Besides basic calculating operators like addition (+), subtraction (-), multiplication (*), and division (/) Excel contains even a handful of functions that we can use to perform various mathematical operations. Also, there are functions for calculating the absolute value, returning the number sign, and some other functions that can be of importance, for example, to create conditions in conditional formatting, when we want to color each different order in different colors …
Aggregation is a term that signifies unification and calculation. It combines one or more data sets, which are given as function arguments, for performing a mathematical operation. This may be: summing up a series of data, counting, averaging, calculating the minimum or maximum value of a given set of numbers… Aggregate functions are very commonly used and should know them well.
Excel has a large number of functions, organized according to categories (mathematical, statistical, logical, informative, financial, functions for working with text, etc.). When we start typing the formula and choosing the desired function it automatically displays the syntax in the form of a tooltip that facilitates the input of the function arguments. We can also add functions by selecting a window to insert functions that will be further discussed in the text that follows …
How Excel calculates is seldom asked question, because we perceive this operation as something that is implicit. After all, how much can drive a car while never knowing how’s the engine running ? However, there is a situation where the calculation method can be very important: when the data is downloaded from external sources or when we perform complex calculations of the ones that are important to use the full power of the CPU.
Errors in the calculations are a common thing. The more data in the table and the formula are the more likely we are mistaken. Excel immediately shows us an error as soon as it comes in, but it’s not always easy to find out how it came to it. Also, sometimes it may happen that we miss the error because there was no mistake in mathematical operations. Excel has several options for detecting and finding errors, which will be said in the following text …