Inserting Functions

Functions perform such operations as summing a range of cells, rounding, determining the square root of a number, or generating a random number. EasySpreadsheet provides a large number of functions for you to use in formulas.

To insert a function:

  1. Select the cell you want to insert the function into.

  2. Go to the Insert menu, and select Function. Or, if you are in Advanced Mode, click the f(x) button (shown below).

  1. An Insert Formula window will appear.

  2. Choose a category (Mathematical, Logical, etc.) from the Category box.

  3. The list of functions (ABS, ACOS, etc.) for the selected category will appear in the Function List. For details on a function in this list, single-click on it. The details will appear in the Function Description box.

  4. Double-click on the function that you wish to insert. The function will appear in the Formula box (at the top of the Insert Formula window).

  5. Most functions require parameters. The necessary parameters are shown in the Function Description box; they are found within the closed brackets that follow the function name. For example, the parameter of the ABS function is (number), and the parameter of the SUM function is (number_list).

Type the required parameters in the Formula box, within the brackets provided. For example, the ABS function requires one number or a single cell reference for its parameter. The SUM function, however, accepts a list of numbers (separated by commas) or a cell range (such as A1:A20).

  1. To add another function to the cell, double-click a function from the Function List. The function will be added to the Formula box. The functions will be automatically separated by a plus (+) sign, but you can edit this if necessary (e.g., change it to an asterisk (*) for multiplication).

  2. Click OK when you are finished. The formula containing your function(s) will be inserted into the cell you selected. The value (result) of the formula will appear in the cell, while the formula will appear in the formula bar above your spreadsheet.

 

Insert Function Example      

Put some test values in cells B2, B3, and B4. Suppose that you wanted the average of the values in cells B2 to B4 to appear in cell B5. You could create a formula to add all the cells, and then divide by the number of cells; however, it is easier to use the AVERAGE function:

  1. Click cell B5 to select it. A heavy border will appear around the cell.

  2. Go to the Insert menu, and click Function. Or, in Advanced Mode, click the f(x) icon.

  3. The Insert Formula window will appear.

  4. In the Category box, choose Statistical.

  5. In the Function List, double-click on AVERAGE..

  6. AVERAGE() will appear in the formula box. Within the brackets, type B2, B3, B4. Or, type B2:B4, which specifies the range of cells from B2 to B4.

  7. Click OK.

  8. The average of values B2, B3 and B4 will appear in cell B5, while =AVERAGE(B2,B3,B4) will appear in the formula bar.

 

See Also:

Entering Functions