Excel can do everything. The challenge is learning and knowing how to accomplish what you have in mind. It helps to learn more about Excel functions so that you know its capabilities.
Excel is full of functions that take inputs, transform data, and outputs the results. Let’s learn how to insert functions in Excel. This feature will help you know and find functions.
How to Insert Functions in Excel
Let’s dive in. With your cursor placed in a cell in the spreadsheet, find the formula bar that lives just above the spreadsheet area. Click on the small fxnext to the formula bar to open the Insert Function menu.
Now, you’ve got a powerful search feature to find and search for Excel functions.
First, I recommend trying out the category option. Click on the dropdown bar, and you’ll see the functions grouped into helpful categories. Try out a few of them to see the functions inside listed below.
Another option is to use the search option. Enter a keyword in the top box, then press Go. This function works well if you keep your term simple. Notice that the list of returned functions is shown below. Click on a function name, and you’ll see the function parameters and the description of what it calculates.
Once you’ve found the perfect function, select it from the list and press OK. Now, you’ll see one last menu, which is extremely helpful. Each part of the function is shown in a separate box so that you know how the full function works. Complete each of the boxes, and then press OK.
After you press OK, the finished function is inserted in your spreadsheet. You’ll see the results of the function in the active cell.
With this menu, you accomplish two things: not only do you learn what functions Excel includes, but it also teaches you how to use them. Start with this menu (and a guide from Excelypedia!) when you want to try a new Excel function.
Refresh Data in Excel