Introduction to Formulas - Logical Arguments
Backbones of Formulas
In this post you will learn the symbols that Excel uses to do math. Every cell in Excel is a calculator. If you just type data into a cell, that is what is displayed. If you start with the equals sign (=), then Excel will calculate whatever formula you insert.
A formula is simply anything that requires calculation. A function is a way to tell Excel how to do a calculation within a formula. We will cover functions at a later time.
In Excel every cell has a name or a reference. When a cell is selected, its name is displayed in the Name Box.
Here we can see that cell C3 is selected. Every cell has a default name that is the Column letter followed by the Row number.
When you select a cell, the contents of that cell are displayed in the Formula Bar.
Here we see that cell D4 contains the formula =1+2. The cell displays the result of that formula which is 3.
By putting a formula in the cell, it became a calculator. It will retain the formula, so that at a later time if you want to know how you got to the result you can still see the calculation. If you used a calculator on your desk to do this calculation, you can't tell if you made a mistake because the data you used would be gone.
This type of formula is static; it will not change until you select the cell and change the formula.
If you are referencing data in your workbook in your formula, then use cell referencing to make your formula dynamic.
In cell E4 is the formula =C3+C4. This will add the contents of these two cells and display the result. Now when you change the contents of either of those cells, the formula will recalculate.
By changing the contents of cell C3 to 5, the result of the formula =C3+C4 is now 7. This is a very powerful concept to understand. This can transform a standard spreadsheet into a program that will do the calculations you want.
Here are the symbols for the different logical arguments in Excel as well as sample formulas using those symbols.
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| Equals sign |
This may seem too simplistic, but I use this a lot. You can put a formula in the cell that you are referencing and only bring the result of that formula into the new cell. This also works on cells that contain text.
Now that you understand the structure of a formula, here is a list of the different symbols you can use to build a formula.
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| Addition and Subtraction Symbols |
The addition symbol is left of backspace and above enter on the number pad.
The subtraction symbol is two keys left of backspace and two keys above enter on the number pad.
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| Multiplication and Division Symbols |
Multiplication is the star symbol above the 8 on your keyboard and above the 9 on the number pad.
Division is the forward slash left of shift and above the 8 on the number pad.
The next two pictures demonstrate comparisons that will yield either True or False.
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| Less Than and Greater Than Symbols |
Less than is the left carrot above comma.
Greater than is the right carrot above period.
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| Dual Symbol Arguments |
These are a combination of two of the above symbols.
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| Exponent Symbol |
This symbol can be found on your keyboard above the number 6. When used in a formula the number after the up carrot is the exponent.
Because I have been repeatedly telling you that every cell is a calculator, I wanted to show you how many cells are in every Excel worksheet.
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| The Last Cell in Excel |
There are over 17 Billion cells in every Excel worksheet because some people reached the last cell in Excel 2003 and requested more. Microsoft went overboard to help ensure that this problem wouldn't happen again.
Good luck practicing these new words as you learn the language of Excel.
Click-through to the Vlog version of this episode on YouTube HERE
Next week we will look at the Autofill Shortcut and the Status Bar.
See you next Monday,
Nathan
-Every cell = a calculator!
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