zandax online course logo
 
 
 
 
zandax 10 year anniversary
 
 
 
 
 
 
Home   >  ZandaX Blogs   >  Business Blog   >  Microsoft Software Articles   > 
The Top Ten Excel Functions You Should Know

The Top Ten Excel Functions You Should Know

 
Improving your Microsoft software skills
10 Microsoft Excel Functions that you should know. Knowing these Excel functions will make you more productive, and impact colleagues.
 
Article author: Jordan James
      Written by Jordan James
       (5-minute read)
We all use spreadsheets from time to time, some people are on them all day every day. It depends on your job role. It pays to learn about the key formulas and functions that are needed to complete the tasks on Excel that you need to do.



Some people deal with "people data" and that's all text based names and addresses etc. Some people are finance based so it's all about the numbers, they need calculations and data simulations, reports etc. The one common theme though, is knowing what key functions are useful and how do they work. This is tricky initially as we don't know what we don't know, so that's where we come in and we can show you how to use the built in functions in Excel.

Improve Your Excel Skills


If you'd like to learn more about Microsoft Excel, why not take a look at how we can help?

We have a whole range of online courses for all skill levels.
RRP from $39 – limited time offer just $8.99



There are many functions covering areas such as finance, engineering, mathematical, statistical and so it's hard to know what's needed for your particular job role.

Let's take a look at some key functions in Excel that are useful to most people, I am talking about the standard functions not the specific specialised functions.

Obviously you will need to build on this key set and use specialist ones depending on your job role and requirements. You can even write your own functions in Visual Basic, this means you can do anything in a function.

You should know the functions below as these are the key building blocks for the future:
1. SUM Function
2. SUMIF
3. IF
4. COUNT
5. AVERAGE
6. MIN
7. MAX
8. CONCATENATE
9. VLOOKUP
10. LOOKUP

We cover some of the basic functions on our Excel Introduction level course then moving onto the Intermediate course for the others and the Advanced course.

1. The SUM Function is the starting function and is used to add up a column, row or block of numbers in Excel and saves a lot of time manually trying to calculate totals:



2. The SUMIF Function lets you add up data as above but only certain data according to your requirements. Here we see its only Dave's sales figure we need:



3. The IF Function allows you to make decisions with your data and is a very powerful function to add to your toolkit of Excel functions, here we see a decision has been made to see if we have reach the sales target for Dave's January figures



4. The COUNT function checks if you have a number in a cell or range of cells usually as a cross check, here we see how many accounts have a value against them



5. The AVERAGE function simply works out an average for a set range of figures




6. The MIN function finds and shows you the minimum or smallest number in a range of values as we see below



7. The MAX function is handy too as it shows you the highest or maximum value in a range of numbers



8. The next key function to learn is CONCATENATE, this means to join together and so we can join data together with this function, very handy.



9. VLOOKUP is the next function you should know as it's a very powerful function that can find and return data for you across a set of data on another sheet.

Here we see a match on an ID from one sheet and the current quantity in stock off another sheet.



10. The last one is LOOKUP and is a variation on the VLOOKUP and allows data to be looked up across separate sheets to return a value out of any of the columns to any other column.



So in conclusion we have seen that there are many functions to learn but certain ones crop up time and time again and can solve many of the daily problems and issues that crop up in Excel for most users, think of it as having a "toolkit" of useful functions to draw from and when you are next faced with a challenge in Excel you can deploy one of these tools to solve an issue.

Don't forget that these functions can be used in combinations and a more advanced user will be aware of combo functions or multiple functions use together at the same time.

We cover this in our later course such as the Advanced Excel course and then further on the Professional Excel course. Combos give you even more power to your elbow, combining functions together to greater effect and making for a compact solution to a problem rather than lots of separate functions in different columns.

All the Excel functions operate on a logical basis so if you have a fairly logical mind you can build up a good repertoire of key useful functions as you learn Excel.

Don't forget to have fun with it! It's a very satisfying application when you know the key basic functions.

Good luck

Improve Your Excel Skills


If you'd like to learn more about Microsoft Excel, why not take a look at how we can help?

We have a whole range of online courses for all skill levels.
RRP from $39 – limited time offer just $8.99

More Articles on Microsoft Software

Version History of Microsoft Word
Version History of Microsoft Word
Jordan James
Author: Jordan James
About the article
Summary
Read about the different versions of Microsoft Word, from Activia Training, providers of flexible, cost effective Word training courses.
[ close ]
10 Ways Excel Pivot Tables can help you.
10 Ways Excel Pivot Tables can help you.
Jordan James
Author: Jordan James
About the article
Summary
Pivot Tables are extremely useful in analysing data and seeing how its linked. This looks at 10 ways to use Pivot Tables properly.
[ close ]
How to Highlight Data in Different Colors in Microsoft Word
How to Highlight Data in Different Colors in Microsoft Word
Jordan James
Author: Jordan James
About the article
Summary
Learn how to highlight data in different colors in Word with this guide on the ZandaX website.
[ close ]
How to Add Special Characters in Word with Keyboard
How to Add Special Characters in Word with Keyboard
Jordan James
Author: Jordan James
About the article
Summary
Find out how to add special characters, such as the trademark and copyright symbols in Microsoft Word, using the keyboard.
[ close ]
Enhancing Legal Operations: The Power of Microsoft Integration
Enhancing Legal Operations: The Power of Microsoft Integration
Jordan James
Author: Jordan James
About the article
Summary
With greater efficiency needed by corporate legal operations, this article looks into the advantages and applications of Microsoft integration.
[ close ]
Simplify Microsoft Excel with the Right Training Course
Simplify Microsoft Excel with the Right Training Course
Jordan James
Author: Jordan James
About the article
Summary
You can play around with Microsoft Excel for hours, and still get nowhere! Here, we give you tips on how to find a training course to help
[ close ]
Our Course Of The Month – Microsoft Project
Our Course Of The Month – Microsoft Project
Jordan James
Author: Jordan James
About the article
Summary
The course of the month this month is Microsoft Project. As a project manager, are you using the tools that are available to you?
[ close ]
What Is Microsoft Visio Used For?
What Is Microsoft Visio Used For?
Jordan James
Author: Jordan James
About the article
Summary
Microsoft Visio can be used for a lot more than people realise. Popular uses include creating organisation charts, floor plans and timelines
[ close ]
7 Reasons Why You Should Learn How to Use Excel
7 Reasons Why You Should Learn How to Use Excel
Jordan James
Author: Jordan James
About the article
Summary
The Article shows how to boost productivity with Excel, Improve Quality of Work, Versatility, You will become a God in the Office!
[ close ]
What are Macros used for in Excel?
What are Macros used for in Excel?
Jordan James
Author: Jordan James
About the article
Summary
Macros in Excel are incredibly powerful tools that can provide the user with large benefits. This article looks at what macros are for.
[ close ]
How to Use Format Painter in Excel for Multiple Cells
How to Use Format Painter in Excel for Multiple Cells
Jordan James
Author: Jordan James
About the article
Summary
Learn how to copy formats from one cell to another using the Format Painter tool in Excel, with this tutorial from Activia Training.
[ close ]
How To Use Animation Triggers In PowerPoint
How To Use Animation Triggers In PowerPoint
Jordan James
Author: Jordan James
About the article
Summary
Learn how to use animation triggers in Microsoft PowerPoint from this tutorial from Activia Training.
[ close ]
 

Write for us on the ZandaX blog

We're always looking for guest contributors to increase the variety and diversity of what we present.

Click to see how you can write for us:

 

The ZandaX Business Skills blog categories

Click a panel to visit the main category pages for the blog
Career Success
Career Success
Marketing
Marketing
Presentation Skills & Public Speaking
Presentation Skills & Public Speaking
Customer Service
Customer Service
Microsoft Software
Microsoft Software
[ This category ]

ZandaX Blog Contents

Want to see them all? Click to view a full list of articles in our blogs.

 
zandax online courses logo
"ZandaX courses are such great value, and with the help and support they give, there's no better option in the market"
ZandaX LinkedIn logo
ZandaX YouTube logo
ZandaX FaceBook logo
Course Categories
 
All content © ZandaX 2024