page 114 of 212
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A B C D E F G H
ISERROR
Cell to test Result
3 FALSE =ISERROR(D4)
#DIV/0! TRUE =ISERROR(D5)
#NAME? TRUE =ISERROR(D6)
#REF! TRUE =ISERROR(D7)
#VALUE! TRUE =ISERROR(D8)
#N/A TRUE =ISERROR(D9)
#N/A TRUE =ISERROR(D10)
What Does It Do ?
This function tests a cell or calculation to determine whether an error has been generated.
It will show TRUE for any type of error and FALSE if no error is found.
Syntax
=ISERROR(CellToTest)
The CellToTest can be a cell reference or a formula.
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Example
The following tables was used to calculate the difference between two dates.
Table 1 shows an error due to the fact that the first entry was entered using an inappropriate
date format.
Table 1
Start date : Jan 01 98
End date : 5-Jan-98
Difference : #VALUE! =D31-D30
Table 2 shows how the =ISERROR() function has been used to trap the error and inform the
user that there has been an error in the data entry.
Table 2
Start date : Jan 01 98
End date : 5-Jan-98
Difference : Error in data entry
=IF(ISERROR(D40-D39),"Error in data entry",D40-D39)
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
ISEVEN
Page 115 of 212
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A B C D E F G H
ISEVEN
Number Is it Even
1 FALSE =ISEVEN(C4)
2 TRUE =ISEVEN(C5)
2.5 TRUE =ISEVEN(C6)
2.6 TRUE =ISEVEN(C7)
3.5 FALSE =ISEVEN(C8)
3.6 FALSE =ISEVEN(C9)
Hello #VALUE! =ISEVEN(C10)
1-Feb-98 FALSE =ISEVEN(C11)
1-Feb-96 TRUE =ISEVEN(C12)
What Does It Do ?
This function tests a number to determine whether it is even.
An even number is shown as TRUE an odd number is shown as FALSE.
Note that decimal fractions are ignored.
Note that dates can be even or odd.
Note that text entries result in the #VALUE! error.
Syntax
=ISEVEN(CellToTest)
Formatting
No special formatting is required.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
ISLOGICAL
Page 116 of 212
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A B C D E F G H I J
ISLOGICAL
Cell To Test Result
FALSE TRUE =ISLOGICAL(D4)
TRUE TRUE =ISLOGICAL(D5)
FALSE =ISLOGICAL(D6)
20 FALSE =ISLOGICAL(D7)
1-Jan-98 FALSE =ISLOGICAL(D8)
Hello FALSE =ISLOGICAL(D9)
#DIV/0! FALSE =ISLOGICAL(D10)
What Does It Do ?
This function tests a cell to determine whether the cell contents are logical.
The logical values can only be TRUE or FALSE.
If the cell does contain a logical value, the result TRUE is shown.
If the cell does not contain a logical value, the result FALSE is shown.
Syntax
=ISLOGICAL(CellToTest)
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
ISNA
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A B C D E F G H I
ISNA
Number Result
1 FALSE =ISNA(C4)
Hello FALSE =ISNA(C5)
FALSE =ISNA(C6)
1-Jan-98 FALSE =ISNA(C7)
#N/A TRUE =ISNA(C8)
What Does It Do?
This function tests a cell to determine whether it contains the Not Available error #N/A.
The #N/A is generated when a function cannot work properly because of missing data.
The #N/A can also be typed in to a cell by the user to indicate the cell is currently empty,
but will be used for data entry in the future.
The function is normally used with other functions such as the =IF() function.
Syntax
=ISNA(CellToTest)
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
ISNONTEXT
Page 118 of 212
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A B C D E F G
ISNONTEXT
Item To Test Is It A Number?
10 TRUE =ISNONTEXT(C4)
Hello FALSE =ISNONTEXT(C5)
TRUE =ISNONTEXT(C6)
1-Jan-98 TRUE =ISNONTEXT(C7)
1OO FALSE =ISNONTEXT(C8)
What Does It Do?
This functions tests an entry to determine whether it is a number, rather than text.
It would be used to ensure that only numeric entries are used in calculations, rather
than text which looks like a number, such as typing the letter O instead of zero 0.
The function is normally used with other function such as the =IF() function.
Syntax
=ISNONTEXT(CellToTest)
Formatting
No special formatting.
Examples
The following table is used by an electrical retailer to calculate the selling price
of an item based on the buying price and the shop mark-up.
Table 1 shows the #VALUE! error generated when a number, 300, is entered
using the letter O instead of the zero 0.
Table 1
Item Buying Price Mark-up Profit
Radio 400 150% 600
TV 800 200% 1600
Video 3OO 150% #VALUE! =D32*E32
Table 2 shows how the error is trapped using the =ISNONTEXT function and
the =IF() function in the calculation.
Table 2
Item Buying Price Mark-up Profit
Radio 400 150% 600
TV 800 200% 1600
Video 3OO 150% Retype the Price
=IF(ISNONTEXT(D40),D40*E40,"Retype the Price")
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
ISNUMBER
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A B C D E F G H I J
ISNUMBER
Cell Entry Result
1 TRUE =ISNUMBER(D4)
1-Jan-98 TRUE =ISNUMBER(D5)
FALSE =ISNUMBER(D6)
#DIV/0! FALSE =ISNUMBER(D7)
Hello FALSE =ISNUMBER(D8)
What Does It Do ?
This function examines a cell or calculation to determine whether it is a numeric value.
If the cell or calculation is a numeric value the result TRUE is shown.
If the cell or calculation is not numeric, or is blank, the result FALSE is shown.
Syntax
=ISNUMBER(CellToTest)
The cell to test can be a cell reference or a calculation.
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Example
The following table was used by a personnel department to lookup the salary of an employee.
The employee can be entered as a Name or as a Numeric value.
The =ISNUMBER() function has been used to identify the type of entry made, and then
the =IF() decides which VLOOKUP to perform.
ID No. Name Salary
1 Alan 10,000
2 Eric 12,000
3 Carol 8,000
4 Bob 15,000
5 David 12,000
Type Employee Name or ID : eric
The Salary is : 12,000
=IF(ISNUMBER(E35),VLOOKUP(E35,C29:E33,3,FALSE),VLOOKUP(E35,D29:E33,2,FALSE))
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
ISODD
Page 120 of 212
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ISODD
Number Is it Odd
1 TRUE =ISODD(C4)
2 FALSE =ISODD(C5)
2.5 FALSE =ISODD(C6)
2.6 FALSE =ISODD(C7)
3.5 TRUE =ISODD(C8)
3.6 TRUE =ISODD(C9)
Hello #VALUE! =ISODD(C10)
1-Feb-98 TRUE =ISODD(C11)
1-Feb-96 FALSE =ISODD(C12)
What Does It Do ?
This function tests a number to determine whether it is odd.
An odd number is shown as TRUE an even number is shown as FALSE.
Note that decimal fractions are ignored.
Note that dates can be odd or even.
Note that text entries result in the #VALUE! error.
Syntax
=ISODD(CellToTest)
Formatting
No special formatting is required.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
ISREF
Page 121 of 212
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A B C D E F G H I
ISREF
TRUE =ISREF(A1)
FALSE =ISREF(B99)
FALSE =ISREF(Hello)
FALSE =ISREF(10)
FALSE =ISREF(NOW())
FALSE =ISREF("A1")
FALSE =ISREF(XX99)
What Does It Do ?
This function shows TRUE if given a cell address, or FALSE for any other type of value.
Its a bit of an odd one, and is normally used in macros rather than on the worksheet.
Syntax
=ISREF(ValueToTest)
The ValueToTest can be any type of data, but when used on the worksheet, it cannot be a
reference to the contents of another cell, as the reference will itself be evaluated by the function.
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
ISTEXT
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ISTEXT
Cell To Test Result
Hello TRUE =ISTEXT(D4)
1 FALSE =ISTEXT(D5)
25-Dec-98 FALSE =ISTEXT(D6)
FALSE =ISTEXT(D7)
What Does It Do ?
This functions tests an entry to determine whether it is text.
If the entry is text is shows TRUE.
If the entry is any other type it shows FALSE.
Syntax
=ISTEXT(CellToTest)
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Example
The following table was used by a personnel department to lookup the salary of an employee.
The employee can be entered as a Name or as a Numeric value.
The =ISTEXT() function has been used to identify the type of entry made, and then
the =IF() decides which VLOOKUP to perform.
ID No. Name Salary
1 Alan 10,000
2 Eric 12,000
3 Carol 8,000
4 Bob 15,000
5 David 12,000
Type Employee Name or ID : 3
The Salary is : 8,000
=IF(ISTEXT(E33),VLOOKUP(E33,D27:E31,2,FALSE),VLOOKUP(E33,C27:E31,3,FALSE))
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
LARGE
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A B C D E F G H I
LARGE
Values Highest Value 800 =LARGE(C4:C8,1)
120 2nd Highest Value 250 =LARGE(C4:C8,2)
800 3rd Highest Value 120 =LARGE(C4:C8,3)
100 4th Highest Value 120 =LARGE(C4:C8,4)
120 5th Highest Value 100 =LARGE(C4:C8,5)
250
What Does It Do ?
This function examines a list of values and picks the value at a user specified position
in the list.
Syntax
=LARGE(ListOfNumbersToExamine,PositionToPickFrom)
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Example
The following table was used to calculate the top 3 sales figures between Jan, Feb and Mar.
Sales Jan Feb Mar
North 5,000 6,000 4,500
South 5,800 7,000 3,000
East 3,500 2,000 10,000
West 12,000 4,000 6,000
Highest Value 12,000 =LARGE(D24:F27,1)
2nd Highest Value 10,000 =LARGE(D24:F27,2)
3rd Highest Value 7,000 =LARGE(D24:F27,3)
Note
Another way to find the Highest and Lowest values would have been to use
the =MAX() and =MIN() functions.
Highest 12,000 =MAX(D24:F27)
Lowest 2,000 =MIN(D24:F27)
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
LCM
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LCM
Numbers
Least
Common
Multiple
6 20 60 =LCM(C4,D4)
12 18 36 =LCM(C5,D5)
34 96 1632 =LCM(C6,D6)
What Does It Do ?
This function calculate the Least Common Multiple, which is the smallest number
that can be divided by each of the given numbers.
Syntax
=LCM(Number1,Number2,Number3... through to Number29)
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
LEFT
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A B C D E F G H I
LEFT
Text
Number Of
Characters
Required Left String
Alan Jones 1 A =LEFT(C4,D4)
Alan Jones 2 Al =LEFT(C5,D5)
Alan Jones 3 Ala =LEFT(C6,D6)
Cardiff 6 Cardif =LEFT(C7,D7)
ABC123 4 ABC1 =LEFT(C8,D8)
What Does It Do ?
This function displays a specified number of characters from the left hand side of a
piece of text.
Syntax
=LEFT(OriginalText,NumberOfCharactersRequired)
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Example
The following table was used to extract the first name of a person from their full name.
The =FIND() function was used to locate position of the space between the first and second name.
The length of the first name is therefore the position of the space minus one character.
The =LEFT() function can now extract the first name based on the position of the space.
Full Name First Name
Alan Jones Alan =LEFT(C27,FIND(" ",C27)-1)
Bob Smith Bob =LEFT(C28,FIND(" ",C28)-1)
Carol Williams Carol =LEFT(C29,FIND(" ",C29)-1)
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
LEN
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A B C D E F G H I
LEN
Text Length
Alan Jones 10 =LEN(C4)
Bob Smith 9 =LEN(C5)
Carol Williams 14 =LEN(C6)
Cardiff 7 =LEN(C7)
ABC123 6 =LEN(C8)
What Does It Do ?
This function counts the number of characters, including spaces and numbers, in a piece of text.
Syntax
=LEN(Text)
Formatting
No Special formatting is needed.
Example
This example shows how the =LEN() function is used in a formula which extracts the
second name from a text entry containing both first and second names.
Original Text
Carol Williams 6 =FIND(" ",C24)
This is the position of the space.
Carol Williams 8 =LEN(C24)-FIND(" ",C24)
This is the length of the second name.
Calculated by taking the overall length of the complete
name and subtracting the position of the space.
=RIGHT(C24,LEN(C24)-FIND(" ",C24))
This is just the second name.
Calculated by using the =RIGHT() function to extract
the rightmost characters up to the length of
the second name.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
LOOKUP (Array)
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A B C D E F G H I J
LOOKUP (Array)
Name Jan Feb Mar
Alan 10 80 97
Bob 20 90 69
Carol 30 100 45
David 40 110 51
Eric 50 120 77
Francis 60 130 28
Gail 70 140 73
Type a Name in this cell : Eric
The March value for this person is : 77 =LOOKUP(F12,D4:G10)
What Does It Do ?
This function looks for a piece of information in a list, and then picks an item from the
last cell in the adjacent row or column.
It always picks the data from the end of the row or column, so it is no good if you need
to pick data from part way across a list, (use VLOOKUP or HLOOKUP).
The way in which the function decides whether to pick from the row or column is based
on the size of the table.
If the table has more rows than columns : the function will look down the left most column
trying to find a match for the piece of information
you asked it to look for.
When a match is found, the function will look
across to the right most column to pick the
last entry on the row.
If the table has the same amount of rows and columns :
the function will look down the left most column and
work in just the same way as if the table had more
rows than columns, as in the description above.
If the table has more columns than rows : the function will look across the top row trying
to find a match for the piece of information you
have asked it to look for.
When a match is found, the function will then look
down to the bottom cell of the column to pick
the last entry of the column.
Syntax
=LOOKUP(WhatToLookFor,RangeToLookIn)
The WhatToLookFor should be a single item.
The RangeToLook in can be either horizontal or vertical.
Be careful not to include unnecessary heading in the range as these will cause errors.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
LOOKUP (Array)
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Example 1 Example 2
In this table there are more In this table there are more columns than rows, so
rows than columns, so the the row heading of Jan is not included in the
column heading of Jan is lookup range.
not included in the lookup
range. Alan Bob Carol David
Jan Jan 100 100 100 100
Alan 100
Bob 100
Carol 100
David 100
Eric 100
Fred 100
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Problems
The list of information to be looked through must be sorted in ascending order, otherwise errors
will occur, either as #N/A or incorrect results.
Table 1 shows the Name column sorted alphabetically, the results of using =LOOKUP() will
be correct.
Table 2 shows the same data, but not sorted. Sometimes the results will be correct, but other
times the result will be an #N/A error or incorrect figure.
Table 1 Table 2
Name Jan Feb Mar Name Jan Feb Mar
Alan 10 80 97 David 40 110 51
Bob 20 90 69 Eric 50 120 77
Carol 30 100 45 Alan 10 80 97
David 40 110 51 Bob 20 90 69
Eric 50 120 77 Carol 30 100 45
Francis 60 130 28 Francis 60 130 28
Gail 70 140 73 Gail 70 140 73
Name : Eric Name : Eric
Value : 77 Value : 45
=LOOKUP(C88,B80:E86) =LOOKUP(H88,G80:J86)
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
LOOKUP (Vector)
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A B C D E F G H I J
LOOKUP (Vector)
Name Jan Feb Mar
Alan 10 80 97
Bob 20 90 69
Carol 30 100 45
David 40 110 51
Eric 50 120 77
Francis 60 130 28
Gail 70 140 73
Type a Name in this cell : Eric
The Feb value for this person is : 120 =LOOKUP(F12,D4:G10,F4:F10)
What Does It Do ?
This function looks for a piece of information in a list, and then picks an item from
a second range of cells.
Syntax
=LOOKUP(WhatToLookFor,RangeToLookIn,RangeToPickFrom)
The WhatToLookFor should be a single item.
The RangeToLook in can be either horizontal or vertical.
The RangeToPickFrom must have the same number of cells in it as the RangeToLookin.
Be careful not to include unnecessary heading in the ranges as these will cause errors.
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Example
The following example shows how the =LOOKUP() function was used to match a name typed
in cell G41 against the list of names in C38:C43. When a match is found the =LOOKUP() then
picks from the second range E38:J38.
If the name Carol is used, the match is made in the third cell of the list of names, and then
the function picks the third cell from the list of values.
RangeToLookIn RangeToPickFrom
Alan 5 10 15 20 25 30
Bob
Carol
David Type a name : Carol
Eric Value : 15
Fred =LOOKUP(G41,C38:C43,E38:J38)
Problems
The list of information to be looked through must be sorted in ascending order, otherwise errors
will occur, either as #N/A or incorrect results.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
LOWER
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A B C D E F G H
LOWER
Upper Case Text Lower Case
ALAN JONES alan jones =LOWER(C4)
BOB SMITH bob smith =LOWER(C5)
CAROL WILLIAMS carol williams =LOWER(C6)
CARDIFF cardiff =LOWER(C7)
ABC123 abc123 =LOWER(C8)
What Does It Do ?
This function converts all characters in a piece of text to lower case.
Syntax
=LOWER(TextToConvert)
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
MATCH
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A B C D E F G H I
MATCH
Names Values
Bob 250
Alan 600
David 1000
Carol 4000
Type a name to look for : Alan Type a value : 1000
The position of Alan is : 2 Value position : 3
=MATCH(E9,E4:E7,0) =MATCH(I9,I4:I7,1)
What Does It Do ?
This function looks for an item in a list and shows its position.
It can be used with text and numbers.
It can look for an exact match or an approximate match.
Syntax
=MATCH(WhatToLookFor,WhereToLook,TypeOfMatch)
The TypeOfMatch either 0, 1 or -1.
Using 0 will look for an exact match. If no match is found the #NA error will be shown.
Using 1 will look for an exact match, or the next lowest number if no exact match exists.
If there is no match or next lowest number the error #NA is shown.
The list of values being examined must be sorted for this to work correctly.
Using -1 will look for an exact match, or the next highest number if no exact match exists.
If there is no exact match or next highest number the error #NA is shown.
The list must be sorted for this to work properly.
Examples 1
Using the 0 option suitable for an exact match.
The Ascending list gives the exact match.
The Descending list gives the exact match.
The Wrong Value list cannot find an exact match, so the #NA is shown.
Ascending Descending Wrong Value
10 40 10
20 30 20
30 20 30
40 10 40
20 20 25
2 3 #N/A
=MATCH(G45,G40:G43,0)
Example 2
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
MATCH
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A B C D E F G H I
Using the 1 option suitable for a ascending list to find an exact or next lowest match.
The Ascending list gives the exact match.
The Descending list gives the #NA error.
The Wrong Value list finds the next lowest number..
Ascending Descending Wrong Value
10 40 10
20 30 20
30 20 30
40 10 40
20 20 25
2 #N/A 2
=MATCH(G62,G57:G60,1)
Example 3
Using the -1 option suitable for a descending list to find an exact or next highest match.
The Ascending list gives the #NA error.
The Descending list gives the exact match.
The Wrong Value list finds the next highest number.
Ascending Descending Wrong Value
10 40 40
20 30 30
30 20 20
40 10 10
20 20 25
#N/A 3 2
=MATCH(G79,G74:G77,-1)
Example 4
The tables below were used to by a bus company taking booking for bus tours.
They need to allocate a bus with enough seats for the all the passengers.
The list of bus sizes has been entered in a list.
The number of passengers on the tour is then entered.
The =MATCH() function looks down the list to find the bus with enough seats.
If the number of passengers is not an exact match, the next biggest bus will be picked.
After the =MATCH() function has found the bus, the =INDEX() function has been used
to look down the list again and pick out the actual bus size required.
Bus Size Passengers on the tour : 23
Bus 1 54 Bus size needed : 50
Bus 2 50 =INDEX(D95:D99,MATCH(H94,D95:D99,-1),0)
Bus 3 22
Bus 4 15
Bus 5 6
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
MATCH
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A B C D E F G H I
Example 5
The tables below were used by a school to calculate the exam grades for pupils.
The list of grade breakpoints was entered in a list.
The pupils scores were entered in another list.
The pupils scores are compared against the breakpoints.
If an exact match is not found, the next lowest breakpoint is used.
The =INDEX() function then looks down the Grade list to find the grade.
Exam Score Grade Pupil Score Grade
0 Fail Alan 60 Pass
50 Pass Bob 6 Fail
90 Merit Carol 97 Distinction
95 Distinction David 89 Pass
=INDEX(D111:D114,MATCH(G114,C111:C114,1),0)
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
MAX
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A B C D E F G H I
MAX
Values Maximum
120 800 100 120 250 800 =MAX(C4:G4)
Dates Maximum
1-Jan-98 25-Dec-98 31-Mar-98 27-Dec-98 4-Jul-98 27-Dec-98 =MAX(C7:G7)
What Does It Do ?
This function picks the highest value from a list of data.
Syntax
=MAX(Range1,Range2,Range3... through to Range30)
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Example
In the following example the =MAX() function has been used to find the highest value for
each region, month and overall.
Sales Jan Feb Mar Region Max
North 5,000 6,000 4,500 6,000 =MAX(C23:E23)
South 5,800 7,000 3,000 7,000
East 3,500 2,000 10,000 10,000
West 12,000 4,000 6,000 12,000
Month Max 12,000 7,000 10,000
=MAX(E23:E26)
Overall Max 12,000
=MAX(C23:E26)
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
MEDIAN
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A B C D E F G H I J
MEDIAN
Value1 Value2 Value3 Value4 Value5 Median
20 50 10 30 40 30 =MEDIAN(C4:G4)
2000 1000 10 20 8000 1000 =MEDIAN(C6:G6)
10 20 40 40 40 40 =MEDIAN(C8:G8)
Value1 Value2 Value3 Value4 Median
20 40 30 10 25 =MEDIAN(C11:F11)
20 20 40 20 20 =MEDIAN(C13:F13)
What Does It Do ?
This function finds the median value of a group of values.
The median is not the average, it is the half way point where half the numbers in the group are
larger than it and half the numbers are less than it.
If there is no exact median number in the group, the two nearest the half way point are
added and their average is used as the median.
Syntax
=MEDIAN(Range1,Range2,Range3... through to Range30)
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
MID
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A B C D E F G H
MID
Text
Start
Position
How Many
Characters Mid String
ABCDEDF 1 3 ABC =MID(C4,D4,E4)
ABCDEDF 2 3 BCD =MID(C5,D5,E5)
ABCDEDF 5 2 ED =MID(C6,D6,E6)
ABC-100-DEF 100 =MID(C8,5,3)
ABC-200-DEF 200 =MID(C9,5,3)
ABC-300-DEF 300 =MID(C10,5,3)
Item Size: Large Large =MID(C12,12,99)
Item Size: Medium Medium =MID(C13,12,99)
Item Size: Small Small =MID(C14,12,99)
What Does It Do ?
This function picks out a piece of text from the middle of a text entry.
The function needs to know at what point it should start, and how many characters to pick.
If the number of characters to pick exceeds what is available, only the available characters
will be picked.
Syntax
=MID(OriginalText,PositionToStartPicking,NumberOfCharactersToPick)
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Example 1
The following table uses the =MID() function to extract a post code from a branch ID used
by a company.
It is assumed that all branch ID's follow the same format with the letters identifying the
postal region being in the 5th and 6th positions.
Branch ID Postal Region
DRS-CF-476 CF =MID(C35,5,2)
DRS-WA-842 WA =MID(C36,5,2)
HLT-NP-190 NP =MID(C37,5,2)
Example 2
This example shows how to extract an item which is of variable length, which is inside
a piece of text which has no standard format, other than the required text is always
between two slash / symbols.
Full Branch Code Postal Region
DRS/STC/872 STC
HDRS/FC/111 FC
S/NORTH/874 NORTH
HQ/K/875 K
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
MID
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A B C D E F G H
SPECIAL/UK & FR/876 UK & FR
=MID(C50,FIND("/",C50)+1,FIND("/",C50,FIND("/",C50)+1)-FIND("/",C50)-1)
Find the first /, plus 1 for the Start of the code.
Find the second /, occurring after the first /
Calculate the length of the text to extract, by subtracting the position
of the first / from the position of the second /
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
MIN
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MIN
Values Minimum
120 800 100 120 250 100 =MIN(C4:G4)
Dates Maximum
1-Jan-98 25-Dec-98 31-Mar-98 27-Dec-98 4-Jul-98 1-Jan-98 =MIN(C7:G7)
What Does It Do ?
This function picks the lowest value from a list of data.
Syntax
=MIN(Range1,Range2,Range3... through to Range30)
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Example
In the following example the =MIN() function has been used to find the lowest value for
each region, month and overall.
Sales Jan Feb Mar Region Min
North 5,000 6,000 4,500 4,500 =MIN(C23:E23)
South 5,800 7,000 3,000 3,000
East 3,500 2,000 10,000 2,000
West 12,000 4,000 6,000 4,000
Month MIN 3,500 2,000 3,000
=MIN(E23:E26)
Overall MIN 2,000
=MIN(C23:E26)
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
MINUTE
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A B C D E F G H I
MINUTE
Number Minute
6/2/2014 17:24 24 =MINUTE(D4)
9:15:00 PM 15 =MINUTE(D5)
0.02 28 =MINUTE(D6)
0.52 28 =MINUTE(D7)
1.52 28 =MINUTE(D8)
What Does It Do?
The function will show the minute of the hour based upon a time or a number.
Only the fraction part of the number is used as it is this which relates to time of day.
Syntax
=MINUTE(Number)
Formatting
The result will be shown as a normal number between 0 and 59.
Example
The =REPT() function has been used to make a digital display for the current time.
The time functions of =HOUR(), =MINUTE() and =SECOND() have been used in conjunction
with the =NOW() as the basis for the number of repeats.
To update the clock press the function key F9.
Clock
Hour ||||||||||||||||| 17
Minute |||||||||||||||||||||||| 24
Second |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| 48
=REPT("|",HOUR(NOW()))&" "&TEXT(HOUR(NOW()),"00")
=REPT("|",MINUTE(NOW()))&" "&TEXT(MINUTE(NOW()),"00")
=REPT("|",SECOND(NOW()))&" "&TEXT(SECOND(NOW()),"00")
Related Information
To convert a time in hh:mm format to decimal format.
Enter a time in hh:mm format : 2:45
The same time converted to a decimal : 2.75 =F38*24
To extract the hours as a decimal : 2 =INT(F38*24)
To extract the minutes as a decimal : 0.75 =MOD(F38*24,1)
To convert a time in decimal format to hh:mm format.
Enter a time in decimal format : 3.75
The same time converted to hh:mm format is : 3:45 =F49/24
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
MINUTE
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A B C D E F G H I
To extract the hours in hh:mm format : 3:00 =INT(F49)/24
To extract the minutes in hh:mm format : 0:45 =MOD(F49,1)/24
The three formula above have also been formatted as hh:mm using
the Format, Cells, Number, Time command.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
MMULT
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A B C D E F G H I J
MMULT
What Does It Do ?
This function multiplies one range of values with another range of values.
The ranges do not have to be of equal size.
The dimensions of the result range is in direct proportion to dimensions of the two input ranges.
It is an Array function and must be entered using the Ctrl+Shift+Enter combination.
Syntax
=MMULT(Range1,Range2)
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Example
The following tables were used by a company producing boxes of chocolates.
The types of chocolate produced were Milk, Dark and White.
The company boxed the chocolates in three differing mixtures of Milk, Dark and White.
In the run up to Christmas customers ordered various quantities of each box.
The chocolate company now needed to know what quantity of each type of chocolate to produce.
The =MMULT() function was used to multiply the contents of boxes by the customer orders.
The result of the =MMULT() is the total number of each type of chocolate to produce.
Chocolates in the box
Size Milk Dark White
Giant 50 50 50
Standard 30 20 10
Economy 20 5 5
Customers Orders
Giant Standard Economy
300 400 500
Quantity To Produce
Milk Dark White
37,000 25,500 21,500
{=MMULT(C32:E32,C26:E28)}
In all three cells
How It Was Done
Cells C36 to E36 were selected.
The formula =MMULT(C32:E32,C26:E28) was typed, (but not yet entered).
The keys Ctrl+Shift+Enter were pressed to confirm the entry as an array.
The formula then showed the correct result.
Getting The Dimensions Correct
The dimensions of the Result range are directly related to the two input ranges.
The number of rows in the Result should be equal to the rows in Range1.
The number of columns in the Result should be equal to the columns in Range2.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
MMULT
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Example 2
The following tables were used by the chocolate company to calculate the amount of
ingredients needed to produce batches of chocolate.
The company has four factories, each of which has to order enough Butter, Eggs and Sugar
to ensure they can meet production targets.
Range 1 contains the planned production of Milk and Dark chocolate for each factory.
Range 2 contains the amount Butter, Eggs and Sugar needed to make 1 unit of Milk or Plain.
The Result range shows the quantities of each ingredient that will have to be ordered to
meet the production target.
Note the depth of the Result is the same as the depth of Range 1, and the width of
the Result is the same as the width of Range 2.
Range 1 Range 2
Production Milk Dark Ingredients Butter Eggs Sugar
Factory 1 20 0 Milk 1 3 10
Factory 2 20 1 Dark 2 2 5
Factory 3 10 5
Factory 4 20 10
Result
Ingredients To Order Butter Eggs Sugar
Factory 1 20 60 200
Factory 2 22 62 205
Factory 3 20 40 125
Factory 4 40 80 250
{=MMULT(C69:D72,G69:I70)}
In all cells
Hint
To get a feel for how the =MMULT() function operates, set all values in Range1 and Range2
to zero 0, then change a single value in each.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
MOD
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A B C D E F G H I
MOD
Number Divisor Remainder
12 5 2 =MOD(C4,D4)
20 7 6 =MOD(C5,D5)
18 3 0 =MOD(C6,D6)
9 2 1 =MOD(C7,D7)
24 7 3 =MOD(C8,D8)
What Does It Do ?
This function calculates the remainder after a number has been divided by another number.
Syntax
=MOD(Number,Divisor)
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
MODE
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A B C D E F G H I J
MODE
Value1 Value2 Value3 Value4 Value5 Mode
20 50 10 10 40 10 =MODE(C4:G4)
40 20 40 10 40 40 =MODE(C6:G6)
10 10 99 20 20 10 =MODE(C8:G8)
20 20 99 10 10 20 =MODE(C9:G9)
10 20 20 99 10 10 =MODE(C10:G10)
10 20 30 40 50 #N/A =MODE(C12:G12)
What Does It Do ?
This function displays the most frequently occurring number in a group of numbers.
For it to work correctly there must be at least two numbers which are the same.
If all the values in the group are unique the function shows the error #N/A.
When there is more than one set of duplicates, the number closest to the beginning
of the group will be used. (Which is not really an accurate answer!)
Syntax
=MODE(Range1,Range2,Range3... through to Range30)
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Example
The following table shows garments sold in a clothes shop.
The shopkeeper wants to keep track of the most commonly sold size.
The =MODE() function has been used to calulate this.
Order Garmet Size
001 Blouse 10 Most frequently ordered size : 10
002 Skirt 10 =MODE(D33:D52)
003 Shirt 8
004 Blouse 10
005 Skirt 12 Count of size 8 : 6
006 Dress 8 =COUNTIF(D33:D52,"8")
007 Shirt 10
008 Blouse 10 Count of size 10 : 11
009 Dress 8 =COUNTIF(D33:D52,"10")
010 Shirt 10
011 Dress 12 Count of size 12 : 3
012 Skirt 12 =COUNTIF(D33:D52,"12")
013 Skirt 10
014 Shirt 10
015 Dress 8
016 Shirt 10
017 Blouse 10
018 Blouse 8
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
MODE
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A B C D E F G H I J
019 Dress 10
020 Skirt 8
Note
If the =AVERAGE() function had been used the answer would have been : 9.7
This figure is of no benefit to the shopkeeper as there are no garmets of this size!
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
MONTH
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MONTH
Original Date Month
1-Jan-98 1 =MONTH(C4)
1-Jan-98 January =MONTH(C5)
What Does It Do?
This function extracts the month from a complete date.
Syntax
=MONTH(Date)
Formatting
Normally the result will be a number, but this can be formatted to show the actual
month by using Format,Cells,Number,Custom and using the code mmm or mmmm.
Example
The =MONTH function has been used to calculate the name of the month for your birthday.
Please enter your date of birth in the format dd/mm/yy 3/25/1962
You were born in January =MONTH(F20)
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
MROUND
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A B C D E F G H I J
MROUND
Number Multiple
Rounded
Value
110 50 100 =MROUND(C4,D4)
120 50 100 =MROUND(C5,D5)
150 50 150 =MROUND(C6,D6)
160 50 150 =MROUND(C7,D7)
170 50 150 =MROUND(C8,D8)
What Does It Do ?
This function rounds a number up or down to the nearest multiple specified by the user.
Syntax
=MROUND(NumberToRound,MultipleToUse)
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
N
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N
Original Converted
1 1 =N(C4)
3 1/2 3.5 =N(C5)
3.5 3.5 =N(C6)
3.50% 0.035 =N(C7)
25-Dec-98 36154 =N(C8)
TRUE 1 =N(C9)
FALSE 0 =N(C10)
Hello 0 =N(C11)
0 =N(C12)
What Does It Do ?
This function converts a numeric entry to its mathematical value.
Anything which will not convert is shown as 0 zero.
Excel does not really need this function, due to the fact that Excel calculates in this way
naturally. The function is included for compatibility with other spreadsheet programs.
Syntax
=N(NumericEntry)
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
NA
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NA
#N/A =NA()
Value Test
10 11 =IF(ISBLANK(C6),NA(),C6+1)
#N/A =IF(ISBLANK(C7),NA(),C7+1)
30 31 =IF(ISBLANK(C8),NA(),C8+1)
Sales
North 100
South #N/A =NA()
East #N/A =NA()
West 200
Total #N/A =SUM(D11:D14)
What Does It Do ?
This function is a place marker used to indicate that required information is Not Available.
It can be type directly in to a cell as =NA() or it can be used as part of a calculation.
When the =NA() is used, any calculations which depend upon the cell will also show #NA.
It is used to indicate that all the data has not yet been entered in to the spreadsheet.
Syntax
=NA()
Formatting
No special formatting is required.
Example
The following table was used by a company to calculate the monthly Wage of an employee.
The Salary and Tax percentage are entered.
The Tax is then deducted from the Salary to calculate the Wage.
Table 1 shows that when the Tax is not entered, the Wage is still calculated.
On a large spreadsheet this may go unnoticed and the wrong Wage paid.
Table 1
Salary Tax % Pay
Alan 1000 25% 750 =C39-C39*D39
Bob 1000 1000 =C40-C40*D40
Carol 1000 20% 800 =C41-C41*D41
Table 2 shows how the =NA() has been inserted in the unknown Tax to act as a
reminder that the Tax still needs to be entered.
Table 2
Salary Tax % Pay
Alan 1000 25% 750 =C49-C49*D49
Bob 1000 #N/A #N/A =C50-C50*D50
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
NA
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A B C D E F G H I
Carol 1000 20% 800 =C51-C51*D51
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
NETWORKDAYS
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NETWORKDAYS
Start Date End Date Work Days
1-Mar-98 7-Mar-98 5 =NETWORKDAYS(C4,D4)
25-Apr-98 30-Jul-98 69 =NETWORKDAYS(C5,D5)
24-Dec-98 5-Jan-99 9 =NETWORKDAYS(C6,D6)
What Does It Do?
This function will calculate the number of working days between two dates.
It will exclude weekends and any holidays.
Syntax
=NETWORKDAYS(StartDate,EndDate,Holidays)
Holidays : This is a list of dates which will be excluded from the calculation, such as Xmas
and Bank holidays.
Formatting
The result will be shown as a number.
Note
The calculation does not include the last day. The result of using 1-Jan-98 and 5-Jan-98 will
give a result of 4. To correct this add 1 to the result. =NETWORKDAYS(Start,End,Holidays)+1
Example
The following example shows how a list of Holidays can be created.
Start Date End Date Work Days
Mon 02-Mar-98 Fri 06-Mar-98 5 =NETWORKDAYS(B28,C28,C33:C37)
Mon 02-Mar-98 Fri 13-Mar-98 10 =NETWORKDAYS(B29,C29,C33:C37)
Mon 27-Apr-98 Fri 01-May-98 4 =NETWORKDAYS(B30,C30,C33:C37)
Holidays
Bank Holiday 1-May-98
Xmas 25-Dec-98
New Year 1-Jan-97
New Year 1-Jan-98
New Year 1-Jan-99
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
NORTH
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A B C D E F G
Northern data.
Used by the example for the =INDIRECT() function.
Alan
Jan Feb Mar Total
Alan 10 20 30 60
Bob 40 50 60 150
Carol 70 80 90 240
Total 120 150 180 450
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
NOT
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NOT
Cells To Test Result
10 20 TRUE =NOT(C4>D4)
10 20 TRUE =NOT(C5=D5)
10 20 FALSE =NOT(C6<D6)
1-Jan-98 1-Feb-98 TRUE =NOT(C7>D7)
Hello Goodbye TRUE =NOT(C8=D8)
Hello Hello FALSE =NOT(C9=D9)
What Does It Do ?
This function performs a test to see if the test fails. (A type of reverse logic).
If the test fails, the result is TRUE.
If the test is met, then the result is FALSE.
Syntax
=NOT(TestToPerform)
The TestToPerform can be reference to cells or another calculation.
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Example
The following table was used by a library to track books borrowed.
The date the book was Taken out is entered.
The period of the Loan is entered.
The date the book was returned is entered.
The =NOT() function has been used to calculate whether the book was returned within
the correct time, by adding the Loan value to the Taken date.
If the book was not returned on time the result Overdue is shown, otherwise OK is shown.
Taken Loan Returned Status
1-Jan-98 14 5-Jan-98 OK =IF(NOT(D33<=B33+C33),"Overdue","OK")
1-Jan-98 14 15-Jan-98 OK =IF(NOT(D34<=B34+C34),"Overdue","OK")
1-Jan-98 14 20-Jan-98 Overdue =IF(NOT(D35<=B35+C35),"Overdue","OK")
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
NOW
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NOW
The current Date and Time
6/2/2014 17:24 =NOW()
41792.72556 =NOW()
What Does It Do?
This function shows the current date and time. The result will be updated each time the
worksheet is opened and every time an entry is made anywhere on the worksheet.
Syntax
=NOW()
Formatting
The result will be shown as a date and time. If it is formatted to show as a number
the integer part is used for the date and the decimal portion represent the time.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
ODD
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ODD
Number
Rounded
To
Next Odd
2 3 =ODD(C4)
2.4 3 =ODD(C5)
2.9 3 =ODD(C6)
3 3 =ODD(C7)
3.4 5 =ODD(C8)
3.9 5 =ODD(C9)
What Does It Do ?
This function rounds a number up to the next highest whole odd number.
Syntax
=ODD(NumberToBeRounded)
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
OR
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OR
Order No. Cost
Payment
Type
Handling
Charge
AB001 1000 Cash - =IF(OR(E4="Visa",E4="Delta"),5,0)
AB002 1000 Visa 5 =IF(OR(E5="Visa",E5="Delta"),5,0)
AB003 2000 Cheque - =IF(OR(E6="Visa",E6="Delta"),5,0)
AB004 5000 Delta 5 =IF(OR(E7="Visa",E7="Delta"),5,0)
What Does It Do?
This function tests two or more conditions to see if any of them are true.
It can be used to test that at least one of a series of numbers meets certain conditions.
Normally the OR() function would be used in conjunction with a function such as =IF().
Syntax
=OR(Test1,Test2)
Note that there can be up to 30 possible tests.
Formatting
When used by itself it will show TRUE or FALSE.
Example
The following table shows a list of orders taken by a company.
A handling charge of 5 is made on all orders paid by Visa or Delta cards.
The =OR() function has been used to determine whether the charge needs to be applied.
Order No. Cost
Payment
Type
Handling
Charge
AB001 1000 Cash - =IF(OR(E27="Visa",E27="Delta"),5,0)
AB002 1000 Visa 5
AB003 2000 Cheque -
AB004 5000 Delta 5
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
Ordering Stock
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A B C D E F G H I
Ordering Stock
This is an example of a spreadsheet to calculate the best time interval to order stock.
Scenario
A garage fits exhaust systems.
The manager orders the exhausts on a regular basis.
Each time an order is made for new stock, there is a fixed administrative cost.
The exhausts are kept in stock until needed.
Keeping the exhausts in stock incurs a cost due to capital tied up and warehouse costs.
The supplier of the Exhausts gives a discount on large orders.
Objective
Find the time interval to order stock which will result in the lowest Admin and Warehouse costs.
Input Data
Cost of a single Exhaust system : 75
Cost of keeping Exhaust in stock. (As a % of the stock value) : 12%
Quantity of Exhausts used per day : 10
Admin cost each time new Exhausts are ordered : 25
Average quantity of Exhausts in stock (As % of ordered quantity) : 0.5
Ordering Intervals to evaluate. (Expressed in Days) : 2
Suppliers first Price Break and Discount% offered : 200 1%
Suppliers second Price Break and Discount% offered : 750 5%
Output
Ordering
Interval
In Days
Quantity
Per Order
Order
Value
Order
Discount
Orders
Per Year
Annual
Admin
Cost
Annual
Ware
house
Costs
Annual
Total
The Best
Ordering
Interval
1 10 750 - 365 9,125 45 9,170 -
2 20 1,500 - 183 4,575 90 4,665 -
4 40 3,000 - 92 2,300 180 2,480 -
6 60 4,500 - 61 1,525 270 1,795 -
8 80 6,000 - 46 1,150 360 1,510 -
10 100 7,500 - 37 925 450 1,375 -
12 120 9,000 - 31 775 540 1,315 -
14 140 10,500 - 27 675 630 1,305 -
16 160 12,000 - 23 575 720 1,295 -
18 180 13,500 - 21 525 810 1,335 -
20 200 15,000 150 19 475 900 1,225 Best
22 220 16,500 165 17 425 990 1,250 -
24 240 18,000 180 16 400 1,080 1,300 -
26 260 19,500 195 15 375 1,170 1,350 -
28 280 21,000 210 14 350 1,260 1,400 -
30 300 22,500 225 13 325 1,350 1,450 -
32 320 24,000 240 12 300 1,440 1,500 -
34 340 25,500 255 11 275 1,530 1,550 -
36 360 27,000 270 11 275 1,620 1,625 -
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
Ordering Stock
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38 380 28,500 285 10 250 1,710 1,675 -
40 400 30,000 300 10 250 1,800 1,750 -
42 420 31,500 315 9 225 1,890 1,800 -
44 440 33,000 330 9 225 1,980 1,875 -
46 460 34,500 345 8 200 2,070 1,925 -
48 480 36,000 360 8 200 2,160 2,000 -
50 500 37,500 375 8 200 2,250 2,075 -
52 520 39,000 390 8 200 2,340 2,150 -
54 540 40,500 405 7 175 2,430 2,200 -
56 560 42,000 420 7 175 2,520 2,275 -
58 580 43,500 435 7 175 2,610 2,350 -
60 600 45,000 450 7 175 2,700 2,425 -
Things To Try
Change the Discount % to 0% and 0%.
Change the Ordering Interval to 1 or 30.
Change the Cost of the Exhaust making it cheaper or more expensive.
Change the Quantity used per day to a larger or smaller number.
Explanation
Column A Ordering Interval In Days
The first of these cells has the value 1 entered in it.
This is the smallest ordering period, which would require stock to be ordered every day.
The second cell picks the ordering interval from the Input Data table.
The third and subsequent cells add the ordering interval to the previous cell to create
a list of values of the same interval.
Column B Quantity Per Order
This is the number of Exhausts which will need to be ordered.
Calculation : OrderingInterval * QuantityUsedPerDay
Column C Order Value
This is the value of the Order before any discount.
Calculation : QuantityOrdered * CostOfExhaust
Column D Order Discount
The discount which can be subtracted from the order value.
The discount is only given on orders which are equal to or greater than the
Price Break values set by the supplier.
Calculation : OrderValue * SupplierDiscount
The supplier discount is calculated using the =IF() and the =AND() functions.
If the OrderQuantity is equal to or above the first Price Break, but below
the second Price Break, then the first Price Break discount is used.
=C29*IF(AND(B29>=$G$24,B29<$G$25),$H$24,IF(B29>=$G$25,$H$25,0))
If the OrderQuantity is equal to or above the second Price Break,
the second Price Break discount is used.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
Ordering Stock
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=C29*IF(AND(B29>=$G$24,B29<$G$25),$H$24,IF(B29>=$G$25,$H$25,0))
If the OrderQuantity does not qualify for a discount, zero discount is used.
=C29*IF(AND(B29>=$G$24,B29<$G$25),$H$24,IF(B29>=$G$25,$H$25,0))
Column E Orders Per Year
This is how many orders will need to be made based upon the ordering interval.
With an interval of 1, there will have to be 365 orders.
Calculation : 365/OrderingInterval
This calculation may give results which are decimal, such as 2.3
This decimal will cause problems, due to the fact that the number of
orders must always be a whole number.
The =CEILING() function has been used to 'round up' any decimals to
the next highest whole number.
=CEILING(365/A29,1)
Column F Annual Admin Costs
This is the administration costs involved in making the orders.
Calculation : OrdersPerYear * AdminCost
=E29*$G$20
Column G Annual Warehouse Costs
This is the cost of keeping the stock in the warehouse.
It is based on the managers knowledge that on average the stock level is 50% of the
quantity ordered.
Calculation : QuantityOrdered * AverageStockLevel) * ExhaustCost * WarehousingCost
=(B29*$G$21)*$G$17*$G$18
Column H Annual Total
This is the full yearly cost of ordering the Exhausts, based upon how frequently the
orders are made.
It does not take in to account the actual costs of the Exhausts, as the manager only
wants to know what the lowest values for the overheads associated with ordering and
storing the exhaust systems.
However, the Discount figure is taken into account as this can be used to offset some
of the overheads.
Calculation : AnnualAdminCosts + AnnualWarehouseCosts - OrderDiscount
=F29+G29-D29
Column I The Best Ordering Interval
This shows the Best ordering interval, giving the lowest annual overheads.
It compares the value in column H against the minimum value for all of column H.
If the two values match the word Best is shown, otherwise a dash is shown.
=IF(H29=MIN($H$29:$H$59),"Best","-")
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
PACKERS
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A B C D E F G
Box size Sample Packer1 Packer2 Packer3 Packer4
Small 1 10 10 10 10
Medium 1 20 20 20 21
Large 1 30 28 35 30
Small 2 11 9 10 10
Medium 2 21 20 0 20
Large 2 31 28 30 30
Small 3 8 10 12 10
Medium 3 22 20 20 19
Large 3 32 28 30 30
Box size Sample Packer1 Packer2 Packer3 Packer4
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
PERMUT
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PERMUT
Pool Of Items Items In A Group Permutations
4 2 12 =PERMUT(C4,D4)
4 3 24 =PERMUT(C5,D5)
10 4 5040 =PERMUT(C6,D6)
26 6 165,765,600 =PERMUT(C7,D7)
What Does It Do ?
This function calculates the maximum number of permutations given a fixed number of items.
The internal order is significant, so AB and BA will be considered as two possible permutations.
It could be used to calculate the possible number of 4 digit passwords from the digits 0 to 9.
Syntax
=PERMUT(PoolToPickFrom,ItemsInAGroup)
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Example
The following table was used to calculate the total number of 8 letter passwords which can
be created by using all 26 letters of the alphabet.
Letter In Alphabet 26
Password Size 8
Permutations 62,990,928,000
In the case of a two letter password made from the letter A, B, C and D, the following
twelve permutations would be possible.
ABCD
Password 1 AB Password 7 BA
Password 2 AC Password 8 CA
Password 3 AD Password 9 DA
Password 4 BC Password 10 CB
Password 5 BD Password 11 DB
Password 6 CD Password 12 DC
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
PI
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PI
p
3.14159265358979 =PI()
What Does It Do ?
This function is equal to the value of Pi.
It is correct to 15 decimal places.
It does not need any input, it is a self contained function.
Syntax
=PI()
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Example
To calculate the area of a circle.
Radius Area
5 78.54 =PI()*(C21^2)
25 1963.50
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
POWER
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POWER
Number Power Result
3 2 9 =POWER(C4,D4)
3 4 81 =POWER(C5,D5)
5 2 25 =POWER(C6,D6)
5 4 625 =POWER(C7,D7)
What Does It Do ?
This function raises a number to a user specified power.
It is the same as using the ^ operator, such as 3^4, which result is 81.
Both the POWER() function and the ^ operator are the same as using 3*3*3*3.
Syntax
=POWER(NumberToBeRaised,Power)
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Example
To calculate the area of a circle.
Radius Area
5 78.54 =PI()*POWER(C22,2)
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Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
PRODUCT
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PRODUCT
Numbers Product
2 3 6 =PRODUCT(C4,D4)
5 10 50 =PRODUCT(C5:D5)
3 7 210 =PRODUCT(C6:D6,10)
6300 =PRODUCT(C4:D6)
What Does It Do ?
This function multiples a group of numbers together.
It is the same as using 2*3*5*10*3*7, which results in 6300.
Syntax
=PRODUCT(Number1,Number2,Number3... through to Number30)
or
=PRODUCT(RangeOfNumbers)
or
=PRODUCT(Number1,Range,Number2...)
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
PROPER
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A B C D E F G H I
PROPER
Original Text Proper
alan jones Alan Jones =PROPER(C4)
bob smith Bob Smith =PROPER(C5)
caRol wILLIAMS Carol Williams =PROPER(C6)
cardiff Cardiff =PROPER(C7)
ABC123 Abc123 =PROPER(C8)
What Does It Do ?
This function converts the first letter of each word to uppercase, and all subsequent letters
are converted to lower case.
Syntax
=PROPER(TextToConvert)
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
QUARTILE
Page 166 of 212
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A B C D E F G H I J K
QUARTILE
Values Quarter No. Quartile
1 0 1 =QUARTILE(C4:C8,E4)
25 1 25 =QUARTILE(C4:C8,E5)
50 2 50 =QUARTILE(C4:C8,E6)
75 3 75 =QUARTILE(C4:C8,E7)
100 4 100 =QUARTILE(C4:C8,E8)
Values Quarter No. Quartile
817 104 640 767 0 104 =QUARTILE(C12:F16,H12)
748 756 369 703 1 285.75 =QUARTILE(C12:F16,H13)
372 993 294 261 2 489 =QUARTILE(C12:F16,H14)
487 384 185 491 3 750 =QUARTILE(C12:F16,H15)
140 607 894 182 4 993 =QUARTILE(C12:F16,H16)
What Does It Do ?
This function examines a group of values and then shows the values which are of the
upper limits of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th quarters of the data.
The Quartile of 0 (zero) is actually lowest value, which can be obtained using the =MIN() function.
The Quartile of 4 is actually highest value, which can be obtained using the =MAX() function.
Syntax
=QUARTILE(RangeToBeExamined,QuartileValue)
The QuartileValue can only be 0,1,2,3 or 4.
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
QUOTIENT
Page 167 of 212
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A B C D E F G
QUOTIENT
Number Divisor Result
12 5 2 =QUOTIENT(C4,D4)
20 3 6 =QUOTIENT(C5,D5)
46 15 3 =QUOTIENT(C6,D6)
What Does It Do ?
This function calculates the number of times a number can be divided by another number.
It ignores any remainder, only showing the whole number.
Syntax
=QUOTIENT(NumberToBeDivided,Divisor)
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Example
The following example was used by a drinks merchant to calculate the number of
crates which could be packed using bottles in stock.
The merchant can only sell full crates.
Table 1 calculates the crates by simple division. This however shows
decimal fractions which are not needed.
Table 1
Item
Bottles
To Pack
Bottles
Per Crate Crates Needed
Wine 126 12 10.5 =D28/E28
Champagne 200 8 25
Rum 15 4 3.75
Beer 250 20 12.5
Table 2 uses the =QUOTIENT() function to remove the decimal fraction to
give the correct result.
Table 2
Item
Bottles
To Pack
Bottles
Per Crate Crates Needed
Wine 126 12 10 =QUOTIENT(D39,E39)
Champagne 200 8 25
Rum 15 6 2
Beer 250 20 12
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
RAND
Page 168 of 212
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A B C D E F G H I
RAND
Random greater than or equal to 0 but less than 1.
0.651804283 =RAND()
Random greater than or equal to 0 but less than 10
7.148862333 =RAND()*10
Random between 5 and 10.
6.122472649 =RAND()*(10-5)+5
What Does It Do ?
This function creates a random number >=0 but <1.
The number will change each time the worksheet recalculates, or when F9 is pressed.
Syntax
=RAND()
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Examples
The following examples show how the =RAND() function has been used to randomly
sort list of information.
A list of cards has been entered in column C, and =RAND() in column D.
By clicking inside the random numbers and then using Data, Sort or the Sort button
the cards will be shuffled.
The same technique has been used to generate a list of six winning lottery numbers.
Card Random Lottery Random
Clubs 8 0.633518 29 0.565639318
Clubs 6 0.645155 34 0.992546415
Diamond 9 0.5897 30 0.73223585
Spades 13 0.980113 41 0.475591525
Clubs 9 0.852527 40 0.800775907
Diamond 7 0.39063 37 0.93227844
Diamond 4 0.030876 26 0.471983927
Clubs 10 0.808784 32 0.452953598
Spades 3 0.617316 21 0.466436933
Hearts 6 0.599458 19 0.456266004
Hearts 4 0.229198 7 0.46111838
Diamond 8 0.179624 10 0.280525656
Hearts 11 0.125306 16 0.890017177
Clubs 3 0.19481 8 0.494944263
Clubs 13 0.152601 48 0.403003493
Spades 5 0.612252 43 0.03527771
Diamond 3 0.348966 44 0.394269839
Spades 2 0.128216 4 0.248476376
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
RAND
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A B C D E F G H I
Diamond 6 0.34183 3 0.965366544
Clubs 5 0.817719 45 0.459217432
Spades 1 0.312261 47 0.042477142
Clubs 12 0.339367 49 0.567878654
Hearts 10 0.63359 35 0.016465731
Hearts 13 0.574705 27 0.919894238
Spades 7 0.554711 1 0.390516808
Spades 6 0.653182 13 0.898626818
Diamond 12 0.317275 31 0.401698712
Hearts 3 0.959464 5 0.167445363
Hearts 5 0.751164 18 0.403101407
Hearts 8 0.918422 39 0.569087607
Hearts 1 0.381825 23 0.317603245
Diamond 13 0.154072 12 0.850877445
Hearts 9 0.738788 11 0.598953167
Clubs 4 0.515499 20 0.986381125
Diamond 5 0.096891 33 0.130269752
Spades 4 0.476482 42 0.258704508
Clubs 1 0.411183 24 0.633535664
Spades 8 0.39758 2 0.582285649
Hearts 7 0.158296 14 0.365035998
Diamond 1 0.4877 25 0.558716845
Clubs 2 0.00612 9 0.292888804
Hearts 2 0.914632 38 0.455954035
Diamond 11 0.446583 15 0.881960073
Clubs 7 0.418786 28 0.050633606
Spades 12 0.993726 17 0.493151982
Spades 10 0.288304 6 0.031062939
Clubs 11 0.542931 22 0.358107842
Diamond 2 0.974914 46 0.213100773
Diamond 10 0.165928 36 0.683476478
Spades 9 0.359038
Spades 11 0.543721
Hearts 12 0.8402
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
RANDBETWEEN
Page 170 of 212
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A B C D E F G H I
RANDBETWEEN
Low High Random
5 10 8 =RANDBETWEEN(C4,D4)
1 49 10 =RANDBETWEEN(C5,D5)
What Does It Do ?
This function produces a random whole number between two specified numbers.
The random number will change each time the spreadsheet is recalculated or F9 is pressed.
Syntax
=RANDOMBETWEEN(LowLimit,HighLimit)
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Example
The following table shows how the =RANDBETWEEN() has been used to generate six
numbers to use for the National Lottery.
Note that the function does not check to ensure all numbers are unique, the same number
could be generated twice or more.
Lottery Numbers
The Winning
Ticket!
1 49 31 =RANDBETWEEN($C$24,$D$24) Number 1
31 =RANDBETWEEN($C$24,$D$24) Number 2
Press function Key 32 =RANDBETWEEN($C$24,$D$24) Number 3
F9 to recalculate. 13 =RANDBETWEEN($C$24,$D$24) Number 4
37 =RANDBETWEEN($C$24,$D$24) Number 5
12 =RANDBETWEEN($C$24,$D$24) Number 6
28 =RANDBETWEEN($C$24,$D$24) Bonus ball
Duplicates! Spin again
{=IF(SUM(1/COUNTIF(E24:E30,E24:E30))<>7,"Duplicates! Spin again","All OK")}
This formula is used to determine whether all the numbers are different.
It is entered as an array using Ctrl+Shift+Enter.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
RANK
Page 171 of 212
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A B C D E F G H I
RANK
Values
Ranking Position
High to Low
7 4 =RANK(C4,C4:C8)
4 5 =RANK(C5,C4:C8)
25 1 =RANK(C6,C4:C8)
8 3 =RANK(C7,C4:C8)
16 2 =RANK(C8,C4:C8)
Values
Ranking Position
Low to High
7 2 =RANK(C11,C11:C15,1)
4 1 =RANK(C12,C11:C15,1)
25 5 =RANK(C13,C11:C15,1)
8 3 =RANK(C14,C11:C15,1)
16 4 =RANK(C15,C11:C15,1)
Values
Ranking Position
High to Low
10 5 =RANK(C18,C18:C22)
30 2 =RANK(C19,C18:C22)
20 4 =RANK(C20,C18:C22)
30 2 =RANK(C21,C18:C22)
40 1 =RANK(C22,C18:C22)
What Does It Do ?
This function calculates the position of a value in a list relative to the other values in the list.
A typical usage would be to rank the times of athletes in a race to find the winner.
The ranking can be done on an ascending (low to high) or descending (high to low) basis.
If there are duplicate values in the list, they will be assigned the same rank. Subsequent ranks
would not follow on sequentially, but would take into account the fact that there were duplicates.
If the numbers 30, 20, 20 and 10 were ranked, 30 is ranked as 1, both 20's are ranked as 2, and
the 10 would be ranked as 4.
Value Rank
30 1 =RANK(B34,B34:B37)
20 2 =RANK(B35,B34:B37)
20 2 =RANK(B36,B34:B37)
10 4 =RANK(B37,B34:B37)
Syntax
=RANK(NumberToRank,ListOfNumbers,RankOrder)
The RankOrder can be 0 zero or 1.
Using 0 will rank larger numbers at the top. (This is optional, leaving it out has the same effect).
Using 1 will rank small numbers at the top.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
RANK
Page 172 of 212
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A B C D E F G H I
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Example
The following table was used to record the times for athletes competing in a race.
The =RANK() function was then used to find their race positions based upon the finishing times.
Athlete Time Race Position
John 1:30 4 =RANK(C53,C53:C58,1)
Alan 1:45 6 =RANK(C54,C53:C58,1)
David 1:02 1 =RANK(C55,C53:C58,1)
Brian 1:36 5 =RANK(C56,C53:C58,1)
Sue 1:27 3 =RANK(C57,C53:C58,1)
Alex 1:03 2 =RANK(C58,C53:C58,1)
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
REPLACE
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A B C D E F G H I
REPLACE
Original Text
Start
Position
Characters
To Replace
New
Character
Modified
Text
ABCDEFGH 2 1 x AxCDEFGH =REPLACE(C4,D4,E4,F4)
ABCDEFGH 2 5 x AxGH =REPLACE(C5,D5,E5,F5)
ABCDEFGH 2 1 hello AhelloCDEFGH =REPLACE(C6,D6,E6,F6)
ABCDEFGH 2 5 hello AhelloGH =REPLACE(C7,D7,E7,F7)
What Does It Do ?
This function replaces a portion of text with a new piece of text.
You need to specify where the replacement should start, how many characters to
remove and what the new replacement text should be.
Syntax
=REPLACE(OriginalText,StartPosition,NumberOfCharactersToReplace,NewText)
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
REPT
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A B C D E F G H I
REPT
Text To
Repeat
Number Of
Repeats
Repeated
Text
A 3 AAA =REPT(C4,D4)
AB 3 ABABAB =REPT(C5,D5)
- 10 ---------- =REPT(C6,D6)
| 10 |||||||||| =REPT(C7,D7)
What Does It Do ?
This function repeats a piece of text a specified number of times.
You need to specify the text to be repeated and how many times to repeat it.
Syntax
=REPT(TextToRepeat,Repetitions)
The maximum number of repetitions is 200.
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Example 1
The following table was used to display a simple histogram of sales figures.
The =REPT() function uses the value of Sales, but this is divided by 100 to scale down the
number of repetitions to below the maximum of 200.
Month Sales
Jan 1,000 ||||||||||||||||||||
Feb 5,000 ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mar 3,000 ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Apr 2,000 ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
=REPT("||",D29/100)
Example 2
The =REPT() function has been used to make a digital display for the current time.
The time functions of =HOUR(), =MINUTE() and =SECOND() have been used in conjunction
with the =NOW() as the basis for the number of repeats.
To update the clock press the function key F9.
Clock
Hour ||||||||||||||||| 17
Minute |||||||||||||||||||||||| 24
Second |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| 48
=REPT("|",HOUR(NOW()))&" "&TEXT(HOUR(NOW()),"00")
=REPT("|",MINUTE(NOW()))&" "&TEXT(MINUTE(NOW()),"00")
=REPT("|",SECOND(NOW()))&" "&TEXT(SECOND(NOW()),"00")
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
RIGHT
Page 175 of 212
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A B C D E F G H I
RIGHT
Original
Text
Number Of
Characters
Required
Right
String
Alan Jones 1 s =RIGHT(C4,D4)
Alan Jones 2 es =RIGHT(C5,D5)
Alan Jones 3 nes =RIGHT(C6,D6)
Cardiff 6 ardiff =RIGHT(C7,D7)
ABC123 4 C123 =RIGHT(C8,D8)
What Does It Do ?
This function displays a specified number of characters from the right hand side of a
piece of text.
Syntax
=RIGHT(OriginalText,NumberOfCharactersRequired)
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Example
The following table was used to extract the second name of a person from their full name.
The =FIND() function locates the position of the space between the first and second name.
The length of the second name is calculated by subtracting the position of the space from
the overall length of the full name.
The =RIGHT() function can then extract the second name.
Full Name Second Name
Alan Jones Jones =RIGHT(C28,LEN(C28)-FIND(" ",C28))
Bob Smith Smith =RIGHT(C29,LEN(C29)-FIND(" ",C29))
Carol Williams Williams =RIGHT(C30,LEN(C30)-FIND(" ",C30))
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
ROMAN
Page 176 of 212
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A B C D E F G H I
ROMAN
Number Roman
1 I =ROMAN(C4)
2 II =ROMAN(C5)
3 III =ROMAN(C6)
5 V =ROMAN(C7)
10 X =ROMAN(C8)
1998 MCMXCVIII =ROMAN(C9)
1998 MCMXCVIII =ROMAN(C10,0)
1998 MLMVLIII =ROMAN(C11,1)
1998 MXMVIII =ROMAN(C12,2)
1998 MVMIII =ROMAN(C13,3)
1998 MVMIII =ROMAN(C14,4)
1998 MCMXCVIII =ROMAN(C15,TRUE)
1998 MVMIII =ROMAN(C16,FALSE)
What Does It Do ?
This function produces a number shown as Roman numerals in various formats.
Syntax
=ROMAN(NormalNumber,RomanNumberFormat)
The RomanNumberFormat can be any of the following.
0 is Classic. This is used if no format is specified.
1 is more Concise.
2 is even more Concise.
3 is even more Concise still.
4 is Simplified.
TRUE is Classic
FALSE is Simplified
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Note
There is no function to do the opposite calculation of Roman to normal.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
ROUND
Page 177 of 212
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A B C D E F G H I
ROUND
Number
Places To
Round
Rounded
Number
1.47589 0 1 =ROUND(C4,D4)
1.47589 1 1.5 =ROUND(C5,D5)
1.47589 2 1.48 =ROUND(C6,D6)
13643.47589 -1 13640 =ROUND(C7,D7)
13643.47589 -2 13600 =ROUND(C8,D8)
13643.47589 -3 14000 =ROUND(C9,D9)
What Does It Do ?
This function rounds a number to a specified amount od decimal places.
If 0 is used the number is rounded to the nearest whole number.
If a negative amount of rounding is used the figures to the left of the decimal point are rounded.
Syntax
=ROUND(NumberToRound,DecimalPlacesToUse)
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
ROUNDDOWN
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A B C D E F G H I J
ROUNDDOWN
Number
Places To
Round
Rounded
Down
1.47589 0 1 =ROUNDDOWN(C4,D4)
1.47589 1 1.4 =ROUNDDOWN(C5,D5)
1.47589 2 1.47 =ROUNDDOWN(C6,D6)
13643.48 -1 13640 =ROUNDDOWN(C7,D7)
13643.48 -2 13600 =ROUNDDOWN(C8,D8)
13643.48 -3 13000 =ROUNDDOWN(C9,D9)
What Does It Do ?
This function rounds a number down to a specified amount of decimal places.
If 0 is used the number is rounded down to the nearest whole number.
If a negative amount of rounding is used the figures to the left of the decimal point are rounded.
Syntax
=ROUNDDOWN(NumberToRound,DecimalPlacesToUse)
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
ROUNDUP
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A B C D E F G H I J
ROUNDUP
Number
Places To
Round
Rounded
Up
1.47589 0 2 =ROUNDUP(C4,D4)
1.47589 1 1.5 =ROUNDUP(C5,D5)
1.47589 2 1.48 =ROUNDUP(C6,D6)
13643.48 -1 13650 =ROUNDUP(C7,D7)
13643.48 -2 13700 =ROUNDUP(C8,D8)
13643.48 -3 14000 =ROUNDUP(C9,D9)
What Does It Do ?
This function rounds a number up to a specified amount of decimal places.
If 0 is used the number is rounded up to the nearest whole number.
If a negative amount of rounding is used the figures to the left of the decimal point are rounded.
Syntax
=ROUNDUPNumberToRound,DecimalPlacesToUse)
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
SECOND
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A B C D E F G H
SECOND
Number Second
02/Jun/14 17:24:48 48 =SECOND(C4)
12:00:00 PM 0 =SECOND(C5)
0.50 0 =SECOND(C6)
0.51 24 =SECOND(C7)
1.51 24 =SECOND(C8)
What Does It Do?
The function will show the second of the minute based upon a time or a number.
Only the fraction part of the number is used as it is this which relates to time of day.
Syntax
=SECOND(Number)
Formatting
The result will be shown as a normal number between 0 and 59.
Example
The following table was used by a telephone compnay to calculate the cost of a call.
The telephone company only deals in seconds which are a multiple of 5.
The seconds in a call are rounded up to the nearest multiple of 5 before the bill is calculated.
The Duration of the call is entered.
The =MINUTES() function calculates the total number of minutes.
The =SECOND() function calculates the total number of seconds.
The =CEILING() function rounds the seconds up to the nearest muliple of 5.
The Cost of the call is then calculated.
Cost Per Second : 0.01
Billed Duration
Duration Minutes Seconds Cost
0:01:08 1 10 0.70
0:02:03 2 5 1.25
0:01:47 1 50 1.10
=CEILING(SECOND(C36),5)
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
SIGN
Page 181 of 212
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A B C D E F G H I J
SIGN
Value
Positive or
Negative
10 1 =SIGN(C4)
20 1 =SIGN(C5)
0 0 =SIGN(C6)
-10 -1 =SIGN(C7)
-20 -1 =SIGN(C8)
What Does It Do ?
This function tests a value to determine whether it is positive or negative.
If the value is positive the result is 1.
If the value is negative the result is -1.
If the value is zero 0 the result is 0.
Syntax
=SIGN(CellToTest)
The CellToTest can be a cell or a calculation.
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
SLN
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A B C D E F G H I
SLN
Cost 12,000
Salvage 2,000
Life 4
Straight Line Depreciation 2,500 =SLN(F3,F4,F5)
Purchase Value Of A New Car 20,000
Second Hand Value 8,000
Number Of Years Ownership 6
Annual Straight Line Depreciation 2,000 =SLN(F9,F10,F11)
What Does It Do ?
This function calculates the Straight Line Depreciation of an item.
(Also known as Fixed Instalment method).
The Straight Line Depreciation is how much the value of an item reduced during a specific
period of time. The result is a uniform depreciation value.
An example would be if you bought a new car for 20,000, then kept it for 6 years.
At the end of your ownership you sell the car for 8,000.
The difference between the original and the trade in price is 20,000 - 8,000 which is 12,000.
Because you owned the car for 6 years, the SLN is calculated as 12,000 / 6 which is 2,000.
Syntax
=SLN(OriginalCost,SellingPrice,LengthOfOwnership)
The LengthOfOwnership can be any time period, days, months or years.
However, the SLN which is calculated will, be for that time, specifying 2 years ownership
as 24 months will give an SLN per month.
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
SMALL
Page 183 of 212
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A B C D E F G H I
SMALL
Values Lowest Value 100 =SMALL(C4:C8,1)
120 2nd Lowest Value 120 =SMALL(C4:C8,2)
800 3rd Lowest Value 120 =SMALL(C4:C8,3)
100 4th Lowest Value 250 =SMALL(C4:C8,4)
120 5th Lowest Value 800 =SMALL(C4:C8,5)
250
What Does It Do ?
This function examines a list of values and picks the value at a user specified position
in the list.
Syntax
=SMALL(ListOfNumbersToExamine,PositionToPickFrom)
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Example
The following table was used to calculate the bottom 3 sales figures between Jan, Feb and Mar.
Sales Jan Feb Mar
North 5,000 6,000 4,500
South 5,800 7,000 3,000
East 3,500 2,000 10,000
West 12,000 4,000 6,000
Lowest Value 2,000 =SMALL(D24:F27,1)
2nd Lowest Value 3,000 =SMALL(D24:F27,2)
3rd Lowest Value 3,500 =SMALL(D24:F27,3)
Note
Another way to find the Highest and Lowest values would have been to use
the =MAX() and =MIN() functions.
Highest 12,000 =MAX(D24:F27)
Lowest 2,000 =MIN(D24:F27)
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
SOUTH
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A B C D E F
Southern data.
Used by the example for the =INDIRECT() function.
Jan Feb Mar Total
Alan 100 200 300 600
Bob 400 500 600 1500
Carol 700 800 900 2400
Total 1200 1500 1800 4500
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
STDEV
Page 185 of 212
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A B C D E F G H I J K
STDEV
Values Values Values
10 10 10
10 10 11
9 11 9
10 10 12
0.5 0.5 1.2909944
=STDEV(C4:C7) =STDEV(E4:E7) =STDEV(G4:G7)
What Does It Do ?
This function calculates the sample population standard deviation of a list of values.
A sample population is used when the list of values represents a sample of a population.
Syntax
=STDEV(Range1,Range2,Range3 through to Range30)
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Example
The table below was used by a company interested in buying a new machine
to pack washing powder.
Three machines were short listed and allow to run for a day.
At the end of the day four boxes of soap powder were picked at random from the production
of each machine.
The boxes were weighed and the =STDEV() function used as these boxes only represented
a sample of the complete days production.
The machine with the smallest deviation was the most consistent.
Soap Powder Box Filling Machine Test Results
Test 1 Test 2 Test 3 Test 4 Variance
Machine 1 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.5 0.0816 =STDEV(D34:G34)
Machine 2 1.5 1.5 1.4 1.5 0.0500 =STDEV(D35:G35)
Machine 3 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 0.1291 =STDEV(D36:G36)
The smallest deviation is : 0.0500 =MIN(H34:H36)
The machine with the smallest deviation is : Machine 2
=INDEX(C34:C36,MATCH(MIN(H34:H36),H34:H36,0))
Explanation of formula:
This finds the lowest value. =MIN(H34:H36)
This finds the position of the lowest value. =MATCH(MIN(H34:H36),H34:H36,0)
This looks down the Machine column to =INDEX(C34:C36,MATCH(MIN(H34:H36),H34:H36,0))
find the machine name.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
STDEVP
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A B C D E F G H I J K
STDEVP
Values Values Values
10 10 10
10 10 11
9 11 9
10 10 12
0.433013 0.433013 1.118034
=STDEVP(C4:C7) =STDEVP(E4:E7) =STDEVP(G4:G7)
What Does It Do ?
This function calculates the standard deviation of a list of values.
The result is calculated on the basis that the values represent the entire population.
Syntax
=STDEVP(Range1,Range2,Range3 through to Range30)
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Example
The table below was used by a company interested in buying a new machine
to pack washing powder.
A trial run of just four boxes per machine were produced.
The boxes were weighed and the =STDEVP() function used as these boxes
represented the entire test run.
The machine with the smallest variance was the most consistent. ????????????????????
Soap Powder Box Filling Machine Test Results
Test 1 Test 2 Test 3 Test 4 Variance
Machine 1 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.5 0.0707 =STDEVP(D32:G32)
Machine 2 1.5 1.5 1.4 1.5 0.0433 =STDEVP(D33:G33)
Machine 3 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 0.1118 =STDEVP(D34:G34)
The smallest variance is : 0.0433 =MIN(H32:H34)
The machine with the smallest variance is : Machine 2
=INDEX(C32:C34,MATCH(MIN(H32:H34),H32:H34,0))
Explanation of formula:
This finds the lowest value. =(MIN(H32:H34)
This finds the position of the lowest value. =MATCH(MIN(H32:H34),H32:H34,0)
This looks down the Machine column to =INDEX(C32:C34,MATCH(MIN(H32:H34),H32:H34,0))
find the machine name.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
SUBSTITUTE
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A B C D E F G H
SUBSTITUTE
Original Text
Old Text
To Remove
New Text
To Insert Updated Text
ABCDEF CD hello ABhelloEF =SUBSTITUTE(B4,C4,D4)
ABCDABCD CD hello ABhelloABhello =SUBSTITUTE(B5,C5,D5)
Northern Region Region Area Northern Area =SUBSTITUTE(B6,C6,D6)
Sand and Cement and & S& & Cement =SUBSTITUTE(B7,C7,D7)
Original Text
Old Text
To Remove
New Text
To Insert
Instance To
Be Replaced Updated Text
ABCABCABC ABC hello 3 ABCABChello
Sand and Cement and & 2 Sand & Cement
=SUBSTITUTE(B10,C10,D10,E10)
=SUBSTITUTE(B11,C11,D11,E11)
What Does It Do ?
This function replaces a specified piece of text with a different piece of text.
It can either replace all occurrences of the text, or a specific instance.
The function is case sensitive.
Syntax
=SUBSTITUTE(OriginalText,TextToRemove,TextToInsert,InstanceToUse)
The InstanceToUse is optional, if it is omitted all instances will be substituted.
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Note
To cope with upper or lower case in the substitution you can use other text functions
such as =UPPER(), =LOWER() or =PROPER() to ensure that the substitution will take place.
Table 1 shows how differing text cases alter the result of the substitution.
Table 1
Original Text
Old Text
To Remove
New Text
To Insert Updated Text
Northern Region Region Area Northern Area
Northern region Region Area Northern region
Northern Region region Area Northern Region
Northern Region Region area Northern area
Northern Region region area Northern Region
=SUBSTITUTE(B39,C39,D39)
Table 2 shows how the =PROPER() function has been used to take account of the mixed cases.
Table 2
Original Text
Old Text
To Remove
New Text
To Insert Updated Text
Northern Region Region Area Northern Area
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
SUBSTITUTE
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A B C D E F G H
Northern region Region Area Northern Area
Northern Region region Area Northern Area
Northern Region Region area Northern Area
Northern Region region area Northern Area
=SUBSTITUTE(PROPER(B50),PROPER(C50),PROPER(D50))
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
SUM
Page 189 of 213
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A B C D E F G H I J
SUM
Horizontal
100 200 300 600 =SUM(C4:E4)
Vertical
100
200
300
600 =SUM(C7:C9)
Single Cells
100 300 600 =SUM(C13,D14,E13)
200
Multiple Ranges
100 400
200 500
3000 600
4800 =SUM(C17:C19,E17:E19)
Functions
100 400
200 500
300 600
800 =SUM(AVERAGE(C23:C25),MAX(E23:E25))
What Does It Do ?
This function creates a total from a list of numbers.
It can be used either horizontally or vertically.
The numbers can be in single cells, ranges are from other functions.
Syntax
=SUM(Range1,Range2,Range3... through to Range30).
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Note
Many people use the =SUM() function incorrectly.
This example shows how the SUM has been combined with plus + symbols.
The formula is actually doing more work than needed.
It should have been entered as either =C48+C49+C50 or =SUM(C48:C50).
100
200
300
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
SUM
Page 190 of 213
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A B C D E F G H I J
600 =SUM(C48+C49+C50) Wrong!
=SUM(C48:C50) Correct
=C48+C49+C50 Correct
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
SUM_as_Running_Total
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A B C D E F G H I J
SUM (Running Total)
Using =SUM() For A Running Total
Month Sales
Running
Total
Jan 10 10 =SUM($D$7:D7)
Feb 50 60 =SUM($D$7:D8)
Mar 30 90 =SUM($D$7:D9)
Apr 20 110 =SUM($D$7:D10)
May 110 =SUM($D$7:D11)
Jun 110 =SUM($D$7:D12)
Jul 110 =SUM($D$7:D13)
Aug 110 =SUM($D$7:D14)
Sep 110 =SUM($D$7:D15)
Oct 110 =SUM($D$7:D16)
Nov 110 =SUM($D$7:D17)
Dec 110 =SUM($D$7:D18)
Type the formula =SUM($D$7:D7) in cell E7 and then copy down the table.
It works because the first reference uses dollar symbols $ to keep $D$7 static
as the formula is copied down. Each occurrence of the =SUM() then adds all
the numbers from the first cell down.
The function can be tidied up to show 0 zero when there is no adjacent value
by using the =IF() function.
Month Sales
Running
Total
Jan 10 10 =SUM(IF(D7,$D$7:D7,0))
Feb 50 60 =SUM(IF(D8,$D$7:D8,0))
Mar 30 90 =SUM(IF(D9,$D$7:D9,0))
Apr 20 110 =SUM(IF(D10,$D$7:D10,0))
May 0 =SUM(IF(D11,$D$7:D11,0))
Jun 0 =SUM(IF(D12,$D$7:D12,0))
Jul 0 The =SUM() only takes place when
Aug 0 there is data in column D.
Sep 0 Otherwise the value 0 zero is entered.
Oct 0
Nov 0
Dec 0
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
SUM_with_OFFSET
Page 192 of 212
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A B C D E F G H I J
SUM and the =OFFSET function
Sometimes it is necessary to base a calculation on a set of cells in different locations.
An example would be when a total is required from certain months of the year, such as
the last 3 months in relation to the current date.
One solution would be to retype the calculation each time new data is entered, but this
would be time consuming and open to human error.
A better way is to indicate the start and end point of the range to be calculated by
using the =OFFSET() function.
The =OFFSET() picks out a cell a certain number of cells away from another cell.
By giving the =OFFSET() the address of the first cell in the range which needs to
be totalled, we can then indicate how far away the end cell should be and the =OFFSET()
will give us the address of cell which will be the end of the range to be totalled.
The =OFFSET() needs to know three things;
1. A cell address to use as the fixed point from where it should base the offset.
2. How many rows it should look up or down from the starting point.
3. How many columns it should look left or right from the starting point.
Total Jan Feb Mar Apr May
10 10 400 500 600 700
=SUM(E24:OFFSET(E24,0,0))
This example uses E24 as the starting point and offsets no rows or columns which
results in the range being summed as E24:E24.
410 10 400 500 600 700
=SUM(E29:OFFSET(E29,0,1))
This example uses E29 as the starting point and offsets 1 col to pick out
cell F29 resulting in a the range E29:F29 being summed.
910 10 400 500 600 700
=SUM(E34:OFFSET(E34,0,2))
This example uses E34 as the starting point and offsets 2 cols to pick out
cell G34 resulting in a the range E34:G34 being summed.
Using =OFFSET() Twice In A Formula
The following examples use =OFFSET() to pick both the start and end of the range
which needs to be totalled.
Total Jan Feb Mar Apr May
400 10 400 500 600 700
=SUM(OFFSET(E45,0,1):OFFSET(E45,0,1))
The cell E45 has been used as the starting point for both offsets and each has
been offset by just 1 column. The result is that just cell F45 is used as the
range F45:F45 for the sum function to calculate.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
SUM_with_OFFSET
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A B C D E F G H I J
900 10 400 500 600 700
=SUM(OFFSET(E51,0,1):OFFSET(E51,0,2))
The cell E51 has been used as the starting point of both offsets, the first offset is
offset by 1 column, the second by 2 columns. The result is the range F51:G51 which
is then totalled.
1500 10 400 500 600 700
=SUM(OFFSET(E57,0,1):OFFSET(E57,0,3))
The cell E57 has been used as the starting point for both offsets, the first offset is
offset by 1 column, the second by 3 columns. The result is the range F57:H57 which
is then totalled.
Example
The following table shows five months of data.
To calculate the total of a specific group of months the =OFFSET() function has been used.
The Start and End dates entered in cells F71 and F72 are used as the offset to produce
a range which can be totalled.
Type in the Start month. Feb-98
Type in the End month. Mar-98
Total Jan-98 Feb-98 Mar-98 Apr-98 May-98
900 10 400 500 600 700
1020 15 20 1000 2000 3000
13 5 3 10 800 900
=SUM(OFFSET(D79,0,MONTH(F71)):OFFSET(D79,0,MONTH(F72)))
Explanation
The following formula represent a breakdown of what the =OFFSET function does.
The formula displayed below are only dummies, but they will update as you enter
dates into cells F71 and F72.
Formula 1 =SUM( OFFSET(D79,0,MONTH(F71)) : OFFSET(D79,0,MONTH(F72)) )
This is the actual formula entered by the user.
Formula 2 =SUM( OFFSET(D79,0,MONTH(2)) : OFFSET(D79,0,MONTH(3)) )
This shows how the =MONTH function calculates the month number.
In this example the values of the months are 2 and 3 for Feb and Mar.
These values are the 'offsets' relative to cell D79.
Formula 3 =SUM( OFFSET(D79,0,2) : OFFSET(D79,0,3) )
This shows where the month numbers are used in the =OFFSET function.
Formula 4 =SUM( F79:G79 )
This shows how the =OFFSET eventually equates to cell addresses
to be used as a range for the =SUM function.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
SUMIF
Page 194 of 212
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A B C D E F G H I
SUMIF
Item Date Cost
Brakes 1-Jan-98 80
Tyres 10-May-98 25
Brakes 1-Feb-98 80
Service 1-Mar-98 150
Service 5-Jan-98 300
Window 1-Jun-98 50
Tyres 1-Apr-98 200
Tyres 1-Mar-98 100
Clutch 1-May-98 250
Total cost of all Brakes bought. 160 =SUMIF(C4:C12,"Brakes",E4:E12)
Total cost of all Tyres bought. 325 =SUMIF(C4:C12,"Tyres",E4:E12)
Total of items costing 100 or above. 1000 =SUMIF(E4:E12,">=100")
Total of item typed in following cell. service 450 =SUMIF(C4:C12,E18,E4:E12)
What Does It Do ?
This function adds the value of items which match criteria set by the user.
Syntax
=SUMIF(RangeOfThingsToBeExamined,CriteriaToBeMatched,RangeOfValuesToTotal)
=SUMIF(C4:C12,"Brakes",E4:E12) This examines the names of products in C4:C12.
It then identifies the entries for Brakes.
It then totals the respective figures in E4:E12
=SUMIF(E4:E12,">=100") This examines the values in E4:E12.
If the value is >=100 the value is added to the total.
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
SUMPRODUCT
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A B C D E F G H I
SUMPRODUCT
Item Sold price
Tyres 5 100
Filters 2 10
Bulbs 3 2
Total Sales Value : 526 =SUMPRODUCT(D4:D6,E4:E6)
What Does It Do ?
This function uses at least two columns of values.
The values in the first column are multipled with the corresponding value in the second column.
The total of all the values is the result of the calculation.
Syntax
=SUMPRODUCT(Range1, Range, Range3 through to Range30)
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Example
The following table was used by a drinks merchant to keep track of stock.
The merchant needed to know the total purchase value of the stock, and the potential
value of the stock when it is sold, takinging into account the markup percentage.
The =SUMPRODUCT() function is used to multiply the Cases In Stock with the Case Price to
calculate what the merchant spent in buying the stock.
The =SUMPRODUCT() function is used to multiply the Cases In Stock with
the Bottles In Case and the Bottle Setting Price, to calculate the potential value of the
stock if it is all sold.
Product
Cases In
Stock
Case
Price
Bottles
In Case
Bottle
Cost Markup
Bottle Selling
Price
Red Wine 10 120 10 12.00 25% 15.00
White Wine 8 130 10 13.00 25% 16.25
Champagne 5 200 6 33.33 80% 60.00
Beer 50 24 12 2.00 20% 2.40
Lager 100 30 12 2.50 25% 3.13
=D39/E39 =F39+F39*G39
Total Value Of Stock : 7,440 =SUMPRODUCT(C35:C39,D35:D39)
Total Selling Price Of Stock : 9,790 =SUMPRODUCT(C35:C39,E35:E39,H35:H39)
Profit : 2,350 =E44-E43
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
SYD
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A B C D E F G H I
SYD
Purchase Value Of A New Car 20,000
Second Hand Value 8,000
Number Of Years Ownership 6
Deprecation in year 1 3,429 =SYD(F3,F4,F5,1)
Deprecation in year 2 2,857 =SYD(F3,F4,F5,2)
Deprecation in year 3 2,286 =SYD(F3,F4,F5,3)
Deprecation in year 4 1,714 =SYD(F3,F4,F5,4)
Deprecation in year 5 1,143 =SYD(F3,F4,F5,5)
Deprecation in year 6 571 =SYD(F3,F4,F5,6)
Total Depreciation : 12,000 =SUM(F7:F12)
What Does It Do ?
This function calculates the depreciation of an item throughout its life, using the sum of the
years digits.
The depreciation is greatest in the earlier part of the items life.
What is the Sum Of The Years Digits ?
The sum of the years digits adds together the each of the years of the life.
A life of 3 years has a sum of 1+2+3 equalling 6.
Each of the years is then calculated as a percentage of the sum of the years.
Year 3 is 50% of 6, year 2 is 33% of 6, year 1 is 17% 6.
The total depreciation of the item is then allocated on the basis of these percentages.
A depreciation of 9000 is allocated as 50% being 4500, 33% being 3000, 17% being 1500.
9,000
1 17% 1,500
2 33% 3,000
3 50% 4,500
As the greater part of the depreciation is allocated to the earliest years the values are
inverted, year 1 is $4500, year 2 is 3000 and year 1 is 1500.
Example 1
Purchase Price Of A Car : 10,000
Salvage Value : 1,000
Expected Life in Years : 3
As % Of Total Depreciation
Depreciation in Year 1 : 4,500 ===> 0.5
Depreciation in Year 2 : 3,000 ===> 0.333333
Depreciation in Year 3 : 1,500 ===> 0.166667
=SYD(E39,E40,E41,3)
1. Add together the digits of the Life to get the SumOfTheYearsDigits, 1+2+3=6.
2. Subtract the Salvage from the Purchase Price to get Total Deprectation, 10000-1000=9000.
3. Divide the Total Deprectation by the SumOfTheYearsDigits, 9000/6=1500.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
SYD
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A B C D E F G H I
4. Invert the year digits, 1,2,3 becomes 3,2,1.
5. Multiply 3,2,1 by 1500 to get 4500, 3000, 1500, these values are the depreciation
values for each of the three years in the life of the item.
Example 2
The same example using 4 years.
Purchase Price Of A Car : 10,000
Salvage Value : 1,000
Expected Life in Years : 4
As % Of Total Depriciation
Depreciation in Year 1 : 3,600 0.4
Depreciation in Year 2 : 2,700 0.3
Depreciation in Year 3 : 1,800 0.2
Depreciation in Year 4 : 900 0.1
Total Depreciation : 9,000 100%
Example 3
This example will adjust itself to accommodate any number of years between 1 and 10.
Purchase Price Of A Car : 10,000
Salvage Value : 1,000
Expected Life in Years (1 to 10) : 7
As % Of Total Depriciation
Year 1 2,250 25%
Year 2 1,929 21%
Year 3 1,607 18%
Year 4 1,286 14%
Year 5 964 11%
Year 6 643 7%
Year 7 321 4%
Year
Year
Year
9,000 100%
Syntax
=SYD(OriginalCost,SalvageValue,Life,PeriodToCalculate)
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
T
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A B C D E F G H I J
T
Cell To Test Result
Hello Hello =T(D4)
10 =T(D5)
1-Jan-98 =T(D6)
=T(D7)
What Does It Do ?
This function examines an entry to determine whether it is text or not.
If the value is text, then the text is the result of the function
If the value is not text, the result is a blank.
The function is not specifically needed by Excel, but is included for compatibility with
other spreadsheet programs.
Syntax
=T(CellToTest)
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
TEXT
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A B C D E F G H I J
TEXT
Original
Number
Converted
To Text
10 10.00 =TEXT(C4,"0.00")
10 10.00 =TEXT(C5,"0.00")
10 10 =TEXT(C6,"0")
10 10 =TEXT(C7,"0")
10.25 10.3 =TEXT(C8,"0.0")
10.25 10.3 =TEXT(C9,"0.0")
What Does It Do ?
This function converts a number to a piece of text.
The formatting for the text needs to be specified in the function.
Syntax
=TEXT(NumberToConvert,FormatForConversion)
Formatting
No special formatting is required.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
TIME
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A B C D E F G H I
TIME
Hour Minute Second Time
14 30 59 14:30:59 =TIME(C4,D4,E4)
14 30 59 2:30:59 PM =TIME(C5,D5,E5)
14 30 59 0.60485 =TIME(C6,D6,E6)
What Does It Do?
This function will convert three separate numbers to an actual time.
Syntax
=TIME(Hour,Minute,Second)
Formatting
The result will be shown as a time which can be formatted either as 12 or 24 hour style.
If a normal number format is applied a decimal fraction is shown which represents the
time as a fraction of the day.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
TIMEVALUE
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A B C D E F G H
TIMEVALUE
Text Time
14:30:59 0.604849537 =TIMEVALUE(C4)
14:30:59 14:30:59 =TIMEVALUE(C5)
14:30:59 2:30:59 PM =TIMEVALUE(C6)
What Does It Do?
This function will show an actual time based on a piece of text which looks
like a time. It is useful when data is imported from other applications, such as
from mainframe computers, which convert all values to text.
Syntax
=TIMEVALUE(Text)
Formatting
The result will be shown as a number representing the time a fraction of the day.
Formatting can be applied for either the 12 or 24 hour clock system.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
TODAY
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A B C D E F G
TODAY
Today Is
2-Jun-14 =TODAY()
What Does It Do?
Use this to show the current date.
Syntax
=TODAY()
Formatting
The result will normally be displayed using the DD-MMM-YY format.
Example
The following example shows how the Today function is used to calculate the number
of days since a particular day.
Date Days Since
1-Jan-97 6361 =TODAY()-C20
10-Aug-97 6140 =TODAY()-C21
Note that the result is actually the number of days before todays date. To calculate
a result which includes the current date an extra 1 will need to be added.
Date Days Since
1-Jan-97 6362 =TODAY()-C28+1
10-Aug-97 6141 =TODAY()-C29+1
Example
The following example shows the number of days from today until the year 2000.
Year 2000 Days Until
01-Jan-2000 -5266 =C36-TODAY()
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
TRANSPOSE
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A B C D E F G H I J
TRANSPOSE
Jan Feb
Alan 10 30
Bob 40 50
Carol 70 80
Total 120 160
0 Alan Bob Carol Total
Jan 10 40 70 120
Feb 30 50 80 160
{=TRANSPOSE(C3:E7)}
As an array formula in all these cells
What Does It Do ?
This function copies data from a range, and places in it in a new range, turning it so
that the data originally in columns is now in rows, and the data originally in rows
is in columns.
The transpose range must be the same size as the original range.
The function needs to be entered as an array formula.
To enter an array formula you must first highlight all the cells where the formula is required.
Next type the formula, such as =TRANSPOSE(A1:A5).
Finally press Ctrl+Shift+Enter to confirm it.
If changes need to be made to the formula, the entire array has to be highlighted, the edits
can then be made and the Ctrl+Shift+Enter used to confirm it.
Syntax
=TRANSPOSE(Range)
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
TREND
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A B C D E F G H I J
TREND WHAT IS CONST b ?
Historical Data Predicted Values
Month Sales Month Sales
1 1,000 7 4,940 {=TREND(C8:C13,B8:B13,E8:E13)}
2 2,000 8 5,551 {=TREND(C5:C10,B5:B10,E5:E10)}
3 2,500 9 6,163 {=TREND(C5:C10,B5:B10,E5:E10)}
4 3,500 10 6,774 {=TREND(C5:C10,B5:B10,E5:E10)}
5 3,800 11 7,386 {=TREND(C5:C10,B5:B10,E5:E10)}
6 4,000 12 7,997 {=TREND(C5:C10,B5:B10,E5:E10)}
What Does It Do ?
This function predicts values based upon three sets of related values.
The prediction is based upon the Linear Trend of the original values.
The function is an array function and must be entered using Ctrl+Shift+Enter.
Syntax
=TREND(KnownYs,KnownXs,RequiredXs,Constant)
The KnownYs is the range of values, such as Sales Figures.
The KnownXs is the intervals used when collecting the data, such as Months.
The RequiredXs is the range for which you want to make the prediction, such as Months.
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Example
The following tables were used by a company to predict when they would start to
make a profit.
Their bank manager had told the company that unless they could show a profit by the
end of the next year, the bank would no longer provide an overdraft facility.
To prove to the bank that, based upon the past years performance, the company would
start to make a profit at the end of the next year, the =TREND() function was used.
The historical data for the past year was entered, months 1 to 12.
The months to predict were entered, 13 to 24.
The =TREND() function shows that it will be month 22 before the company make a profit.
Historical Data Predicted Values
Month Profit Month Profit
1 -5,000 13 -2,226 {=TREND(C41:C52,B41:B52,E41:E52)}
2 -4,800 14 -1,968 The
3 -4,600 15 -1,709 same
4 -4,750 16 -1,451 function
5 -4,800 17 -1,193 used
6 -4,500 18 -935 in
7 -4,000 19 -676 all
8 -3,800 20 -418 cells
9 -3,300 21 -160 as
10 -2,000 22 98 an
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TREND
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A B C D E F G H I J
11 -2,500 23 356 array
12 -2,800 24 615 formula
How To Enter An Array Formula
Select all the cells where the array is required, such as F41 to F52.
Type the formula such as =TREND(C41:C52,B41:B52,E41:E52), but do not press Enter.
Hold the Ctrl+Shift keys down.
Press Enter to enter the formula as an array.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
TRIM
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A B C D E F G H I
TRIM
Original Text Trimmed Text
ABCD ABCD =TRIM(C4)
A B C D A B C D =TRIM(C5)
Alan Jones Alan Jones =TRIM(C6)
ABCD ABCD =TRIM(C7)
What Does It Do ?
This function removes unwanted spaces from a piece of text.
The spaces before and after the text will be removed completely.
Multiple spaces within the text will be trimmed to a single space
Syntax
=TRIM(TextToTrim)
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
TRUNC
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A B C D E F G H I J
TRUNC
Number
Precision
For
Truncation
Truncated
Number
1.47589 0 1 =TRUNC(C4,D4)
1.47589 1 1.4 =TRUNC(C5,D5)
1.47589 2 1.47 =TRUNC(C6,D6)
-1.47589 1 -1.4 =TRUNC(C7,D7)
-1.47589 2 -1.47 =TRUNC(C8,D8)
13643.48 -1 13640 =TRUNC(C9,D9)
13643.48 -2 13600 =TRUNC(C10,D10)
13643.48 -3 13000 =TRUNC(C11,D11)
What Does It Do ?
This function removes the decimal part of a number, it does not actually round the number.
Syntax
=TRUNC(NumberToTuncate,Precision)
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
UPPER
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A B C D E F G H
UPPER
Original Text Upper Case
alan jones ALAN JONES =UPPER(C4)
bob smith BOB SMITH =UPPER(C5)
carOl wiLLiamS CAROL WILLIAMS =UPPER(C6)
cardiff CARDIFF =UPPER(C7)
abc123 ABC123 =UPPER(C8)
What Does It Do ?
This function converts all characters in a piece of text to upper case.
Syntax
=UPPER(TextToConvert)
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Example
See the example for FREQUENCY.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
VALUE
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A B C D E F G H
VALUE
Text Containing A Number Value
Annual turnover was 5000 #VALUE! =VALUE(MID(C4,SEARCH("",C4),99))
There was a 2% increase in sales. 0.02
There was a 50% increase in sales. 0.5
A 100% increase was achieved. 1
Only a 2% increase in sales. 2%
Approx 50% increase in sales. 50%
There was a 100% increase in sales. 100% * See explanation below.
=VALUE(MID(SUBSTITUTE(C11," "," "),SEARCH("???%",SUBSTITUTE(C11," "," ")),4))
The winning time was 1:30 seconds. 0.0625 =VALUE(MID(C14,SEARCH("??:??",C14),5))
The winning time was 1:30 seconds. 1:30 =VALUE(MID(C15,SEARCH("??:??",C15),5))
The winning time was 10:30 seconds. 10:30 =VALUE(MID(C16,SEARCH("??:??",C16),5))
The winning time was 0:30 seconds. 0:30 =VALUE(MID(C17,SEARCH("??:??",C17),5))
What Does It Do ?
This function converts a piece of text which resembles a number into an actual value.
If the number in the middle of a long piece of text it will have to be extracted using other
text functions such as =SEARCH(), =MID(), =FIND(), =SUBSTITUTE, =LEFT() or =RIGHT().
Syntax
=VALUE(TextToConvert)
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
The result will be shown as a value, based upon the original text.
If the sign is included in the text it will be ignored.
If the % sign is included in the text, the result will be a decimal fraction which can then
be formatted as a percentage.
If the original text format appears as a time hh:mm the result will be a time.
The same will be true for other recognised formats.
Explanation of formula shown above.
To extract the values from the following text is complicated!
The actual percentage value is of variable length, it can be either one, two or three digits long.
The only way to identify the value is the fact it always ends with the % sign.
There is no way to identify the beginning of the value, other than it is preceded by a space.
The main problem is calculating the length of the value to extract.
If the extraction assumes the maximum length of three digits and the % sign, errors will occur
when the percentage is only one digit long, as alphabetic characters will be included.
To get around the problem the =SUBSTITUTE() function was used to increase the size of the
spaces in the text.
Now when the extraction takes place any unnecessary characters will be spaces which are
ignored by the =VALUE() function.
There was a 2% increase in sales. 0.02
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1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
VALUE
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A B C D E F G H
There was a 50% increase in sales. 0.5
There was a 100% increase in sales. 1
=VALUE(MID(SUBSTITUTE(C52," "," "),SEARCH("???%",SUBSTITUTE(C52," "," ")),4))
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
VAR
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A B C D E F G H I J
VAR
Values Values Values
10 10 10
10 10 11
9 11 9
10 10 12
0.25 0.25 1.6666667
=VAR(C4:C7) =VAR(E4:E7) =VAR(G4:G7)
What Does It Do ?
This function calculates the sample population variance of a list of values.
A sample population is used when the list of values represents a sample of a population.
Syntax
=VAR(Range1,Range2,Range3 through to Range30)
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Example
The table below was used by a company interested in buying a new machine
to pack washing powder.
Three machines were short listed and allow to run for a day.
At the end of the day four boxes of soap powder were picked at random from the production
of each machine.
The boxes were weighed and the =VAR() function used as these boxes only represented
a sample of the complete days production.
The machine with the smallest variance was the most consistent.
Soap Powder Box Filling Machine Test Results
Test 1 Test 2 Test 3 Test 4 Variance
Machine 1 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.5 0.0067 =VAR(D34:G34)
Machine 2 1.5 1.5 1.4 1.5 0.0025 =VAR(D35:G35)
Machine 3 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 0.0167 =VAR(D36:G36)
The smallest variance is : 0.0025 =MIN(H34:H36)
The machine with the smallest variance is : Machine 2
=INDEX(C34:C36,MATCH(MIN(H34:H36),H34:H36,0))
Explanation of formula:
This finds the lowest value. =MIN(H34:H36)
This finds the position of the lowest value. =MATCH(MIN(H34:H36),H34:H36,0)
This looks down the Machine column to =INDEX(C34:C36,MATCH(MIN(H34:H36),H34:H36,0))
find the machine name.
Excel Function Dictionary
1998 - 2000 Peter Noneley
VARP
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A B C D E F G H I J
VARP
Values Values Values
10 10 10
10 10 11
9 11 9
10 10 12
0.1875 0.1875 1.25
=VARP(C4:C7) =VARP(E4:E7) =VARP(G4:G7)
What Does It Do ?
This function calculates the variance of a list of values.
The variance is calculated on the basis that the values represent the entire population.
Syntax
=VARP(Range1,Range2,Range3 through to Range30)
Formatting
No special formatting is needed.
Example
The table below was used by a company interested in buying a new machine
to pack washing powder.
A trial run a just four boxes per machine were produced.
The boxes were weighed and the =VARP() function used as these boxes
represented the entire test run.
The machine with the smallest variance was the most consistent.
Soap Powder Box Filling Machine Test Results
Test 1 Test 2 Test 3 Test 4 Variance
Machine 1 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.5 0.0050 =VARP(D32:G32)
Machine 2 1.5 1.5 1.4 1.5 0.0019 =VARP(D33:G33)
Machine 3 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 0.0125 =VARP(D34:G34)
The smallest variance is : 0.0019 =MIN(H32:H34)
The machine with the smallest variance is : Machine 2
=INDEX(C32:C34,MATCH(MIN(H32:H34),H32:H34,0))
Explanation of formula:
This finds the lowest value. =(MIN(H32:H34)
This finds the position of the lowest value. =MATCH(MIN(H32:H34),H32:H34,0)
This looks down the Machine column to =INDEX(C32:C34,MATCH(MIN(H32:H34),H32:H34,0))
find the machine name.