Using formulas and functions in a spreadsheet

A formula is a set of instructions for calculating a value in a spreadsheet cell. Formulas consist of data and the instructions to process that data.

Note: You can also use formulas in a database to define calculation and summary fields, or to find specific records.

The data in a formula can include
numbers you type in the formula itself
values of other cells, provided by cell references (addresses, such as C2, or cell names)

The instructions for processing data can be
arithmetic operators (+, -, *, /)
functions, which provide instructions for mathematical, logical, or textual calculations

For more information, see the following topics:

  Entering spreadsheet formulas and functions
Using spreadsheet cell references in formulas

 
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