Module 2: Formulas, Functions and Formatting

EX 2-1 Flash Fill

Flash Fill is an Excel feature that looks for patterns in the data and automatically fills or formats
data in remaining cells based on those patterns.

In addition to formatting data, Flash Fill can perform tasks such as concatenating data from
multiple cells and separating data from one cell into multiple cells.

EX 2-2 Entering Formulas

A formula is a mathematical statement in a spreadsheet or table cell that calculates a value using
cell references, numbers, and arithmetic operators such as +, –, *, and /.

In a spreadsheet, an error that occurs when one of the defining values in a cell is itself is called
a circular reference. Excel warns you when you create circular references. In almost all cases,
circular references are the result of an incorrect formula.

Types of Circular Reference:

1. Direct circular reference occurs when a formula refers to the same cell in which it is
entered.
2. Indirect circular reference occurs when a formula in a cell refers to another cell or cells
that include a formula that refers back to the original cell.

Arithmetic Operations Listed in Order of Operations

Arithmetic Meaning Example of Result
Operator Usage

− Negation −78 Negative 78

% Percentage =23% Multiplies 23 by 0.01

^ Exponentiation =3 ^ 4 Raises 3 to the fourth power

* Multiplication =61.5 * C5 Multiplies the contents of cell C5 by 61.5

/ Division =H3 / H11 Divides the contents of cell H3 by the contents

of cell H11

+ Addition =11 + 9 Adds 11 and 9

 Arithmetic Meaning Example of Result
Operator Usage

– Subtraction =22 − F15 Subtracts the contents of cell F15 from 22

When more than one arithmetic operator is involved in a formula, Excel follows the same basic
order of operations that you use in algebra. The order of operations is the sequence in which
operators are applied in a calculation. Moving from left to right in a formula, the order of operations
is as follows: first negation (−), then all percentages (%), then all exponentiations (^), then all
multiplications (*) and divisions (/), and, finally, all additions (+) and subtractions (−).

When copying formulas in Excel, the source area is the cell, or range, from which data or formulas
are being copied. When a range is used as a source, it sometimes is called the source range. The
destination area is the cell, or range, to which data or formulas are being copied.

When a range is used as a destination in a data exchange, it sometimes is called the destination
range.

MAX function that displays the highest value in a range.

MIN function determine the lowest (minimum)
AVERAGE function is an Excel function that calculates the average value of a collection of numbers

EX 2-3 Verifying Formulas Using Range Finder

Range Finder checks which cells are referenced in the formula assigned to the active cell.
To use Range Finder to verify that a formula contains the intended cell references, double-
click the cell with the formula you want to check. Excel responds by highlighting the cells
referenced in the formula so that you can verify that the cell references are correct.

EX 2-4 Formatting the Worksheet

A theme formats a worksheet by applying a collection of fonts, font styles, colors, and effects to give
it a consistent appearance.

EX 2-5 Conditional Formatting

Conditional formatting is special formatting — the font, font color, background fill, and other
options — that is applied if cell values meet specified criteria. Excel offers a variety of commonly
used conditional formatting rules, along with the ability to create your own custom rules and
formatting.
EX 2-6 Checking Spelling

Excel includes a spelling checker you can use to check a worksheet for spelling errors.
The spelling checker looks for spelling errors by comparing words on the worksheet
against words contained in its standard dictionary. If you often use specialized terms that
are not in the standard dictionary, you may want to add them to a custom dictionary using
the Spelling dialog box. When the spelling checker finds a word that is not in either
dictionary, it displays the word in the Spelling dialog box. You then can correct it if it is
misspelled.

EX 2-7 Printing the Worksheet

A header is text and graphics that print at the top of each page. Similarly, a footer is text
and graphics that print at the bottom of each page. When you insert a header or footer in a
workbook, they can display the same on all pages, you can have a different header and
footer on the first page of the workbook, or you can have different headers and footers on
odd and even pages.