Excel Functions by Category
Comprehensive Excel function reference with syntax, examples, common errors, and tips.
- SUM — Adds all numbers in a range of cells. The most fundamental Excel function for calculating totals acr
- AVERAGE — Calculates the arithmetic mean of numbers in a range. Essential for statistical analysis, performanc
- VLOOKUP — Vertical Lookup - searches for a value in the leftmost column of a table and returns a value in the
- IF — Tests a condition and returns one value if TRUE, another value if FALSE. The foundation of logical d
- COUNT — Counts the number of cells containing numeric values. Essential for data validation and understandin
- MAX — Returns the largest value in a range. Critical for finding peak values, high scores, and maximum thr
- MIN — Returns the smallest value in a range. Essential for finding minimum thresholds, lowest prices, and
- CONCATENATE — Joins multiple text strings into one. While TEXTJOIN is newer, CONCATENATE remains widely used for c
- LEN — Returns the number of characters in a text string. Useful for data validation, text parsing, and ens
- SUMIF — Adds cells that meet a single criterion. The go-to function for conditional totals like summing sale
- SUMIFS — Adds cells meeting multiple criteria. The most powerful conditional sum function for complex busines
- COUNTIF — Counts cells meeting a single criterion. Essential for frequency analysis, data validation, and find
- COUNTIFS — Counts cells meeting multiple criteria. Perfect for complex counting scenarios with multiple conditi
- LEFT — Extracts a specified number of characters from the beginning of a text string. Essential for parsing
- XLOOKUP — The modern replacement for VLOOKUP and HLOOKUP with enhanced flexibility. XLOOKUP can search in any
- MATCH — Returns the relative position of an item in an array. Commonly paired with INDEX for powerful two-wa
- IFERROR — Catches errors in formulas and returns an alternative value. Essential for creating robust spreadshe
- HLOOKUP — Horizontal Lookup - searches for a value in the top row of a table and returns a value from a specif
- INDEX — Returns the value at a specified row and column in a range. When combined with MATCH, creates the mo
- TEXT — Converts a number to text with a specified format. Essential for displaying numbers, dates, and curr
- RIGHT — Extracts a specified number of characters from the end of a text string. Perfect for parsing suffixe
- MID — Extracts characters from the middle of a text string. The most versatile text extraction function fo
- TRIM — Removes extra spaces from text, leaving only single spaces between words. Essential for cleaning imp
- SUBSTITUTE — Replaces specific text within a string. Unlike REPLACE, works with actual text patterns rather than
- DATE — Creates a date from individual year, month, and day components. Essential for building dynamic dates
- TODAY — Returns the current date. Updates automatically when the workbook recalculates. Essential for age, d
- NOW — Returns the current date and time. Updates with each calculation. Perfect for timestamps and time-se
- INDIRECT — Returns the reference specified by a text string. Enables dynamic references that can change based o
- OFFSET — Returns a reference offset from a starting point by specified rows and columns. Creates dynamic rang
- COUNTA — Counts non-empty cells in a range, including text, numbers, and errors. The go-to function for deter