Essential formulas and functions in Excel

If you've ever felt overwhelmed by the amount of formulas and functions in excel, you are not alone. This powerful spreadsheet tool allows you to do everything from basic mathematical operations to advanced calculations with just a few clicks. Mastering its formulas is essential for both the professional and business fields. personal data management.

In this article, we will explore in detail all the Essential Excel formulas and functions. You will learn how to make the most of them, which are the most used and how to apply them in different scenarios. In addition, we will include practical examples y clear explanations so you can put this knowledge into practice immediately.

What are formulas and functions in Excel?

In simple terms, a formula in excel is a mathematical expression that allows calculations to be made based on the data present in the cells. All formulas begin with the equal sign (=), followed by values, mathematical operators, or references to other cells.

On the other hand, function in excel is a predefined formula that performs a specific task. Instead of writing a complete equation, functions can be used to speed up complex calculations. For example, the function SUM allows you to quickly sum a range of cells without having to enter all of their references manually.

Key elements of a formula in Excel

Each formula in Excel is made up of different elements that determine its purpose and behavior. The main ones are:

• equal sign (=): Indicates that what is written below is a formula.
• Cell References: They allow you to include the values ​​of other cells within the formula (Example: A1+B1).
• Mathematical operators: They are used to perform calculations (+ for addition, – for subtraction, * for multiplication, / for division).
• Showtimes:: Predefined formulas to perform specific calculations (Example: =SUMA(A1:A10)).
• Constants: Fixed numeric or text values ​​in the formula.

Basic formulas in Excel

Excel offers a number of essential formulas that every user should know. These allow you to perform simple calculations and manage data efficiently.

1. Sum

to add two or more numbers In Excel, you can use the SUM function or the addition operator (+).

Example: =SUMA(A1:A5) will add the values ​​in cells A1 to A5.

2. Crash

To subtract numbers, you must use the subtraction operator (-).

Example: =A1-A2 will subtract the value of A2 from that of A1.

3. Multiplication

To multiply values, the asterisk (*) is used.

Example: =A1*A2 will multiply the values ​​of A1 and A2.

4. Division

To divide one number by another, we use the forward slash (/).

Example: =A1/A2 will divide the value of A1 by that of A2.

Advanced Excel Functions

While basic formulas are useful, Excel provides a wide range of advanced functions that allow data to be analyzed more efficiently.

1. IF function

The function SI allows you to evaluate a condition and return one result if it is true and another if it is false.

Example: =SI(A1>10, "Mayor a 10", "Menor o igual a 10")

2. VLOOKUP Function

VLOOKUP is a function used to look up a value in a table and return a specific data from the same row.

Example: =BUSCARV(5, A2:C10, 2, FALSO)

3. COUNTIF Function

Allows you to count how many cells in a range meet a certain condition.

Example: =CONTAR.SI(A1:A10, ">10")

Cell references in Excel

There are three main types of references in Excel:

• Relatives: They adjust when moving the formula (=A1+B1).
• Absolute: They are fixed with the symbol $ (=$A$1+$B$1).
• Mixed: Set only column or row (=$A1+B$1).

Master the Excel formulas and functions It will allow you to streamline your workflow, reduce errors and improve efficiency in any task. From basic calculations to advanced data analyticsThis program is an indispensable tool in the work and academic world. With practice and patience, you will be able to take full advantage of its potential.