Top 50 Excel Formulas

1. VLOOKUP: Searches for a value in the leftmost column of a table and returns a corresponding
value from a specified column. Example: =VLOOKUP(A2, B2:C10, 2, FALSE)
2. SUM: Adds up a range of cells. Example: =SUM(A1:A10)
3. IF: Performs a conditional test and returns different values based on the result. Example:
=IF(A1>10, "High", "Low")
4. COUNT: Counts the number of cells in a range that contains numbers. Example:
=COUNT(A1:A10)
5. AVERAGE: Calculates the average of a range of cells. Example: =AVERAGE(A1:A10)
6. SUMIF: Adds up the cells that meet a specific condition. Example: =SUMIF(A1:A10, ">50")
7. INDEX: Returns the value of a cell in a specified row and column. Example: =INDEX(A1:C10,
5, 2)
8. MATCH: Finds the position of a value in a range. Example: =MATCH(A1, B1:B10, 0)
9. CONCATENATE: Joins two or more text strings together. Example: =CONCATENATE(A1, "
", B1)
10. COUNTIF: Counts the number of cells that meet a specific condition. Example:
=COUNTIF(A1:A10, ">50")
11. IFERROR: Checks if a formula produces an error and returns a specified value if true. Example:
=IFERROR(A1/B1, "Error")
12. LEFT: Extracts a specified number of characters from the beginning of a text string. Example:
=LEFT(A1, 3)
13. RIGHT: Extracts a specified number of characters from the end of a text string. Example:
=RIGHT(A1, 2)
14. MID: Extracts a specified number of characters from a text string, starting at a specified position.
Example: =MID(A1, 2, 4)
15. LEN: Returns the number of characters in a text string. Example: =LEN(A1)
16. DATE: Returns the serial number of a specific date. Example: =DATE(2022, 3, 15)
17. NOW: Returns the current date and time. Example: =NOW()
18. INDIRECT: Converts a text string into a valid cell reference. Example: =INDIRECT("A1")
19. TRIM: Removes leading and trailing spaces from a text string. Example: =TRIM(A1)
20. SUBSTITUTE: Replaces specific text in a text string with new text. Example:
=SUBSTITUTE(A1, "apple", "orange")
21. RANK: Returns the rank of a number in a list of numbers. Example: =RANK(A1, A1:A10)
22. MAX: Finds the maximum value in a range of cells. Example: =MAX(A1:A10)
23. MIN: Finds the minimum value in a range of cells. Example: =MIN(A1:A10)
24. ROUND: Rounds a number to a specified number of decimal places. Example: =ROUND(A1, 2)
25. NETWORKDAYS: Calculates the number of working days
26. TEXT: Converts a value to text in a specific format. Example: =TEXT(A1, "yyyy-mm-dd")
27. RAND: Returns a random number between 0 and 1. Example: =RAND()
28. IFNA: Checks if a formula returns the #N/A error and returns a specified value if true. Example:
=IFNA(VLOOKUP(A1, B1:C10, 2, FALSE), "Not Found")
29. HLOOKUP: Searches for a value in the top row of a table and returns a corresponding value
from a specified row. Example: =HLOOKUP(A1, A1:D10, 3, FALSE)
30. CONCAT: Joins two or more text strings together. Example: =CONCAT(A1, " ", B1, " ", C1)
31. TODAY: Returns the current date. Example: =TODAY()
32. OR: Checks multiple conditions and returns true if any of them are true. Example: =OR(A1>10,
B1="Yes")
33. AND: Checks multiple conditions and returns true if all of them are true. Example:
=AND(A1>10, B1="Yes")
34. DATEVALUE: Converts a date in the text format to a serial number. Example:
=DATEVALUE("2022-03-15")
35. ROUNDUP: Rounds a number up to a specified number of decimal places. Example:
=ROUNDUP(A1, 0)
36. ROUNDDOWN: Rounds a number down to a specified number of decimal places. Example:
=ROUNDDOWN(A1, 0)
37. ISNUMBER: Checks if a value is a number and returns true or false. Example:
=ISNUMBER(A1)
38. IFBLANK: Checks if a cell is blank and returns a specified value if true. Example:
=IFBLANK(A1, "Empty")
39. PROPER: Converts the first letter of each word in a text string to uppercase. Example:
=PROPER(A1)
40. MEDIAN: Calculates the median of a range of numbers. Example: =MEDIAN(A1:A10)
41. MODE: Returns the most frequently occurring value in a range of numbers. Example:
=MODE(A1:A10)
42. DAY: Extracts the day value from a date. Example: =DAY(A1)
43. MONTH: Extracts the month value from a date. Example: =MONTH(A1)
44. YEAR: Extracts the year value from a date. Example: =YEAR(A1)
45. TRANSPOSE: Transposes the rows and columns of a range. Example: Enter the formula, then
select a range and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter.
46. PMT: Calculates the payment amount for a loan based on constant payments and a constant
interest rate. Example: =PMT(0.05/12, 60, 10000)
47. PRODUCT: Multiplies the values in a range of cells. Example: =PRODUCT(A1:A10)
48. STDEV: Estimates the standard deviation based on a sample from a population. Example:
=STDEV(A1:A10)
49. LEFTB: Extracts a specified number of bytes from the beginning of a text string. Example:
=LEFTB(A1, 3)
50. FIND: Finds the position of a specific character or text within a text string. Example:
=FIND("a", A1)
Excel Formulas and Functions

There are plenty of Excel formulas and functions depending on what kind of operation
you want to perform on the dataset. We will look into the formulas and functions on
mathematical operations, character-text functions, data and time, sumif-countif, and few
lookup functions.

Let’s now look at the top 25 Excel formulas you must know. In this article, we have
categorized 25 Excel formulas based on their operations. Let’s start with the first Excel
formula on our list.

1. SUM

The SUM() function, as the name suggests, gives the total of the selected range of cell
values. It performs the mathematical operation which is addition. Here’s an example of it
below:

Sum "=SUM(C2:C4)"

Fig: Sum function in Excel

As you can see above, to find the total amount of sales for every unit, we had to simply
type in the function “=SUM(C2:C4)”. This automatically adds up 300, 385, and 480. The
result is stored in C5.
2. AVERAGE

The AVERAGE() function focuses on calculating the average of the selected range of
cell values. As seen from the below example, to find the avg of the total sales, you have
to simply type in:

AVERAGE =AVERAGE(C2, C3, C4)

Fig: Average function in Excel

It automatically calculates the average, and you can store the result in your desired
location.

3. COUNT

The function COUNT() counts the total number of cells in a range that contains a
number. It does not include the cell, which is blank, and the ones that hold data in any
other format apart from numeric.

COUNT =COUNT(C1:C4)
 Fig: Microsoft Excel Function - Count

As seen above, here, we are counting from C1 to C4, ideally four cells. But since the
COUNT function takes only the cells with numerical values into consideration, the
answer is 3 as the cell containing “Total Sales” is omitted here.

If you are required to count all the cells with numerical values, text, and any other data
format, you must use the function ‘COUNTA()’. However, COUNTA() does not count
any blank cells.

To count the number of blank cells present in a range of cells, COUNTBLANK() is

used.

4. SUBTOTAL

Moving ahead, let’s now understand how the subtotal function works. The SUBTOTAL()
function returns the subtotal in a database. Depending on what you want, you can
select either average, count, sum, min, max, min, and others. Let’s have a look at two
such examples.

Fig: Subtotal function in Excel

In the example above, we have performed the subtotal calculation on cells ranging from
A2 to A4. As you can see, the function used is

SUBTOTAL =SUBTOTAL(1, A2: A4)

In the subtotal list “1” refers to average. Hence, the above function will give the average
of A2: A4 and the answer to it is 11, which is stored in C5. Similarly,

“=SUBTOTAL(4, A2: A4)”

This selects the cell with the maximum value from A2 to A4, which is 12. Incorporating
“4” in the function provides the maximum result.

Fig: Count function in Excel

5. MODULUS

The MOD() function works on returning the remainder when a particular number is
divided by a divisor. Let’s now have a look at the examples below for better
understanding.

 In the first example, we have divided 10 by 3. The remainder is calculated using the function

MODULUS =MOD(A2,3)

 The result is stored in B2. We can also directly type “=MOD(10,3)” as it will give the same
answer.

Fig: Modulus function in Excel

 Similarly, here, we have divided 12 by 4. The remainder is 0 is, which is stored in B3.
 Fig: Modulus function in Excel

6. POWER

The function “Power()” returns the result of a number raised to a certain power. Let’s
have a look at the examples shown below:

Fig: Power function in Excel

As you can see above, to find the power of 10 stored in A2 raised to 3, we have to type:

Power =POWER (A2,3)

This is how power function works in Excel.

7. CEILING

Next, we have the ceiling function. The CEILING() function rounds a number up to its
nearest multiple of significance.
 Fig: Ceiling function in Excel

The nearest highest multiple of 5 for 35.316 is 40.

8. FLOOR

Contrary to the Ceiling function, the floor function rounds a number down to the nearest
multiple of significance.

Fig: Floor function in Excel

The nearest lowest multiple of 5 for 35.316 is 35.

9. CONCATENATE

This function merges or joins several text strings into one text string. Given below are
the different ways to perform this function.

 In this example, we have operated with the syntax:

CONCATENATE =CONCATENATE(A25, " ", B25)

 Fig: Concatenate function in Excel

 In this example, we have operated with the syntax:

"=CONCATENATE(A27&" "&B27)"

Fig: Concatenate function in Excel

Those were the two ways to implement the concatenation operation in Excel.

Also Read: How to Use Concatenate in Excel?

10. LEN

The function LEN() returns the total number of characters in a string. So, it will count the
overall characters, including spaces and special characters. Given below is an example
of the Len function.
 Fig: Len function in Excel

Let’s now move onto the next Excel function on our list of this article.

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11. REPLACE

As the name suggests, the REPLACE() function works on replacing the part of a text
string with a different text string.

The syntax is “=REPLACE(old_text, start_num, num_chars, new_text)”. Here,

start_num refers to the index position you want to start replacing the characters with.
Next, num_chars indicate the number of characters you want to replace.

Let’s have a look at the ways we can use this function.

 Here, we are replacing A101 with B101 by typing

REPLACE =REPLACE(A15,1,1,"B")

Fig: Replace function in Excel

 Next, we are replacing A102 with A2102 by typing:

“=REPLACE(A16,1,1, "A2")”
 Fig: Replace function in Excel

 Finally, we are replacing Adam with Saam by typing:

“=REPLACE(A17,1,2, "Sa")”

Fig: Replace function in Excel

Let’s now move to our next function.

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12. SUBSTITUTE

The SUBSTITUTE() function replaces the existing text with a new text in a text string.

The syntax is “=SUBSTITUTE(text, old_text, new_text, [instance_num])”.

Here, [instance_num] refers to the index position of the present texts more than once.

Given below are a few examples of this function:

 Here, we are substituting “I like” with “He likes” by typing:

 “=SUBSTITUTE(A20, "I like","He likes")”

Fig: Substitute function in Excel

 Next, we are substituting the second 2010 that occurs in the original text in cell A21 with
2016 by typing “=SUBSTITUTE(A21,2010, 2016,2)”.

Fig: Substitute function in Excel

 Now, we are replacing both the 2010s in the original text with 2016 by typing
“=SUBSTITUTE(A22,2010,2016)”.

Fig: Substitute function in Excel

That was all about the substitute function, let’s now move on to our next function.
13. LEFT, RIGHT, MID

The LEFT() function gives the number of characters from the start of a text string.
Meanwhile, the MID() function returns the characters from the middle of a text string,
given a starting position and length. Finally, the right() function returns the number of
characters from the end of a text string.

Let’s understand these functions with a few examples.

 In the example below, we use the function left to obtain the leftmost word on the sentence in
cell A5.

Fig: Left function in Excel

Shown below is an example using the mid function.

Fig: Mid function in Excel

 Here, we have an example of the right function.

 Fig: Right function in Excel

14. UPPER, LOWER, PROPER

The UPPER() function converts any text string to uppercase. In contrast, the LOWER()
function converts any text string to lowercase. The PROPER() function converts any
text string to proper case, i.e., the first letter in each word will be in uppercase, and all
the other will be in lowercase.

Let’s understand this better with the following examples:

 Here, we have converted the text in A6 to a full uppercase one in A7.

Fig: Upper function in Excel

 Now, we have converted the text in A6 to a full lowercase one, as seen in A7.

Fig: Lower function in Excel

 Finally, we have converted the improper text in A6 to a clean and proper format in A7.
 Fig: Proper function in Excel

Now, let us hop on to exploring some date and time functions in Excel.

15. NOW()

The NOW() function in Excel gives the current system date and time.

Fig: Now function in Excel

The result of the NOW() function will change based on your system date and time.

16. TODAY()

The TODAY() function in Excel provides the current system date.

Fig: Today function in Excel

The function DAY() is used to return the day of the month. It will be a number between 1
to 31. 1 is the first day of the month, 31 is the last day of the month.
 Fig: Day function in Excel

The MONTH() function returns the month, a number from 1 to 12, where 1 is January
and 12 is December.

Fig: Month function in Excel

The YEAR() function, as the name suggests, returns the year from a date value.

Fig: Year function in Excel

17. TIME()

The TIME() function converts hours, minutes, seconds given as numbers to an Excel
serial number, formatted with a time format.

Fig: Time function in Excel

18. HOUR, MINUTE, SECOND

The HOUR() function generates the hour from a time value as a number from 0 to 23.
Here, 0 means 12 AM and 23 is 11 PM.

Fig: Hour function in Excel

The function MINUTE(), returns the minute from a time value as a number from 0 to 59.

Fig: Minute function in Excel

The SECOND() function returns the second from a time value as a number from 0 to 59.

Fig: Second function in Excel

19. DATEDIF

The DATEDIF() function provides the difference between two dates in terms of years,
months, or days.

Below is an example of a DATEDIF function where we calculate the current age of a

person based on two given dates, the date of birth and today’s date.

Fig: Datedif function in Excel

Now, let’s skin through a few critical advanced functions in Excel that are popularly used
to analyze data and create reports.

20. VLOOKUP

Next up in this article is the VLOOKUP() function. This stands for the vertical lookup that
is responsible for looking for a particular value in the leftmost column of a table. It then
returns a value in the same row from a column you specify.
Below are the arguments for the VLOOKUP function:

lookup_value - This is the value that you have to look for in the first column of a table.

table - This indicates the table from which the value is retrieved.

col_index - The column in the table from the value is to be retrieved.

range_lookup - [optional] TRUE = approximate match (default). FALSE = exact match.

We will use the below table to learn how the VLOOKUP function works.

If you wanted to find the department to which Stuart belongs, you could use the
VLOOKUP function as shown below:

Fig: Vlookup function in Excel

Here, A11 cell has the lookup value, A2: E7 is the table array, 3 is the column index
number with information about departments, and 0 is the range lookup.

If you hit enter, it will return “Marketing”, indicating that Stuart is from the marketing
department.
21. HLOOKUP

Similar to VLOOKUP, we have another function called HLOOKUP() or horizontal

lookup. The function HLOOKUP looks for a value in the top row of a table or array of
benefits. It gives the value in the same column from a row you specify.

Below are the arguments for the HLOOKUP function:

lookup_value - This indicates the value to lookup.

table - This is the table from which you have to retrieve data.

row_index - This is the row number from which to retrieve data.

range_lookup - [optional] This is a boolean to indicate an exact match or approximate

match. The default value is TRUE, meaning an approximate match.

Given the below table, let’s see how you can find the city of Jenson using HLOOKUP.

Fig: Hlookup function in Excel

Here, H23 has the lookup value, i.e., Jenson, G1:M5 is the table array, 4 is the row
index number, 0 is for an approximate match.

Once you hit enter, it will return “New York”.

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22. IF Formula

The IF() function checks a given condition and returns a particular value if it is TRUE. It
will return another value if the condition is FALSE.

In the below example, we want to check if the value in cell A2 is greater than 5. If it’s
greater than 5, the function will return “Yes 4 is greater”, else it will return “No”.

Fig: If function in Excel

In this case, it will return ‘No’ since 4 is not greater than 5.

‘IFERROR’ is another function that is popularly used. This function returns a value if an
expression evaluates to an error, or else it will return the value of the expression.

Suppose you want to divide 10 by 0. This is an invalid expression, as you can’t divide a
number by zero. It will result in an error.
The above function will return “Cannot divide”.

23. INDEX-MATCH

The INDEX-MATCH function is used to return a value in a column to the left. With
VLOOKUP, you're stuck returning an appraisal from a column to the right. Another
reason to use index-match instead of VLOOKUP is that VLOOKUP needs more
processing power from Excel. This is because it needs to evaluate the entire table array
which you've selected. With INDEX-MATCH, Excel only has to consider the lookup
column and the return column.

Using the below table, let’s see how you can find the city where Jenson resides.

Fig: Index-Match function in Excel

Now, let’s find the department of Zampa.

24. COUNTIF

The function COUNTIF() is used to count the total number of cells within a range that
meet the given condition.

Below is a coronavirus sample dataset with information regarding the coronavirus cases
and deaths in each country and region.

Let’s find the number of times Afghanistan is present in the table.

Fig: Countif function in Excel
The COUNTIFS function counts the number of cells specified by a given set of
conditions.

If you want to count the number of days in which the cases in India have been greater
than 100. Here is how you can use the COUNTIFS function.

25. SUMIF

The SUMIF() function adds the cells specified by a given condition or criteria.

Below is the coronavirus dataset using which we will find the total number of cases in
India till 3rd Jun 2020. (Our dataset has information from 31st Dec 2020 to 3rd Jun
2020).
Fig: Sumif function in Excel
The SUMIFS() function adds the cells specified by a given set of conditions or criteria.

Let’s find the total cases in France on those days when the deaths have been less than
100.

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26. Goal Seek

Goal Seek is a function in-built in Advanced Excel Functions that allows you to get the
desired output by changing the assumptions. The process is dependent on the trial and
error method to achieve the desired result.

Let’s look at an example to understand it better.

Example

In this example, we aim to find what will be the rate of interest if the person wants to
pay

$5000 per month to settle the loan amount.

PMT function is used when you want to calculate the monthly payment you need to pay
to settle the loan amount.

Let’s go through this problem in steps to see how we can calculate the interest rate that
will settle a loan of $400,000 by $5,000 a month payment.

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 PMT formula should now be entered in the cell that is the Payment cell adjacent. Currently,
there is no value in the rate of interest cell, Excel gives us the payment of $3,333.33 because
it assumes the rate of interest to be 0%. Ignore it.
 Go to Data > What - If Analysis > Goal Seek

 Set the monthly payment to -5,000. The deduction in amount signifies the negative value.

Set rate of interest as the changing cell.

 Click OK. You will see the goal seek function automatically gives the interest rate that is
required to pay the loan amount.
Go to Home > Number and change the value to Percentage.

Your outcome will look like below:

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27. What-If Analysis with Solver

What-If Analysis is the method of changing the values to try out different scenarios for
formulas in Advanced excel.

Several different sets of values can be used in one or multiple of these Advanced excel
formulas to explore the different results.

A solver is ideal for what-if analysis. It is an add-in program in Microsoft Excel and is
helpful on many levels. The feature can be used to identify an optimal value for a
formula in the cell known as the objective cell. Some constraints or limits are however
applicable on other formula cell values on a worksheet.

Solver works with decision variables which are a group of cells used in computing the
formulas in the objective and constraint cells. The solver adjusts the value of decision
variable cells to work on the limits on constraint cells. This process aids in determining
the desired result for the objective cell.

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Activating Solver Add-in

 On the File tab, click Options.

 Go to Add-ins, select Solver Add-in, and click on the Go button.

 Check Solver Add-in and click OK.
 In the Data tab, in the Analyze group, you can see the Solver option is added.
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How to Use Solver in Excel

In this example, we will try to find the solution for a simple optimization problem.

Problem: Suppose you are the business owner and you want your income to be $8000.

Goal: Calculate the units to be sold and price per unit to achieve the target.

For example, we have created the following model:

 On the Data tab, in the Analysis group, click the Solver button.

 In the set objective, select the income cell and set its value to $8000.

 To Change the variable cell, select the C5, C6, and C10 cells.
 Click Solve.

Your data model will change according to the conditions.

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28. If-Else

IF function is used to test the condition and return a value if the condition is indeed true
and a predetermined different value if it turns out to be false.

If-Else =IF(test, true result, false result)

29. If-Error

The Excel IFERROR function returns an alternative result when a formula generates an
error and an expected result when no error is detected.

If-Error =IFERROR (value, value_if_error)

For example, Excel returns a divide by zero error when a formula tries to divide a
number by 0.

By using the IFERROR function, you can add a message if the formula evaluates to an
error.

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30. Index and Match

This is an Advanced Excel function. MATCH function is designed to return the position
of a value in a specified range, while the INDEX function returns a specific value
present in a uni-dimensional range.
The MATCH function returns the position of the ID you are looking for. The INDEX
function will return the value of the salary corresponding to the position.

31. Offset Function

The OFFSET function returns a reference to a range of cells that is a specified number
of rows and columns from a cell or range of cells.

Offset Function =OFFSET(reference, rows, cols, [height], [width])

Example:

Consider the following data:

To reference C4 starting at A1, reference is A1, rows is 3 and cols is 2:

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SUM Function With OFFSET

In this example we have a monthly sales data of two years. The goal is to find the sum
of sales for a specific month.

The OFFSET function returns a 1x2 range, 8 rows below cell A2, and 1 column right of
cell A2. The SUM function then calculates the sum of this range.

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