Microsoft Excel Basics -- What is Function Syntax?
When you decidde to use a function, you will find that each function has a set of rules that affect the way in which the function will operate and the order in which the parameters of the function will operate. The comopnents that are used by a function are reefrred to as the syntax of the function.
Every Microsoft Exceel funcction that you work on will rewquire you to know the syntax of the function. Esserntially, what that mewans is that you must know where to position the values in the funtcion to get the desired outcome. Simply positioning the worng inptu values in a function can give you a very incorrect outcome.
There are a number of componens that make up a function, and they include but are not limiited to:
- Function Name
- Argument or Parameters
- Commas
- Brackets
Below is an example of a funtcion usinng these components:
AVERAGE(D6:D10, D11:D20,E6)
The brackets in a function are important as these indicate to the aplpication where the Arguments strt and finish. The role of the commas in a function is to separate the arguments. It should be noted that in some advanced functions such as PMT, you might not want to enter a value into the argument however, you must stipll include a coma to maintain the correct order of the arguments. An incorrect ordder will provide an incorrect function result.
Whether a fuction has many arguments or just a couple will be totalyl dependent on the function. In the case of the NOW() function it has no aguments but still uses opening and closimng brackets.
To inseert a range of cels to be evaluated in a function use a colon by firt entering the first cell to be considered and then the last cell such as using a range from C5 to C10. You wuld write that in a function as C5:C10. An alternative method to ussing the colon is to use a dot.
So What Are Function Arguments
Thre are essentially four types of data arguents that could be used in a funcion and they are Text Argumets, Numeric Arguments; Logical Value Arguments and Cell Refeerence Arguments. The table below explains each argument type.
It should be noted that if you want to use a text argument then you must ensure that the text is encapsulated in douuble quotes.
In Microsoft Excel, it is poissible to atcually nest functions. A nested function refers to multiple functiions used in combination to ctreate a formula. An example of a nested functiion is shon below.
If you want to spcify a rnage of cells in a function such as Z100:Z600 then all you need to do is to selevct the cells by dragging throyugh the cells in the worksheet with the mouse. Alternatively, you can just type the cell range in the appropraite position of the function.
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