Excel 365: Build Formulas & Functions

Course description

Formulas and functions are the heart of Microsoft Excel 365, enabling users to perform calculations, analyze data, and automate processes with precision and efficiency. This course introduces learners to the structure and purpose of formulas and functions, beginning with the difference between manual formulas—created by the user with mathematical operators—and functions, which are built-in formula templates designed to perform specific tasks. Participants will explore the essential syntax of formulas, including the equal sign, operators, constants, and cell references, while also learning best practices such as using references instead of hard-coded numbers to maintain accuracy and dynamic updating. The course also explains the concept of calculation hierarchy through the order of operations (PEMDAS), showing learners how Excel prioritizes parentheses, exponents, multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction within formulas. With this foundation, students will learn how to create basic formulas for summation and other calculations, using both typed references and direct cell selection to build equations. The course then transitions to functions, breaking down their components—function name, parentheses, and arguments—while introducing essential functions such as SUM, AVERAGE, COUNT, MAX, and MIN. Learners will also discover how to use the AutoSum tool to quickly insert common functions and highlight the correct ranges for calculations, as well as how to apply formulas and functions consistently using the fill handle. By the end of this training, participants will be equipped with the knowledge and confidence to create accurate formulas, apply core functions, and begin building the foundation for more advanced Excel analysis.

Course outline