The fastest way to learn excel formulas

by Purna Duggirala http://chandoo.org/wp/

How to read this book? This book explains 75 very commonly used Microsoft excel formulas in plain English. The best way to read this book is to read few formulas at a time and then practice them on using excel. Each formula is explained with description, syntax and 2 examples. I suggest you to give these formulas a try by typing them in excel. For more information on excel formulas, do visit the following links: http://chandoo.org/wp/tag/formulas http://chandoo.org/excel-formulas http://chandoo.org/wp/category/excel All the best

List of Formulas Covered in This Book

Math Formulas Sum Count Rand Randbetween Logical If And Text Concatenate Left Lookup Vlookup Hlookup Statistical Min Max Date & Time Today Now Financial Npv Fv

Average Countif
Sumif Averageif Countblank Round Int

Subtotal Sign
Product Abs Floor Ceiling Roman

Or Not
Choose Iserror Isblank Isnumber Istext

Mid Lower
Upper Proper Len Find Trim

Match Index
Row Column

Small Large
Mode Median Rank Percentile

Year Month
Day Weekday Hour Minute Second

Pmt Ipmt
Ppmt

Mod

Iferror

Dollar
Value Substitute Rept Text

Datevalue
Timevalue Networkdays

Type

The fastest way to learn excel formulas

Sum
Wh a t it does?

Adds a bunch of numbers

Sy n t a x

sum(add this, [and this ..])

Exa m pl e

sum(1,2,3,4) = 10 sum(5.6,2.3) = 7.9

Learn more here: http://chandoo.org/wp/?s=Sum+formula

Count
Wh a t it does?

Counts the number of cells in a range (only numbers will be counted)

Sy n t a x

count(range of cells)
Exa m pl e

count(1,2,3,4,5,6,"hello",7,8) = 8 (ignores the text value hello) Note: if you want to count only blank cells, use countblank() instead

Learn more here: http://chandoo.org/wp/?s=Count+formula

Average
Wh a t it does?

Average of given numbers

Sy n t a x

average(of this number, [and this number too..])

Exa m pl e

average(2,4,6) = 4 average(A1:A5) = average of numbers in A1:A5

Learn more here: http://chandoo.org/wp/?s=Average+formula

Countif
Wh a t it does?

Counts of items in a list matching a condition

Sy n t a x

countif(in this range, values meeting this criteria)

Exa m pl e

countif(A1:A20, 1) = counts how many cells have "1" countif(A1:A20, "<3") = counts how many cells have less than 3

Learn more here: http://chandoo.org/wp/?s=Countif+formula

Sumif
Wh a t it does?

Sums items in a list matching a condition

Sy n t a x

sumif(in this range, values meeting this criteria, [sum-this-range])

Exa m pl e

sumif(A1:A20, 3) = sums the cells with a value of "3" sumif(A1:A20, 3, b1:b20) = same as above but adds values in B1:B20

Learn more here: http://chandoo.org/wp/?s=Sumif+formula

Averageif
Wh a t it does?

Excel 2007 only

Gets the average of values in a list that match a condition

Sy n t a x

averageif(in this range, values meeting this criteria, [use this range for average])
Exa m pl e

averageif(A1:A20, ">5") = average of all the values above 5 in A1:A20 averageif(A1:A20, "Bob", B1:B20) = Average of all values in B1:B20 where the corresponding row in A has "Bob"

Learn more here: http://chandoo.org/wp/?s=Averageif+formula

Countblank
Wh a t it does?

Counts blank cells in a given list

Sy n t a x

countblank(in this list)

Exa m pl e

countblank(list) = number of blank cells in the list

Learn more here: http://chandoo.org/wp/?s=Countblank+formula

Round
Wh a t it does?

Rounds a number to nearest decimal you specify

Sy n t a x

round(this number, to this many digits after decimal)

Exa m pl e

round(1.2365,0) = 1 round(1.2365,2) = 1.24

Learn more here: http://chandoo.org/wp/?s=Round+formula

Int
Wh a t it does?

Converts a decimal number to integer lower than it

Sy n t a x

int(this number)
Exa m pl e

int(1.2365) = 1

Learn more here: http://chandoo.org/wp/?s=Int+formula

Mod
Wh a t it does?

Tells you what is the reminder after dividing one number with another
Sy n t a x

mod(of this number, divided by this number)

Exa m pl e

mod(5,3) = 2 mod(3,5) = 3

Learn more here: http://chandoo.org/wp/?s=Mod+formula

Rand
Wh a t it does?

Gives you a random number to play with

Sy n t a x

rand()
Exa m pl e

rand() = who knows

Learn more here: http://chandoo.org/wp/?s=Rand+formula

Randbetween
Wh a t it does?

Gets you a random integer between 2 given numbers (including both)

Sy n t a x

randbetween(lower limit, higher limit)

Exa m pl e

randbetween(0,100) = returns a random number between 0 and 100 Note: if you are using excel 2003 or earlier, you need to enable this function by adding analysis toolpak add-in.

Learn more here: http://chandoo.org/wp/?s=Randbetween+formula

Subtotal
Wh a t it does?

tells you the sum, average, count, standard deviation etc. of a list of numbers.
Sy n t a x

If you apply data

filters, the subtotal value changes based on the filtered values.

subtotal(<function number>,list-of-values)
Exa m pl e

subtotal(1,scores_list) = average of the scores_list Note: function number 1 - Average, 2 - Count, 3 - Counta, 4 - Max, 5 - Min, 6 - Product, 7 Standard Deviation, 8 - STDEVP, 9 - Sum

Learn more here: http://chandoo.org/wp/?s=Subtotal+formula

Sign
Wh a t it does?

tells you the sign of a number, 1 for positive, 0 for zero and -1 for negative values
Sy n t a x

sign(of this number)

Exa m pl e

sign(15) = 1 sign(0) = 0, sign(-15) = -1

Learn more here: http://chandoo.org/wp/?s=Sign+formula

Product
Wh a t it does?

multiplies a bunch of numbers

Sy n t a x

product(list of numbers)
Exa m pl e

product(1,2,3,4,5) = 120 product(400,40%,50%) = 80 (50% of 40% of 400)

Learn more here: http://chandoo.org/wp/?s=Product+formula

Abs
Wh a t it does?

tells you the absolute value of a given number

Sy n t a x

abs(some number)
Exa m pl e

abs(-5) = 5 abs(1) = 1, abs(0) = 0

Learn more here: http://chandoo.org/wp/?s=Abs+formula

Floor
Wh a t it does?

Rounds a number down, towards zero

Sy n t a x

floor(this number, to the nearest multiple of this number)

Exa m pl e

floor(3.678,1) = 1 (since 3 is the nearest multiple of 1) floor(89,2) = 88, floor(-89,-2) = -88

Learn more here: http://chandoo.org/wp/?s=Floor+formula

Ceiling
Wh a t it does?

Rounds a number up, away from zero

Sy n t a x

ceiling(this number, to the nearest multiple of this number)

Exa m pl e

ceiling(3.678,1) = 4 (since 4 is the nearest multiple of 1 away from zero) ceiling(89,2) = 90, ceiling(-89,-2) = -90

Learn more here: http://chandoo.org/wp/?s=Ceiling+formula

Roman
Wh a t it does?

converts a number to roman number format

Sy n t a x

roman(number)
Exa m pl e

roman(4) = IV roman(2009) = MMIX, roman(1999,4) = MIM

Learn more here: http://chandoo.org/wp/?s=Roman+formula

The fastest way to learn excel formulas

If
Wh a t it does?

Fetches one of the two values based on a condition

Sy n t a x

if(is-this-true?, do this, or this)

Exa m pl e

if(5<10,"hello","world") = hello if(5>10,"hello","world") = world

Learn more here: http://chandoo.org/wp/?s=If+formula

And
Wh a t it does?

Checks whether all conditions are passed or not

Sy n t a x

and(list of conditions)
Exa m pl e

and(true, false) = false and(true, true) = true

Learn more here: http://chandoo.org/wp/?s=And+formula

Or
Wh a t it does?

Checks whether any condition is met

Sy n t a x

or(list of conditions)
Exa m pl e

or(true, false) = true or(false, false) = false

Learn more here: http://chandoo.org/wp/?s=Or+formula

Not
Wh a t it does?

Negates a logical value

Sy n t a x

not(this logical value)

Exa m pl e

not(false) = true not(not(false)) = false

Learn more here: http://chandoo.org/wp/?s=Not+formula

Choose
Wh a t it does?

selects one of the parameters based on first parameter. Works like a really big nested IF()
Sy n t a x

choose(this value, from this list of values)

Exa m pl e

choose(3,"value 1", "value2", "another value") = another value choose(int(test_score/20),"F","D","C","B","A") = tells you the letter grade for the given score

Learn more here: http://chandoo.org/wp/?s=Choose+formula

Iserror
Wh a t it does?

Checks if the input has error or not

Sy n t a x

iserror(this value)
Exa m pl e

iserror(1/0) = true iserror(0/1) = false

Learn more here: http://chandoo.org/wp/?s=Iserror+formula

Isblank
Wh a t it does?

Checks if the input is blank or not

Sy n t a x

isblank(this value)
Exa m pl e

isblank(A1) = true if A1 is blank isblank("") = false

Learn more here: http://chandoo.org/wp/?s=Isblank+formula

Isnumber
Wh a t it does?

Checks if the input is number of not

Sy n t a x

isnumber(this value)
Exa m pl e

isnumber(123) = true isnumber("chandoo") = false

Learn more here: http://chandoo.org/wp/?s=Isnumber+formula

Istext
Wh a t it does?

Checks if the input is text or not

Sy n t a x

istext(this value)
Exa m pl e

istext(123) = false istext("chandoo") = true

Learn more here: http://chandoo.org/wp/?s=Istext+formula

Iferror
Wh a t it does?

Excel 2007 only

An easy way to handle errors in formulas. IFERROR returns the value you want incase of an error with the formula
Sy n t a x

iferror(some formula, value to return incase of error)

Exa m pl e

iferror(1/0,"cant divide by zero") = cant divide by zero iferror(0/1,"cant divide by zero") = 0

Learn more here: http://chandoo.org/wp/?s=Iferror+formula

The fastest way to learn excel formulas

Concatenate
Wh a t it does?

Adds a bunch of text values to one another

Interesting Tip
Sy n t a x

concatenate(this, [to this..])

Exa m pl e

You can use & operator instead of concatenate(). For eg. =one&big&text works the same way as example 1

concatenate("one ","big ","text") = one big text concatenate(A1,A2,A3) = adds the text values in A1,A2 and A3

Learn more here: http://chandoo.org/wp/?s=Concatenate+formula

Left
Wh a t it does?

Cuts a text from left

Sy n t a x

left(from this text, this many letters)

Exa m pl e

left("Pointy Haired Dilbert rocks", 6) = Pointy left(A1,5) = first five characters in the cell A1

Learn more here: http://chandoo.org/wp/?s=Left+formula

Mid
Wh a t it does?

Gets a portion of text

Sy n t a x

mid(from this text, start here, this many letters)

Exa m pl e

mid("hello",2,3) = ell mid("hello",2,99) = ello

Learn more here: http://chandoo.org/wp/?s=Mid+formula

Lower
Wh a t it does?

Converts a text to lower case

Sy n t a x

lower(this text)
Exa m pl e

lower("Hello") = hello lower("hELLo") = hello

Learn more here: http://chandoo.org/wp/?s=Lower+formula

Upper
Wh a t it does?

Gets you upper case text from given one

Sy n t a x

upper(this text)
Exa m pl e

upper("hello") = HELLO upper("hELLo") = HELLO

Learn more here: http://chandoo.org/wp/?s=Upper+formula

Proper
Wh a t it does?

Converst text to proper case

Sy n t a x

proper(this text)
Exa m pl e

proper("hello world") = Hello World proper("Hello world") = Hello World

Learn more here: http://chandoo.org/wp/?s=Proper+formula

Len
Wh a t it does?

Tells you the length of a given text

Sy n t a x

len(of this text)

Exa m pl e

len("hello") = 5 len(A1) = length of the value in cell A1

Learn more here: http://chandoo.org/wp/?s=Len+formula

Find
Wh a t it does?

Finds the position of a text in another text

Sy n t a x

find(this, in this text, [start here])

Exa m pl e

find("e","hello") = 2 find("m","hello") = ERROR

Learn more here: http://chandoo.org/wp/?s=Find+formula

Trim
Wh a t it does?

Removes un-necessary spaces in a given text

Sy n t a x

trim(this text)
Exa m pl e

trim(" unusally

spaced text ") = unusually spaced text

Learn more here: http://chandoo.org/wp/?s=Trim+formula

Dollar
Wh a t it does?

converts a number to $ currency format. Uses your local currency settings

Sy n t a x

dollar(value, [number digits of decimal point])

Exa m pl e

dollar(2300,2) = $ 2,300.00 Note: Dollar() uses your excel installation currency settings. So if you use someother currency like SEK, Rs. Euro, those symbols will appear

Learn more here: http://chandoo.org/wp/?s=Dollar+formula

Value
Wh a t it does?

Converts text to numbers

Sy n t a x

value(from this text)

Exa m pl e

value("1.2365") = 1.2365 value("hello") = ERROR

Learn more here: http://chandoo.org/wp/?s=Value+formula

Substitute
Wh a t it does?

Substitutes one text with another in the given text

Sy n t a x

substitute(in this text, this text, with this text, [at this occurance])
Exa m pl e

substitute("Pointy Haired Dilbert", "Pointy", "Curly") = Curly Haired Dilbert substitute("123-123-1234","-","") = 1231231234

Learn more here: http://chandoo.org/wp/?s=Substitute+formula

Rept
Wh a t it does?

Repeats a particular text n number of times

Sy n t a x

rept(this text, this many number of times)

Exa m pl e

rept("|",5) = ||||| rept("And", 2) = AndAnd

Learn more here: http://chandoo.org/wp/?s=Rept+formula

Text
Wh a t it does?

Converts something in text to a number format (works for dates and times too)
Sy n t a x

text(text value, format you want)

Exa m pl e

text("2300","$0,00.00") = $2,300.00 Note: you can format the text value using any formatting code. Learn more about excel cell formatting codes from below links

Learn more here: http://chandoo.org/wp/?s=Text+formula

Type
Wh a t it does?

tells you the type of value in a cell

Sy n t a x

type(of this value)

Exa m pl e

type("chandoo") = 2 Type returns 1 if the input is number, 2 for text, 4 for logical values, 16 for error values and 64 for arrays

Learn more here: http://chandoo.org/wp/?s=Type+formula

The fastest way to learn excel formulas

Vlookup
Wh a t it does?

Searches where a value is in a list, and then returns another value from the same row. Use when you need phone number based on name etc.
Sy n t a x

vlookup(this value, in this list, and get me value in this column, [is-my-list-sorted?])
Exa m pl e

vlookup("John", list, 2, false) = finds where John is in the list and returns the value in the 2nd column Note: Use vlookup if your list is in rows and hlookup if your list is in columns

Learn more here: http://chandoo.org/wp/?s=Vlookup+formula

Hlookup
Wh a t it does?

Searches where a value is in a list, and then returns another value from the same column. Use when you need phone number based on name etc.
Sy n t a x

hlookup(this value, in this list, and get me value in this row, [is-my-list-sorted?])
Exa m pl e

hlookup("John", list, 2, false) = finds where John is in the list and returns the value in the 2nd row Note: Use vlookup if your list is in rows and hlookup if your list is in columns

Learn more here: http://chandoo.org/wp/?s=Hlookup+formula

Match
Wh a t it does?

finds the location of a value in a range of cells

Sy n t a x

match(what to find, in this list,type of match)

Exa m pl e

match("bill gates", customer_list,0) = tells you position of customer named "bill gates" in the customer_list match(23, scores_list,1) = gets the position of first score greaters than 23 in the scores_list (this should be sorted from low to high)

Learn more here: http://chandoo.org/wp/?s=Match+formula

Index
Wh a t it does?

gets you the value in a particular row (and column) of a given range of cells
Sy n t a x

INDEX(range of cells, from this row, [and this column])

Exa m pl e

INDEX(A1:C10,3,2) = gets you the value in cell B3 (which is 3rd and 2nd column in the range A1:C10 INDEX(A1:A10,15) = returns a #REF! error since there are only 10 values in the range A1:A10

Learn more here: http://chandoo.org/wp/?s=Index+formula

Row
Wh a t it does?

Tells you the current row number

Sy n t a x

row([of this cell])

Exa m pl e

row() = row number where you wrote this formula row(C4) = 4

Learn more here: http://chandoo.org/wp/?s=Row+formula

Column
Wh a t it does?

Tells you the current column number

Sy n t a x

column([of this cell])

Exa m pl e

column() = column number where you wrote this formula column(C4) = 3

Learn more here: http://chandoo.org/wp/?s=Column+formula

The fastest way to learn excel formulas

Min
Wh a t it does?

Finds the minimum of a given list of numbers

Sy n t a x

min(of this list of numbers)

Exa m pl e

min(1,2,3) = 1 min(A1:A20) = minimum value in the range A1:A20

Learn more here: http://chandoo.org/wp/?s=Min+formula

Max
Wh a t it does?

Finds the maximum of a given list of numbers

Sy n t a x

max(of this list of numbers)

Exa m pl e

max(1,2,3) = 3 max(A1:A20) = maximum value in the range A1:A20

Learn more here: http://chandoo.org/wp/?s=Max+formula

Small
Wh a t it does?

Finds the nth smallest number in a list

Sy n t a x

small(from this list, nth smallest number)

Exa m pl e

small(list, 2) = 2nd smallest number in the list

Learn more here: http://chandoo.org/wp/?s=Small+formula

Large
Wh a t it does?

Finds the nth largest number in a list

Sy n t a x

large(from this list, nth largest number)

Exa m pl e

large(list, 2) = 2nd largest number in the list

Learn more here: http://chandoo.org/wp/?s=Large+formula

Mode
What it does?

finds out the MODE of a list of values. Mode is a value with highest frequency in the list
Sy n t a x

mode(list of values)
Exa m pl e

mode(1,2,3,3,3,4,4,4,4,5,5,6,7) = 4 mode(1,2,3,4,5) = returns #N/A error since no value has highest frequency

Learn more here: http://chandoo.org/wp/?s=Mode+formula

Median
What it does?

finds the statistical median of a list of values

Sy n t a x

median(list of values)
Exa m pl e

median(3,4,5,1,2) = 3 median(1,1,2,2) = 1.5

Learn more here: http://chandoo.org/wp/?s=Median+formula

Rank
What it does?

tells you the rank of a number in a list of values

Sy n t a x

rank(of this number, in this numbers, [order])

Exa m pl e

rank(20,list of numbers) = rank of 20 in "list of numbers" (in descending order) rank(20,list of numbers, 1) = rank of 20, but in ascending order

Learn more here: http://chandoo.org/wp/?s=Rank+formula

Percentile
What it does?

Gets the kth percentile value from a range of values

Sy n t a x

percentile(range of values, percentile)

Exa m pl e

percentile(scores_list,0.83) = gets the 83rd percentile value from scores_list

Learn more here: http://chandoo.org/wp/?s=Percentile+formula

The fastest way to learn excel formulas

Today
What it does?

Today's date

Sy n t a x

today()
Exa m pl e

today() = today's date

Learn more here: http://chandoo.org/wp/?s=Today+formula

Now
What it does?

Today's date along with current time

Sy n t a x

now()
Exa m pl e

now() = today's date along with current time

Learn more here: http://chandoo.org/wp/?s=Now+formula

Year
What it does?

Tells you the year from a given date

Sy n t a x

year(of this date)

Exa m pl e

year("12/31/1981") = 1981 year(today()) = current year

Learn more here: http://chandoo.org/wp/?s=Year+formula

Month
What it does?

Tells you the month from a given date

Sy n t a x

month(of this date)

Exa m pl e

month("12/31/1981") = 12 month(today()) = current month

Learn more here: http://chandoo.org/wp/?s=Month+formula

Day
What it does?

Tells you the day of month from a given date

Sy n t a x

day(of this date)

Exa m pl e

day("12/31/1981") = 31 day(today()) = current day

Learn more here: http://chandoo.org/wp/?s=Day+formula

Weekday
What it does?

Tells you the day of week from a given date

Sy n t a x

weekday(of this date)

Exa m pl e

weekday("12/12/1981") = 7 weekday(today()) = current day of week

Learn more here: http://chandoo.org/wp/?s=Weekday+formula

Hour
What it does?

Tells you the hour from a given time

Sy n t a x

hour(at this time)

Exa m pl e

hour("11:30") = 11 hour(now()) = current hour

Learn more here: http://chandoo.org/wp/?s=Hour+formula

Minute
What it does?

Tells you the minutes from a given time

Sy n t a x

minute(at this time)

Exa m pl e

minute("11:30") = 30 minute(now()) = current minutes

Learn more here: http://chandoo.org/wp/?s=Minute+formula

Second
What it does?

Tells you the seconds from a given time

Sy n t a x

second(at this time)

Exa m pl e

second("11:30:45") = 45 second(now()) = current seconds

Learn more here: http://chandoo.org/wp/?s=Second+formula

Datevalue
What it does?

Converts a date in the text format to excel date format (remember, you still need to format it)
Sy n t a x

datevalue(from this text)

Exa m pl e

DATEVALUE("31/12/2001") = 37256 (which is the excel's way of saying it is 31st December 2001) Note: Date value depends on your computer's settings. So if you use MM/DD/YYYY dates in your country, they work in the datevalue

Learn more here: http://chandoo.org/wp/?s=Datevalue+formula

Timevalue
What it does?

Converts a time in text format to excel time value

Sy n t a x

timevalue(from this text)

Exa m pl e

timevalue("12:30 am") = 0.020833333 (which is excel's way of saying it is almost beyond bed time) timevalue("22:00") = 0.916666667 (it works with 24H format too)

Learn more here: http://chandoo.org/wp/?s=Timevalue+formula

Networkdays
What it does?

Tells you how many working days are there between 2 given dates
Sy n t a x

networkdays(from this date, to this date, [add this holidays as well])

Exa m pl e

networkdays("12/1/2008","12/31/2008") = 23 networkdays(TODAY(),TODAY()+30) = total working days in next 30 days

Learn more here: http://chandoo.org/wp/?s=Networkdays+formula

The fastest way to learn excel formulas

Npv
What it does?

Calculates net present value from a series of future payments

Sy n t a x

npv(at this rate, list of payments)

Exa m pl e

npv(10%,100,100,100,100,100) = 379.07

Learn more here: http://chandoo.org/wp/?s=Npv+formula

Fv
What it does?

Finds out how much a series of payments is worth in future

Sy n t a x

fv(at this rate, this many payments, of each)

Exa m pl e

fv(10%,12,-1000) = 21,384.28

Learn more here: http://chandoo.org/wp/?s=Fv+formula

Pmt
What it does?

Tells you how much you should pay on your mortage (every month ..)
Sy n t a x

pmt(at this rate, this many payments, for this much amount)
Exa m pl e

pmt(10%,12,-100000) = 14676.33

Learn more here: http://chandoo.org/wp/?s=Pmt+formula

Ipmt
What it does?

Tells you how much of your mortgage goes towards interest in specified month
Sy n t a x

ipmt(at this rate, on this payment, out of this many payments, for this much amount)
Exa m pl e

ipmt(10%,3,12,-100000) = 9017.97

Learn more here: http://chandoo.org/wp/?s=Ipmt+formula

Ppmt
What it does?

Tells you how much of your mortgage goes towards principle in specified month
Sy n t a x

ppmt(at this rate, on this payment, out of this many payments, for this much amount)
Exa m pl e

ppmt(10%,3,12,-100000) = 5658.36

Learn more here: http://chandoo.org/wp/?s=Ppmt+formula

List of Formulas Covered in This Book

Math Formulas Sum Count Rand Randbetween Logical If And Text Concatenate Left Lookup Vlookup Hlookup Statistical Min Max Date & Time Today Now Financial Npv Fv

Average Countif
Sumif Averageif Countblank Round Int

Subtotal Sign
Product Abs Floor Ceiling Roman

Or Not
Choose Iserror Isblank Isnumber Istext

Mid Lower
Upper Proper Len Find Trim

Match Index
Row Column

Small Large
Mode Median Rank Percentile

Year Month
Day Weekday Hour Minute Second

Pmt Ipmt
Ppmt

Mod

Iferror

Dollar
Value Substitute Rept Text

Datevalue
Timevalue Networkdays

Type

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The fastest way to learn excel formulas

by Purna Duggirala http://chandoo.org/wp/