THE FUNCTION OF FIGURES IN MICROSOFT OFFICE EXCEL AND GOOGLE

SPREADSHEETS.
VLOOKUP

Purpose
Lookup a value in a table by matching on the first column

Return value
The matched value from a table.

Syntax
=VLOOKUP (value, table, col_index, [range_lookup])

Arguments

value - The value to look for in the first column of a table.

table - The table from which to retrieve a value.
col_index - The column in the table from which to retrieve a value.

range_lookup - [optional] TRUE = approximate match (default). FALSE = exact

match.

Usage notes
VLOOKUP searches for a value in the first column of a table. At the match row, it
retrieves a value from the specified column.
Use VLOOKUP when lookup values are located in the first column of a table with
information organized vertically. Use HLOOKUP when lookup values are located
in the first row of a table, and each "record" appears in a new column.

Range_lookup controls whether value needs to match exactly or not. The default
is TRUE = allow non-exact match.
Set range_lookup to FALSE to require an exact match and TRUE to allow a nonexact match.
If range_lookup is TRUE (the default setting), a non-exact match will cause the
VLOOKUP function to match the nearest value in the table that is still less
than value.
When range_lookup is omitted, the VLOOKUP function will allow a non-exact
match, but it will use an exact match if one exists.
If range_lookup is TRUE (the default setting) make sure that lookup values in the
first row of the table are sorted in ascending order. Otherwise, VLOOKUP may
return an incorrect or unexpected value.
If range_lookup is FALSE (require exact match), values in the first column
of table do not need to be sorted.
STDEV

Purpose
Get the standard deviation in a sample

Return value
Estimated standard deviation

Syntax
=STDEV (number1, [number2], ...)

Arguments

number1 - First number or reference in the sample.

number2 - [optional] Second number or reference.

Usage notes
The STDEV function calculates the standard deviation in a sample set of data.
Note: STDEV has been replaced with a newer function called STDEV.S, which has
identical behavior. Although STDEV still exists for backwards compatibility,
Microsoft recommends that people use the newer STDEV.S function instead.
Notes:

STDEV calculates standard deviation using the "n-1" method.

STDEV assumes your data is a sample only. When your data is complete (i.e.
when your data representations the entire population), calculate standard deviation
using the STDEVP function (or it's more current replacement, the STDEV.P
function).
Numbers are supplied as arguments. They can be supplied as actual numbers,
ranges, arrays, or references that contain numbers.

The STDEV function will include numbers entered as text and logical values when
they are entered directly as arguments. However, when an argument is an array or
reference, empty cells, logical values, text, and error values are ignored.

When you want to include logical values and/or numbers as text in a reference, use
the STDEVA function.

AVERAGE

Purpose
Get the average of a group of numbers

Return value
A number representing the average.

Syntax
=AVERAGE (number1, [number2], ...)

Arguments

number1 - A number or cell reference that refers to numeric values.

number2 - [optional] A number or cell reference that refers to numeric values.

Usage notes
The AVERAGE function returns the average (arithmetic mean) of a group of
supplied numbers. To calculate the average, Excel adds the numbers together and
divides by the total number of numbers. For example, AVERAGE (2,4,6) returns
4.
Numbers can be supplied as numbers, ranges, named ranges, or cell references
that contain numeric values. Up to 255 numbers can be supplied.
Note: the AVERAGE function will automatically ignore empty cells.

COUNTIF

Purpose
Count cells that match criteria

Return value
A number representing cells counted.

Syntax
=COUNTIF (range, criteria)

Arguments

range - The range of cells to count.

criteria - The criteria that controls which cells should be counted.

Usage notes
The COUNTIF function in Excel counts the number of cells in a range that match
the supplied criteria
Non-numeric criteria needs to be enclosed in double quotes but numeric criteria
does not:
=COUNTIF(A1:A10,100) // count cells equal to 100
=COUNTIF(A1:A10,">32") // count cells greater than 32
=COUNTIF(A1:A10,"jim") // count cells equal to "jim"
=COUNTIF(A1:A10,"<"&B1) // count cells less than value in B1

The wildcard characters ? and * can be used in criteria. A question mark matches
any one character and an asterisk matches any sequence of characters.

To find a literal question mark or asterisk, use a tilde (~) in front question mark or
asterisk (i.e. ~?, ~*).
SOURCE : https://exceljet.net/

SORT
Excel includes powerful sort functionality in the Sort & Filter group on the Data tab. But what if
your data changes frequently, or if youre simply tired of clicking through the Ribbon each time
you generate a similar table? The answer might be to create a formula that does your sorting work
for you. As with lots of Excel tricks of this nature, however, what you gain in analysis you
might lose in convenience. Or, in simplicity at least.
This article looks at one way to sort dynamic information and then explore the limitations of the
results!
Our example will allow us to take a table of sales figures and generate a sorted list that shows us
our top performers for the quarter. We could sort our report by Quarter Totals (Column E), but
then the rest of our year would be out of order. We could only see sales ranking one quarter at a
time. Because we receive our source data alphabetically by salesperson, we would also have to
re-sort by salesperson each time we add another quarter.
Steps below apply to Excel 2007 and later. Images were taken using Excel 2013 on Windows 7
specific steps may vary based on your version.

This is what our table might look like as the year progresses

Instead, we will use the COUNTIF, INDEX, MATCH and ROWS functions to create a formula
that will sort our sales figures and display them in a new table. This takes two steps.
Step One: Create a Helper Column to Calculate Relative Rank
To follow using our example, download Excel Sort Formula.xlsx; Sheet Q1
We will first generate a 1-10 numerical ranking of the information we want sorted. This will not
rearrange the information, but tell us its place in the list. The formula that goes in G2 is:

=COUNTIF(E$2:E$11,<=&$E2)

=COUNTIF() tells Excel to count the items in a range and under what conditions they
are to be counted.

E$2:E$11 describes the range we want counted.

<=&$E2 tells Excel to check the relative rank of the value compared to the entire
range.

Enter the formula, then drag to copy it into each cell in the column. The result should be a
number from 1-10 in each row.

Step Two: Reorder the Data based on its rank using INDEX, MATCH, and ROW
As we learned in Excels INDEX formula the Basics, INDEX tells Excel to get a value in a
specific row and column. We will use it here to help us match the correct rank with the correct
sales total, and then return the list in ascending order. The sort formula we will put in H2 is:

=INDEX($E$2:$E$11,MATCH(ROWS($G$2:G2),$G$2:$G$11,0))

=INDEX() tells Excel to return information from a certain cell and column

$E$2:$E$11 specifies the range to look in

MATCH(ROWS($G$2:G2),$G$2:$G$11,0 this function tells Excel which row to

look in

MATCH() tells Excel to choose the row the INDEX will use based on the value in the
helper column

ROWS($G$2:G2) tells the MATCH function what rank in the list should be matched by
counting down from the first cell in the series. Note that the 2nd G2 is not absolute,
meaning it will change with the row when the formula is dragged and copied.

If we want to also display the names of the salespeople next to the sorted sales totals, we would
simply add the same formula to the next column, but change the INDEX function to return values
from the Salesperson column:

=INDEX($A$2:$A$11,MATCH(ROWS($G$2:G2),$G$2:$G$11,0))

The Rub
Before we get too excited about this method for sorting data using an Excel function, theres a
catch. Sadly, these formulas will NOT work if:

There are any duplicates in the data

There are any blank cells in the data

You have a mix of numbers and text. You can sort ALL text or ALL numbers, but a
mixture of the two will generate errors.

But, if your data is rarely likely to generate duplicates and is very consistent such as the above
example, this technique can deliver a lot of value. If your data is more complex in the above
ways, you will at least have a starting place to build a sort formula that can work with the
exceptions.
SOURCE : https://www.pryor.com/blog/excel-sort-formulas-how-to-sort-dynamic-data/

FILTER
This example teaches you how to apply a date filter to only display records that meet certain
criteria.
1. Click any single cell inside a data set.
2. On the Data tab, click Filter.

Arrows in the column headers appear.

3. Click the arrow next to Date.

4. Click on Select All to clear all the check boxes, click the + sign next to 2012, and click the
check box next to January.

5. Click OK.
Result. Excel only displays the sales in 2012, in January.

6. Click the arrow next to Date.

7. Click on Select All to select all the check boxes.
8. Click Date Filters (this option is available because the Date column contains dates) and select
Last Month from the list.
SOURCE : http://www.excel-easy.com/examples/date-filters.html

Result. Excel only displays the sales of last month.

Note: this date filter and many other date filters depend on today's date.

GRAPH
Excel is a very common application, so sharing files with others is a breeze.
(Step 1) Begin by opening up a new Excel workbook and entering "x" in cell A1 and "f(x)"
in cell B1. These will serve as labels for the independent and dependent variables.
(Step 2) Next, determine the domain of the function's graph, that is, the range of x values
over which you will plot the function. Enter the left endpoint of the domain in cell A2. For
example, if you are graphing the function f(x) = ex/2 - 3x over the interval [0,10], you would
enter 0 in cell A2.
(Step 3) Now determine the increment size for the x values. It is important to choose an
increment size that is small enough to capture the important features of the graph. Excel does
not actually plot the true curve of a function, but rather interpolates curves between adjacent
points. If your step size is too coarse, the graph's shape will be inaccurate.
For instance, if you are plotting f(x) = sin(x) from 0 to pi, you should divide the interval into
at least 10 pieces, that is, use an increment size of pi/10. For the function f(x) = ex/2 - 3x, we
can use an increment size of 0.5.
(Step 4) Fill in the rest of x values in Column A using the appropriate increment size. For our
example, we would fill Column A with 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, ...9.5, 10.
There is a shortcut alternative to typing all of these x values by hand. Simply enter 0, 0.5, and
1 and then highlight the three cells. Click on the tiny square in the lower right-hand corner of
the highlight box, and drag it down the length of Column A, stopping when you hit cell A22.
Excel's Autofill feature will supply the rest of the values.
(Step 5) Now highlight Column A and go to the Formulas tab. Look for the section called
either "Define Name" or "Name Manager" (depending on your version of Excel). Click it,
and enter "x" as the name in the dialog box. (The name "x" may already be filled in for you.)
(Step 6) In cell B2, enter the function using Excel's syntax for math formulas. For the
function f(x) = ex/2 - 3x, enter "=EXP(x/2)-x*3" without the quotation marks. If you click on
another cell, the value of f(0) will appear in cell B2.
(Step 7) To apply this function to the rest of Column B, first highlight cell B2. Click on the
tiny square in the lower right-hand corner of the highlight box, and drag it down the length of
Column B, ending at cell B22. Watch as Excel magically populates Column B with the
values of the function.
(Step 8) Almost done! To make a graph with the x and f(x) data pairs, highlight all of the
cells, click "Insert," choose the Scatter plot group, and then choose the graph style with
curves. Excel will generate a nice graph of f(x) over the specified domain. You can use the
Layout and Design tools to tweak the labels and style of the graphic.

SOURCE : http://www.had2know.com/computers/graph-function-with-excel.html