Functions: SUM, AVERAGE, MIN, MAX, COUNT

A function is a ready-made calculation with a name, followed by brackets that hold its inputs. =SUM(B2:B6) adds a range (every cell from B2 to B6). The most-used:

SUM adds, AVERAGE gives the mean.
MIN and MAX find the smallest and largest.
COUNT counts cells that hold numbers; COUNTA counts cells that are not empty.

Functions ignore text inside a range, so a heading above your numbers does no harm.

In this course each line of an example is one cell: the address, a colon, then what is in the cell. A line starting with = is a formula. Press Run to see the sheet with every formula worked out.

Exampleexcel

Open in editor »

Quick check

What is the difference between COUNT and COUNTA?

COUNT counts only numbers, COUNTA counts every non-empty cellThere is noneCOUNTA adds the cells

Your turn: write the code

In D1 show the highest of the scores in A2:A6.

Finish the quick check (and any code exercise) to complete this lesson, or mark it done yourself.

Tip: use the left and right arrow keys to move between lessons.