Section 9 - Functions

You can access these functions using the Insert Function button located in the formula bar in Excel XP and 2007. It is referre d t o as the Paste Function in MAC Excel 2004, which is located on the Standard Toolbar in MAC Excel 2004.

To creat a function:

• To create a function using the Insert Function button, first activate the cell where you would like to insert the function.
• Next, click on the Insert Function button.
• The Insert Function dialog box appears.

(Note: the Insert Function and Function dialog boxes look similar in Excel XP and 2007, as well as the Paste Function in MAC Excel 2004)

The Lotto example below demonstrates how to use the Average Function.

• First, select the cell where the formula will be placed.
• Then click on the Insert Function button.
• The Insert Function dialog box will appear. From the Select a function: menu choose the appropriate function. An explanation of the chosen formula appears at the bottom of the dialog box.

• Next, click the OK button.
• The Function Arguments dialog box appears.

• Click on the Collapse box inside the Number 1 field to select the range of cells to be averaged.

NOTE: You may select the range either by highlighting the cells with your mouse, or by typing the range in the floating text box, but make sure that you seperate a range cells by a colon (:)

• Press <enter> or <return>
• The dialog box appears again with the selected range in the Number 1 text box.

• To add another series follow the same steps as before, this time placing your series in the Number 2 text box. (You can add as many series' as you like, just remember to keep placing them in new Number text boxes.)

• Click OK. The value will appear in the active cell.

Excel XP



Excel 2007

NOTE: The formula appears in the formula bar.