Create formulas with Excel - how it works

As a spreadsheet program, Excel is ideal for arithmetic. We'll show you how to enter formulas and perform calculations in the Microsoft program.

The formula entry in Excel

First of all, Excel considers every entry to be simple text input. If you want Excel to calculate, you have to tell him.

1. To calculate in Excel, enter the first character in the input line with an equal sign "=".
2. If you want to calculate with values ​​from the table, type in the appropriate combination of row and column or click on the desired table cell in the input cell while entering the formula, for example "A1".
3. The colon ":" describes a range of cells, a semicolon ";" separates commands.
4. Clicking the formula symbol "fx" opens a menu in which all possible functions are listed.

Calculations with Excel: arithmetic operators

The usual arithmetic operations are assigned the usual characters in Excel.

1. The basic arithmetic operations are carried out with the characters "+", "-", "*", "/"
2. Excel observes the operator precedence, for example "dot-before-dash". If you want a different order, enclose parentheses "()".
3. A power can be represented with the circumflex symbol "^", the square root with the word "ROOT ()".
4. "ROOT ()" is the square root. The 3rd root of 4 can only be expressed as a power: "4 ^ (1/3)"
5. The word "SUM ()" can be used to form a sum.

Calculate with trigonometry - that's how Excel works

In Excel, trigonometric functions consist of an abbreviation and a bracket: The cosine of 0 is written as "COS (0)". Of course, Excel also knows Euler's and Pi: "EXP (1)" and "PI ()"

1. Excel calculates in radians. If you want to calculate in degrees, multiply the value in brackets by "PI () / 2".
2. The abbreviations for sine, cosine, tangent and cotangent are: "SIN ()", "COS ()", "TAN ()", "COTAN ()".
3. The reverse functions are also possible: "ARCSIN ()", "ARCCOS ()", "ARCTAN ()". Pay attention to a valid range of values.

Equations and inequalities in Excel spreadsheets

Equations and inequalities are entered in a few characters:

1. The signs for equations and inequalities are less than "", less than or equal to "<=", greater than or equal to "<=", equal to "=" and not equal to "".
2. Equations and inequalities can be combined with case queries: "IF (1 <2;" True ";" False ")"
3. Logical operators are also integrated in Excel. They can be expressed with "AND (;)" and "OR (;)" or with "*" and "+".

Complex computing with Microsoft's Excel

The e-function was already indicated in the trigonomy paragraph with the description of Euler's e:

1. e to the power 4 is thus expressed as: "EXP (4)"
2. Complex numbers are expressed with "COMPLEX (1; 2;" i ")", where "1" is the real part, "2" is the imaginary part and "i" is the identification of the imaginary part in the Excel fields.
3. Complex e-functions are entered with "IMEXP ()".
4. You can call up the real and imaginary parts with the commands "REALTEIL ()" and "IMAGINÄRTEIL ()".

Calculator as an alternative in Excel

You can set up the Windows calculator in Excel for simple calculations:

1. Call "Run" by pressing the key combination [Windows] + [R].
2. Enter "calc" and press "OK".
3. The calculator opens and is particularly easy to use with the number pad.
4. To be able to call it up quickly at any time, right-click on "Computer" in the task bar and select "Pin this program to the task bar".
5. Now you can start the computer from the quick start area at any time.

This practical tip explains how to calculate compound interest using Excel.