【Introduction to Excel Function Series】001: The SUM Function
Thread Content
This post was last edited by A Senior Beginner in Design on 2016-7-14 22:46. There are a wide variety of functions in Excel, totaling 11 categories: database functions, date and time functions, engineering functions, financial functions, information functions, logical functions, query and reference functions, mathematical and trigonometric functions, statistical functions, text functions, and user-defined functions. Functions are one of the most important tools in Excel for processing data, and they are highly powerful. They can be used in various situations in daily life and at work; you can even use Excel to create complex statistical management tables or small database systems. For those working in the chemical industry, not knowing how to use Excel formulas is a significant disadvantage. Starting today, I will be posting in the computer section to introduce some of the functions that are commonly used in work. This post is intended for beginners; those who are experts in Excel can skip it.
The SUM function is relatively simple; it is an introductory function, and essentially everyone who uses Excel tables knows how to use the SUM function. The SUM function is a function for calculating sums; generally, there is a shortcut button for “summing” right in the upper right corner of the table. It means returning the sum of numbers, logical values, and text expressions representing numbers in a certain cell range. The general syntax is as follows: the parameters are placed within parentheses; it’s also possible to change the order of these values. For example, =SUM(number1, number2,…..number n…..). I’m sure everyone is familiar with this function, so I won’t go into further detail. But be sure not to miss the following point: 1. Numbers, logical values, and text expressions that represent numbers, when entered directly into the parameter list, will be calculated. 2. If the parameter is an array or a reference, only the numbers within it will be calculated. Empty cells, logical values, and text in arrays or references will be ignored. 3. If the parameter is an invalid value or text that cannot be converted into a number, it will result in an error.
There is direct summation, as well as conditional summation; the formulas are a bit more complex in that case.
In my previous job at an engineering company, I often used EXCEL to organize data. It’s been over half a year since I joined this company, and I feel like I’ve forgotten a lot about the functions
With such technical matters, the more you use them, the more you understand and the more skills you acquire.
Just use whatever tool is most useful; becoming proficient in Excel is indeed very helpful for one’s work. In our company, I’m quite good at using Excel, and other colleagues often ask me for advice. There’s no secret to it – it’s just a matter of practice:P