Functions are predetermined formulas that perform specific computations. For example, say you want to find the total of the range A1-A30. Instead of manually entering the formula = A1+A2+A3+….+A30, you can use the sum function to perform the same task much faster.
Functions have predefined names. For example, the sum function can be used to add a group of numbers; the average function can be used to find the average of a group of numbers, etc. Functions are bound by syntax and logic similar to all formulas.
All Excel functions appear in the following form:
Below is the order of Excel function execution:
Order of Operation | Operator |
---|---|
1st | Functions inside functions |
2nd | ( ) |
3rd | ^ |
4th | * / |
5th | + – |
6th | The function itself |
Example: For the formula = sum(1+2*3,4), the multiplication is calculated first. The first argument is 7 (1 + 6), and the function returns the result of 11 (7 + 4).
Example:For the formula = sum(1, 2^3 * 4), the exponent is calculated first, followed by the multiplication. The second argument is 32 (2^3 * 4), and the function returns the result of 33 (1 + 32).
Example: For the formula =sum((1 + 2) ^ 3 – 4,5), the addition within the innermost pair of parentheses is done first, followed by the exponent and the subtraction. The first argument is 23 (3^3 – 4), and the function returns the result of 28 (23 + 5).
Example: For the formula = sum(sum(1,2,3)*4, 5), the innermost function is run first. The first argument is 24 (6 * 4), and the outermost function returns the result of 29 (24 + 5).
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