In Excel, a formula is a mathematical expression that is used to perform calculations on data in a worksheet, while a function is a pre-built formula that performs a specific operation on a range of cells, values, or other arguments.
Here are the main differences between a formula and a function in Excel:
- Formula: A formula is a user-created mathematical expression that starts with an equal sign (=). It can include numbers, operators, cell references, and functions. Formulas can be simple or complex, and they are often used to perform calculations on data.
Example of a formula: =A1+B1
- Function: A function is a pre-built formula that performs a specific operation on a range of cells, values, or other arguments. Functions can take one or more arguments and return a value. They can be used to perform a wide range of operations, such as mathematical calculations, text manipulation, and date and time calculations.
Example of a function: =SUM(A1:A10)
In summary, while both formulas and functions are used in Excel to perform calculations, formulas are user-created expressions while functions are pre-built formulas that perform specific operations.