{"id":386995,"date":"2021-12-29T01:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-12-28T22:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/12-basic-excel-functions-everybody-should-know\/"},"modified":"2021-12-29T01:00:00","modified_gmt":"2021-12-28T22:00:00","slug":"12-basic-excel-functions-everybody-should-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/12-basic-excel-functions-everybody-should-know\/","title":{"rendered":"#12 Basic Excel Functions Everybody Should Know"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_89 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6af5fc47a8e45\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6af5fc47a8e45\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/12-basic-excel-functions-everybody-should-know\/#1_Add_Numbers_in_Cells_SUM\" >1. Add Numbers in Cells: SUM<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/12-basic-excel-functions-everybody-should-know\/#2_Average_Numbers_in_Cells_AVERAGE\" >2. Average Numbers in Cells: AVERAGE<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/12-basic-excel-functions-everybody-should-know\/#3_Find_the_High_or_Low_Value_MIN_and_MAX\" >3. Find the High or Low Value: MIN and MAX<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/12-basic-excel-functions-everybody-should-know\/#4_Find_the_Middle_Value_MEDIAN\" >4. Find the Middle Value: MEDIAN<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/12-basic-excel-functions-everybody-should-know\/#5_Count_Cells_Containing_Numbers_COUNT\" >5. Count Cells Containing Numbers: COUNT<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/12-basic-excel-functions-everybody-should-know\/#6_Insert_the_Current_Date_and_Time_NOW\" >6. Insert the Current Date and Time: NOW<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/12-basic-excel-functions-everybody-should-know\/#7_Round_to_a_Certain_Number_of_Digits_ROUND\" >7. Round to a Certain Number of Digits: ROUND<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/12-basic-excel-functions-everybody-should-know\/#8_Truncate_a_Number_by_Removing_the_Fraction_TRUNC\" >8. Truncate a Number by Removing the Fraction: TRUNC<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/12-basic-excel-functions-everybody-should-know\/#9_Find_the_Product_by_Multiplying_Cells_PRODUCT\" >9. Find the Product by Multiplying Cells: PRODUCT<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/12-basic-excel-functions-everybody-should-know\/#10_Use_the_Reference_Number_of_a_Given_Cell_COLUMN_and_ROW\" >10. Use the Reference Number of a Given Cell: COLUMN and ROW<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/12-basic-excel-functions-everybody-should-know\/#11_Eliminate_White_Space_TRIM\" >11. Eliminate White Space: TRIM<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/12-basic-excel-functions-everybody-should-know\/#12_Count_the_Number_of_Characters_in_a_String_LEN\" >12. Count the Number of Characters in a String: LEN<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p><strong>&#8220;#12 Basic Excel Functions Everybody Should Know&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<div>\n<!-- UNCACHED CONTENT --><br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"type:primaryImage alignnone size-full wp-image-757715\" data-pagespeed-lazy-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/microsoft_excel_hero_1200x675.jpg?width=398&amp;trim=1,1&amp;bg-color=000&amp;pad=1,1 400w, https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/microsoft_excel_hero_1200x675.jpg?width=1198&amp;trim=1,1&amp;bg-color=000&amp;pad=1,1 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, 400w, 1200w\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/microsoft_excel_hero_1200x675.jpg?width=1198&amp;trim=1,1&amp;bg-color=000&amp;pad=1,1\" alt=\"Microsoft Excel logo on a green background\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Microsoft Excel contains many functions that allow you to perform tasks without a calculator or extra work. But if you\u2019re unfamiliar with formulas, it can feel intimidating. Here, we\u2019ve listed 12 simple but useful Excel functions to get you started.<\/p>\n<h2 role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Add_Numbers_in_Cells_SUM\"><\/span>1. Add Numbers in Cells: SUM<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>One of the most basic things you can do with numbers is add them. Using the <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/696837\/how-to-calculate-the-sum-of-cells-in-excel\/\">SUM function in Excel you can add numbers in cells.<\/p>\n<p>The syntax is <code>SUM(value1, value2,...)<\/code> where <code>value1<\/code> is required and <code>value2<\/code> is optional. So for each argument, you can use a number, cell reference, or cell range.<\/p>\n<p>For example, to add the numbers in cells A2 through A10, you would enter the following and press Enter:<\/p>\n<pre>=SUM(A2:A10)<\/pre>\n<p>You then get your result in the cell containing the formula.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-765634\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/SUM-ExcelBasicFunctions.png?trim=1,1&amp;bg-color=000&amp;pad=1,1\" alt=\"SUM function in Excel\" width=\"440\" height=\"350\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/p>\n<h2 role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Average_Numbers_in_Cells_AVERAGE\"><\/span>2. Average Numbers in Cells: AVERAGE<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/401826\/how-to-calculate-a-weighted-average-in-excel\/\">Averaging a group of numbers is another common mathematical function.<\/p>\n<p>The syntax is the same for the AVERAGE function in Excel as with the SUM function, <code>AVERAGE(value1, value2,...)<\/code> with <code>value1<\/code> required and <code>value2<\/code> optional. You can enter cell references or ranges for the arguments.<\/p>\n<p>To average the numbers in cells A2 through A10, you would enter the following formula and press Enter:<\/p>\n<pre>=AVERAGE(A2:A10)<\/pre>\n<p>You then get your average in the cell containing the formula.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-765633\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/AVERAGE-ExcelBasicFunctions.png?trim=1,1&amp;bg-color=000&amp;pad=1,1\" alt=\"AVERAGE function in Excel\" width=\"475\" height=\"350\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/p>\n<p><strong>RELATED:<\/strong> <strong><em>How to Calculate a Weighted Average in Excel<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Find_the_High_or_Low_Value_MIN_and_MAX\"><\/span>3. Find the High or Low Value: MIN and MAX<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>When you need to find the minimum or maximum value in a range of cells, you use the MIN and MAX functions.<\/p>\n<p>The syntaxes for these functions are the same as the others, <code>MIN(value1, value2,...)<\/code> and <code>MAX(value1, value2,...)<\/code> with <code>value1<\/code> required and <code>value2<\/code> optional.<\/p>\n<p>To find the minimum, lowest value, in a group of cells, enter the following replacing the cell references with your own. Then, hit Enter:<\/p>\n<pre>=MIN(B2:B10)<\/pre>\n<p>And to find the maximum, highest value, use:<\/p>\n<pre>=MAX(B2:B10)<\/pre>\n<p>You\u2019ll then see the smallest or largest value in the cell with the formula.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-765632\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/MINMAX-ExcelBasicFunctions.png?trim=1,1&amp;bg-color=000&amp;pad=1,1\" alt=\"MIN and MAX functions in Excel\" width=\"440\" height=\"375\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/p>\n<h2 role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_Find_the_Middle_Value_MEDIAN\"><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" name=\"autotoc_anchor_3\">4. Find the Middle Value: MEDIAN<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Instead of the minimum or maximum value, you may want the middle one.<\/p>\n<p>As you may have guessed, the syntax is the same, <code>MEDIAN(value1, value2,...)<\/code> with the first argument required and the second optional.<\/p>\n<p>For the middle value in a range of cells enter the following and press Enter:<\/p>\n<pre>=MEDIAN(A2:A10)<\/pre>\n<p>You\u2019ll then see the middle number of your cell range.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-765631\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/MEDIAN-ExcelBasicFunctions.png?trim=1,1&amp;bg-color=000&amp;pad=1,1\" alt=\"MEDIAN function in Excel\" width=\"470\" height=\"350\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/p>\n<h2 role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_Count_Cells_Containing_Numbers_COUNT\"><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" name=\"autotoc_anchor_4\">5. Count Cells Containing Numbers: COUNT<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Maybe you\u2019d like to <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/763146\/how-to-count-cells-in-microsoft-excel\/\">count how many cells in a range contain numbers. For this, you would use the COUNT function.<\/p>\n<p>The syntax is the same as the above two functions, <code>COUNT(value1, value2,...)<\/code> with the first argument required and the second optional.<\/p>\n<p>To count the number of cells that contain numbers in the range A1 through B10, you would enter the following and press Enter:<\/p>\n<pre>=COUNT(A1:B10)<\/pre>\n<p>You then get your count in the cell containing the formula.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-765630\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/COUNT-ExcelBasicFunctions.png?trim=1,1&amp;bg-color=000&amp;pad=1,1\" alt=\"COUNT function in Excel\" width=\"460\" height=\"350\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/p>\n<p><strong>RELATED:<\/strong> <strong><em>How to Count Cells in Microsoft Excel<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"6_Insert_the_Current_Date_and_Time_NOW\"><\/span>6. Insert the Current Date and Time: NOW<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>If you\u2019d like to display the current date and time whenever you open your spreadsheet, use the NOW function in Excel.<\/p>\n<p>The syntax is <code>NOW()<\/code> because the function has no required arguments. You can, however, <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/731002\/how-to-add-or-subtract-dates-in-microsoft-excel\/\">add or remove from the current date and time if you like.<\/p>\n<p>To return the current date and time, enter the following and press Enter:<\/p>\n<pre>=NOW()<\/pre>\n<p>To return the date and time five days in the future from the current date and time, enter this formula and hit Enter:<\/p>\n<pre>=NOW()+5<\/pre>\n<p>And here\u2019s how the results would look for each of the above formulas.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-765629\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/NOW-ExcelBasicFunctions.png?trim=1,1&amp;bg-color=000&amp;pad=1,1\" alt=\"NOW function in Excel\" width=\"420\" height=\"135\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/p>\n<h2 role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"7_Round_to_a_Certain_Number_of_Digits_ROUND\"><\/span>7. Round to a Certain Number of Digits: ROUND<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>If you have decimal numbers in your sheet that you want to round up or down, use the <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/356645\/how-to-round-off-decimal-values-in-excel\/\">ROUND function in Excel.<\/p>\n<p>The syntax is <code>ROUND(value1, digits)<\/code> where both arguments are required. For <code>value1<\/code> , use the number you want to round. For <code>digits<\/code> , use the number of decimal places to round the number.<\/p>\n<p>For example, to round the number 2.25 up one decimal place, enter the following and press Enter:<\/p>\n<pre>=ROUND(2.25,1)<\/pre>\n<p>And you have your results. If you want to round down, simply use a negative number for the digits argument.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-765640\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/ROUND-ExcelBasicFunctions.png?trim=1,1&amp;bg-color=000&amp;pad=1,1\" alt=\"ROUND function in Excel\" width=\"455\" height=\"110\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/p>\n<h2 role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"8_Truncate_a_Number_by_Removing_the_Fraction_TRUNC\"><\/span>8. Truncate a Number by Removing the Fraction: TRUNC<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Maybe you\u2019d prefer to truncate a number rather than round it. Using the <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/462168\/how-to-use-the-trunc-function-in-excel\/\">TRUNC function, you can remove the fraction from the number.<\/p>\n<p>The syntax is <code>TRUNC(value1, digits)<\/code> with <code>value1<\/code> required and <code>digits<\/code> optional. If you don\u2019t enter the digits, the default value is zero.<\/p>\n<p>So, to truncate the number 7.2 you would enter the following and press Enter:<\/p>\n<pre>=TRUNC(7.2)<\/pre>\n<p>The result of this formula would be the number seven.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-765639\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/TRUNC-ExcelBasicFunctions.png?trim=1,1&amp;bg-color=000&amp;pad=1,1\" alt=\"TRUNC function in Excel\" width=\"430\" height=\"110\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/p>\n<h2 role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"9_Find_the_Product_by_Multiplying_Cells_PRODUCT\"><\/span>9. Find the Product by Multiplying Cells: PRODUCT<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>If you need to <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/745730\/how-to-add-subtract-or-multiply-values-with-paste-special-in-microsoft-excel\/\">multiply several cells, using the PRODUCT function is more efficient than using the multiplication symbol (*) in a formula.<\/p>\n<p>The syntax is <code>PRODUCT(value1, value2,...)<\/code> with <code>value1<\/code> required and <code>value2<\/code> optional. You can use <code>value1<\/code> for the cell range and <code>value2<\/code> for an additional cell range if needed.<\/p>\n<p>To find the product of cells A2 through A10, you would enter the following and hit Enter:<\/p>\n<pre>=PRODUCT(A2:A10)<\/pre>\n<p>As you can see, this is much simpler than entering <code>A2 * A3 * A4<\/code> , and so on.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-765635\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/PRODUCT-ExcelBasicFunctions.png?trim=1,1&amp;bg-color=000&amp;pad=1,1\" alt=\"PRODUCT function in Excel\" width=\"480\" height=\"350\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/p>\n<p><strong>RELATED:<\/strong> <strong><em>How to Add or Multiply Values with Paste Special in Microsoft Excel<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"10_Use_the_Reference_Number_of_a_Given_Cell_COLUMN_and_ROW\"><\/span>10. Use the Reference Number of a Given Cell: COLUMN and ROW<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>With the COLUMN and ROW functions in Excel, you can return the position number of a cell. These functions are useful for entering a series of reference numbers in your sheet, or <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/756907\/how-to-number-rows-in-microsoft-excel\/\">row numbers, for instance.<\/p>\n<p>The syntax for each is <code>COLUMN(reference)<\/code> and <code>ROW(reference)<\/code> where the argument is not required. If you don\u2019t enter an argument, the formula returns the reference for the cell containing the formula.<\/p>\n<p>For example, if you enter the following formula into cell B2, the result would be 2 because B2 is in the second row.<\/p>\n<pre>=ROW()<\/pre>\n<p>But if you enter the following formula with an argument, you\u2019ll receive the reference number for the cell.<\/p>\n<pre>=ROW(C5)<\/pre>\n<p>You can see here; the result is 5 because C5 is in the fifth row.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-765638\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/ROW-ExcelBasicFunctions.png?trim=1,1&amp;bg-color=000&amp;pad=1,1\" alt=\"ROW function in Excel\" width=\"410\" height=\"110\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/p>\n<h2 role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"11_Eliminate_White_Space_TRIM\"><\/span>11. Eliminate White Space: TRIM<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Oftentimes you when you paste or import data, it contains extra spaces. The <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/710718\/how-to-use-the-trim-function-in-microsoft-excel\/\">TRIM function eliminates white space.<\/p>\n<p>The syntax is <code>TRIM(reference)<\/code> with the argument required for the cell reference containing the data.<\/p>\n<p>To remove extra spaces from cell A1, you would enter the following and hit Enter:<\/p>\n<pre>=TRIM(A1)<\/pre>\n<p>You\u2019ll then see the data in your referenced cell without the leading and trailing spaces.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-765636\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/TRIM-ExcelBasicFunctions.png?trim=1,1&amp;bg-color=000&amp;pad=1,1\" alt=\"TRIM function in Excel\" width=\"415\" height=\"110\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/p>\n<h2 role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"12_Count_the_Number_of_Characters_in_a_String_LEN\"><\/span>12. Count the Number of Characters in a String: LEN<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Maybe you need to find the number of characters in a string of text. Here, you\u2019d use the <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/716615\/how-to-use-the-len-function-in-microsoft-excel\/\">LEN function in Excel.<\/p>\n<p>The syntax is <code>LEN(reference)<\/code> with the argument required for the cell reference containing the text.<\/p>\n<p>To find the number of characters in cell A1, enter the following formula and press Enter:<\/p>\n<pre>=LEN(A1)<\/pre>\n<p>The result is 25 because \u201cUse the data from Finance\u201d contains that number of characters and note that spaces <em>are\u00a0<\/em>counted as characters.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-765637\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/LEN-ExcelBasicFunctions.png?trim=1,1&amp;bg-color=000&amp;pad=1,1\" alt=\"LEN function in Excel\" width=\"405\" height=\"140\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/p>\n<p>There are many other useful functions in Excel such as VLOOKUP for finding a value and CONCATENATE for joining strings of text. But this list of the basics should help you with simple tasks while becoming more familiar with using functions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><script>\n setTimeout(function(){\n  !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s)\n  {if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod?\n  n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};\n  if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0';\n  n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0;\n  t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0];\n  s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s) } (window, document,'script',\n  'https:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/fbevents.js');\n   fbq('init', '335401813750447');\n   fbq('track', 'PageView');\n  },3000);\n<\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMLG0nwswvr63Aw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Google News<\/a><\/span>\u00a0too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">For forums sites go to <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/forum.buradabiliyorum.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Forum.BuradaBiliyorum.Com<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If you want to read more like this article, you can visit our <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/technology\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Technology category.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"color: black;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/765624\/basic-excel-functions-everybody-should-know\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;#12 Basic Excel Functions Everybody Should Know&#8221; Microsoft Excel contains many functions that allow you to perform tasks without a calculator or extra work. But if you\u2019re unfamiliar with formulas, it can feel intimidating. Here, we\u2019ve listed 12 simple but useful Excel functions to get you started. 1. Add Numbers in Cells: SUM One of&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":386996,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/microsoft_excel_hero_1200x675.jpg?height=200p&trim=2,2,2,2","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-386995","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-technology"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/386995","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=386995"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/386995\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/386996"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=386995"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=386995"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=386995"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}