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Using predefined worksheet functions you can perform specialized operations with values entered directly or referenced in cells. Functions can be used alone or combined with formula operators and cell references. Function arguments are the required values that must be entered or referenced to be evaluated. Some functions does not require any arguments, but all functions return values.
To enter a formula in a cell you must begin the entry with an equal sign (=) and the key name of the worksheet function, followed by an open parentheses and the required parameter values separated by commas and finally, the corresponding closing parentheses, e.g.: =SUM(A1, B3)
Formula names can be typed in lower and/or uppercase. All formula names are converted to uppercase after formulas are entered.
Formulas can be nested inside other formulas as arguments. In the following example, the MAX function is nested inside the SUM function as a parameter: =SUM(A2, MAX(A3, B5))
Functions that does not require arguments must still include the open a closing parentheses, e.g.: =PI()
If an optional parameter is omitted, it will take the default value. Parameters not marked as optional must have a value.
If a calculation can not be performed properly or if the formula name does not exist or is typed incorrectly an error will be displayed instead of a value. If the number of parameter values entered don't match the expected number of parameter values, an error dialog box will be displayed until the number of required parameters are entered.
Argument values can be of type numerical, logical, text, error or references to cells or ranges than contain the required values.
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