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A brief note on functions used in spreadsheets

Smitha.vn | | 2 min read

The use of functions in spreadsheets make the otherwise complex procedures relatively simple. Some of the commonly used functions are,

  • ISBLANK()

    ISBLANK function could be used to check for null values or blank values. 

    Syntax:- ISBLANK(value)

    Parameters: 'value' indicates what is to test. The function returns TRUE if value is blank and FALSE if value is not blank.

  • PROPER()

    PROPER function is to set the first letter of each word into uppercase and the rest of them into lower case. 

     Syntax: PROPER(text)

    Parameters: The 'text' indicates the string whose first letter to convert into upper case and rest of the letters to lower case.

  • ISNUMBER()

    ISNUMBER function to check whether the value is numeric or not. 

     Syntax: ISNUMBER(value)

    Parameters: 'value' indicates the value to test and if it is a number then the function returns TRUE and if not the function returns FALSE.

  • LEN()

    LEN function to return the length of the specified string. 

     Syntax: LEN(text)

    Parameters: 'text' indicates the string whose length is the return.

  • TODAY()

    TODAY function to return the current date. 

     Syntax: TODAY()
  • VALUE()

    VALUE function converts a numeric text value to number. 

     Syntax: VALUE(text)

    Parameters: 'text' indicates the return value as a number and if the value is not a number then the function returns #VALUE!.

  • COLUMNS()

    COLUMNS function returns the number of columns of a given reference. 

     Syntax: COLUMNS(Array)

    Parameters: Array is the reference to a cell range whose total number of columns found.

  • HYPERLINK()

    HYPERLINK function to pass a URL as the parameter and on clicking a cell with HYPERLINK function the hyperlink opens. 

     Syntax: HYPERLINK("URL")

    Parameters: URL specifies the link.

  • DDE

    Returns DDE-based link as the result. 

     Syntax: DDE("Server";"File";"Range";Mode)

    Parameters: Server specifies the name of the server application.

    File is the file to search for.

    Range is the area to search for the data.

    Mode is a parameter that controls the method by which the DDE server converts its data into numbers. This parameter is optional.

 

 

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