Excel Formulas - Announcing 3 Priceless Steps For Effective Writing

Sitting in front of your computer to write formulas in Microsoft Excel is an art. You can get the same result using different functions and logic.


So, there is no a straightforward step by step procedure you listen and follow in any given case.


Additionally...


The fact that you cannot understand errors while you write an Excel formula or ignoring what the reasons of a wrong output are; frustrates you.


If you write a formula before knowing some basic principles, you will keep struggling...


With time you develop your own strategies. Here, I will show you three simple tips you can implement right away in your spreadsheets...


Know in advance the syntax of the Excel function. You cannot guess in the middle of a jungle of parenthesis and commas; Excel doesn't wait you. Once you hit enter, the program runs the algorithm of the involved functions so you could get two things: 1) a wrong result or 2) a message that Excel is unable to process the formula due to lack/excess of inputs. Once you start writing a formula on the formula bar or cell, you must be sure what the arguments of the function are and where they are located in the sheet


Make mistakes before you release a formula. Why to be scary with a new formula? Making mistakes is the best way to gain confidence about how the functions work and also gives you the sense of trust when finishing a formula. I used to create test arguments (usually 1s and 0s) and then I run the formula with clearly expected results. It is easier then to feed the formula with real inputs and be sure of the result


Check the results by hand the first time you use the formula. This is a must since Excel does not show you the Math behind the function wizard. It is your responsibility to check that the formula makes the computations you expect. Do this check with the real-world formula (Math, Statistics, etc), parameter by parameter, you must get the same results. How to do it? Use a scientific calculator


Conclusion


The worst thing you can do is to use a function before knowing the arguments and testing them. You will suffer of three main problems: being prone to errors, inability to detect errors and lost confidence in the results of the formulas you write.