Microsoft Excel is a spreadsheet program that enables the user to input alphanumeric data and to perform manipulations and transformations of that data. The primary method for these manipulations is through the use of the built in function database. The function database houses a wide variety of common procedures from a variety of disciplines.The most basic functions are simple arithmetic
. operations. Within a single cell, a function is initiated by an equals sign. This sign must be the first object typed into the cell otherwise the contents of the cell will be treated as text. For example to add two numbers together automatically, the Microsoft Excel function would take the form =x + y.While basic arithmetic functions are a common tool in data manipulation and analysis, Microsoft Excel is much more comprehensive and robust. Many different practical and academic disciplines have common functions which are a part of the individual field and many of these are represented in Excel. For example in engineering it is occasionally necessary to convert a number in decimal format to a number in another format. This can be done easily by calling the functions dec2bin for binary conversion, dec2hex for hexadecimal conversion or dec2oct for conversion to octal. Bessel functions can be solved using the functions besseli, besselj, besselk or bessely depending on the required calculation.Financial applications include amordegrc and amorlinc for calculating depreciation, fv and fvschedule for future value calculations, yield, yielddisc or yieldmat for a variety of return yield calculations. Statistical calculations are made easier in Microsoft Excel as well. F-tests, T-tests and Z-tests can be run using the ftest, ttest or ztest functions. Averages and standard deviations can be determined using avg and any of the stdev family: stdev, stdeva, stdevp or stdevpa.There are a multitude more built-in and add-in functions that can be used in Microsoft Excel. The Microsoft Excel website hosts a list of all of the functions as does TechontheNet.com. Whatever the calculation required by the situation, there is likely a Microsoft Excel function that can make the process easier on the individual. More reference links: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/excel-help/excel-functions-by-category-HP005204211.aspx http://www.techonthenet.com/excel/formulas/
