**Welcome to Step 4 of your Excel learning journey!** In this step, we’ll explore **basic formulas** that form the building blocks of powerful Excel workbooks. ## **📌 What is a Formula in Excel?** A **formula** is an expression used to calculate values, process data, or automate tasks in Excel. Every formula starts with an **equal sign (=)**. **Example: =2+2 =SUM(A1:A5)** ## **🧮 1. SUM – Adding Values** The `SUM` function adds a group of numbers. **Formula: =SUM(A1:A5)** Meaning: Adds values from cell A1 to A5 **Example: If A1 = 10, A2 = 20, A3 = 30, =SUM(A1:A3) returns 60** ## **📊 2. AVERAGE – Finding the Mean** The `AVERAGE` function returns the arithmetic mean. **Formula: =AVERAGE(B1:B5)** Meaning: Adds the values in B1 to B5 and divides by the number of entries **Example: If B1 to B5 = 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 =AVERAGE(B1:B5) returns 30** ## **🔢 3. MIN and MAX – Smallest and Largest** **`MIN()` returns the smallest number. `MAX()` returns the largest number.** **Examples: =MIN(C1:C5) → Smallest value in range =MAX(C1:C5) → Largest value in range** ## **📉 4. COUNT – Counting Numbers** **`COUNT()` counts the number of numeric entries in a range.** **Example: =COUNT(D1:D10) If 5 cells contain numbers, it returns 5.** ## **📝 5. COUNTA – Counting Non-Empty Cells** `COUNTA()` counts both numbers and text (non-empty cells). Example: =COUNTA(D1:D10) If 7 cells contain anything (text or numbers), it returns 7. ### **💡 Bonus: AutoSum Feature** Instead of typing `=SUM()`, you can use the **AutoSum (Σ)** button on the toolbar. Excel will automatically select the most likely range to sum. Steps: 1. Click the cell below your list of numbers 2. Click the **AutoSum (Σ)** icon 3. Press Enter ### **⚠️ Tips to Remember** * **All formulas begin with `=`** * **Cell references can be typed manually or clicked** * **Excel highlights referenced cells for easy identification** * **Use `Ctrl + Z` to undo if you make a mistake** ### **📌 Practice Exercise** Try this: 1. **Open a blank Excel file** 2. **In A1 to A5, type: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25** 3. **In A6, enter: =SUM(A1:A5)** 4. **Try =AVERAGE(A1:A5), =MAX(A1:A5), and =MIN(A1:A5)** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0T3PHlhesY ✅ Summary\*\* These basic formulas are the building blocks of Excel. Once you’re confident using them, you’re ready for conditional logic, lookups, and dashboards!

🧩 Step 4: Basic Formulas – SUM, AVERAGE, and More!

B4ALLB4U

Welcome to Step 4 of your Excel learning journey!
In this step, we’ll explore basic formulas that form the building blocks of powerful Excel workbooks.

📌 What is a Formula in Excel?

A formula is an expression used to calculate values, process data, or automate tasks in Excel.
Every formula starts with an equal sign (=).

Example:
=2+2
=SUM(A1:A5)

🧮 1. SUM – Adding Values

The SUM function adds a group of numbers.

Formula:
=SUM(A1:A5)

Meaning: Adds values from cell A1 to A5

Example:
If A1 = 10, A2 = 20, A3 = 30,
=SUM(A1:A3) returns 60

📊 2. AVERAGE – Finding the Mean

The AVERAGE function returns the arithmetic mean.

Formula:
=AVERAGE(B1:B5)

Meaning: Adds the values in B1 to B5 and divides by the number of entries

Example:
If B1 to B5 = 10, 20, 30, 40, 50
=AVERAGE(B1:B5) returns 30

🔢 3. MIN and MAX – Smallest and Largest

MIN() returns the smallest number.
MAX() returns the largest number.

Examples:
=MIN(C1:C5) → Smallest value in range
=MAX(C1:C5) → Largest value in range

📉 4. COUNT – Counting Numbers

COUNT() counts the number of numeric entries in a range.

Example:
=COUNT(D1😃10)
If 5 cells contain numbers, it returns 5.

📝 5. COUNTA – Counting Non-Empty Cells

COUNTA() counts both numbers and text (non-empty cells).

Example:
=COUNTA(D1😃10)
If 7 cells contain anything (text or numbers), it returns 7.

💡 Bonus: AutoSum Feature

Instead of typing =SUM(), you can use the AutoSum (Σ) button on the toolbar.
Excel will automatically select the most likely range to sum.

Steps:

Click the cell below your list of numbers
Click the AutoSum (Σ) icon
Press Enter

⚠️ Tips to Remember

All formulas begin with =
Cell references can be typed manually or clicked
Excel highlights referenced cells for easy identification
Use Ctrl + Z to undo if you make a mistake

📌 Practice Exercise

Try this:

Open a blank Excel file
In A1 to A5, type: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25
In A6, enter: =SUM(A1:A5)
Try =AVERAGE(A1:A5), =MAX(A1:A5), and =MIN(A1:A5)

✅ Summary**

These basic formulas are the building blocks of Excel.
Once you’re confident using them, you’re ready for conditional logic, lookups, and dashboards!