Google Sheets - Basic Formulas
(Part of my administrative assistant series on Google Sheets.)
These are some of the most basic - and most used functions - in Google Sheets. If you are doing any of these by hand, it is time to begin using formulas to automate the process.
NOTE: When it says "selected data" this could be a typed in number OR a referenced cell address; this could also be a combination of both.
Basic Operations:
+ (addition)
Adds two selected data.
Example: =C2+30
- (subtraction)
Subtracts the second data referenced from the first data referenced.
Example: =100-D5
* (multiplication)
Multiples the two selected data.
Example: =C2*D2
/ (division)
Divides the first referenced data by the second.
Example: =E3/2
Order of Operations
If the formula is a longer string, standard order of operations is ALWAYS followed:
Basic Statistical Functions:
SUM
Finds the sum total of the selected data set.
Example: =SUM(D2:D7)
AVERAGE
Finds the average (mean) of the selected data set.
Example: =AVERAGE(D2:D7)
MEDIAN
Finds the middle number of the selected data set.
Example: =MEDIAN(D2:D7)
MODE
Finds the most frequently occurring number of the selected data set.
Example: =MODE(D2:D7)
Rounding Functions:
ROUND
Rounds the selected cell entry, using standard rounding rules.
Example: =ROUND(C2)
ROUNDDOWN
Rounds the selected cell entry down to next whole number.
Example: =ROUNDDOWN(D8)
ROUNDUP
Rounds the selected cell entry up to the next whole number.
Example: =ROUNDUP(C6)
These are some of the most basic - and most used functions - in Google Sheets. If you are doing any of these by hand, it is time to begin using formulas to automate the process.
NOTE: When it says "selected data" this could be a typed in number OR a referenced cell address; this could also be a combination of both.
Basic Operations:
+ (addition)
Adds two selected data.
Example: =C2+30
- (subtraction)
Subtracts the second data referenced from the first data referenced.
Example: =100-D5
* (multiplication)
Multiples the two selected data.
Example: =C2*D2
/ (division)
Divides the first referenced data by the second.
Example: =E3/2
Order of Operations
If the formula is a longer string, standard order of operations is ALWAYS followed:
- parenthesis/brackets calculated first
- powers calculated next
- multiplication/division calculated next
- addition/subtraction calculated last
Basic Statistical Functions:
SUM
Finds the sum total of the selected data set.
Example: =SUM(D2:D7)
AVERAGE
Finds the average (mean) of the selected data set.
Example: =AVERAGE(D2:D7)
MEDIAN
Finds the middle number of the selected data set.
Example: =MEDIAN(D2:D7)
MODE
Finds the most frequently occurring number of the selected data set.
Example: =MODE(D2:D7)
Rounding Functions:
ROUND
Rounds the selected cell entry, using standard rounding rules.
Example: =ROUND(C2)
ROUNDDOWN
Rounds the selected cell entry down to next whole number.
Example: =ROUNDDOWN(D8)
ROUNDUP
Rounds the selected cell entry up to the next whole number.
Example: =ROUNDUP(C6)