In the process of calculations, MS Excel uses various formulas, where the argument can be a constant, a cell reference, or the name of a range of cells. MS Excel provides many built-in functions into which these formulas are already embedded. The values to which the function should be applied are specified as the function’s arguments:
=FUNCTION_NAME(Arguments)
There are no restrictions on formulas containing functions compared to other formulas, including copying them (taking into account the type of reference — relative or absolute).
A full list of Excel functions can be found on the Formulas tab in the Function Library group of commands. Alternatively, by clicking the Insert Function button in this group, you open the Function Wizard, where you can also select the required function and obtain relevant help information.
In general, formulas may include various references, operators, and functions. It is possible to specify ranges from other worksheets and workbooks as arguments:
=SUM(C7:C9, Sheet3!D8:D15, [Workbook1]Sheet5!$E$8:$E$23)
When specifying a range of cells as an argument, you can move the Function Wizard window (if it blocks your view) and select the required range with the mouse.
When indicating a range of cells as an argument, both contiguous and noncontiguous ranges can be used. The address of a contiguous range is specified by indicating the first and last cells separated by a colon. Three or more noncontiguous ranges are separated by semicolons.
Sometimes a function itself serves as an argument for another function. Such functions are called nested functions. For example:
=SUM(A1, SUM(A5,A6))
MS Excel allows up to 64 levels of function nesting in worksheet formulas.