Top Functions Every User Needs

Math and Counting

=SUM(A1:A10)          total
=AVERAGE(B1:B10)      mean
=MIN(C1:C10)          smallest
=MAX(C1:C10)          largest
=COUNT(D1:D10)        how many numbers
=COUNTA(E1:E10)       how many non-empty cells

IF - Make Decisions

=IF(F1>1000, "Bonus", "No bonus")

Nest IFs for multiple conditions, or better use IFS: =IFS(score>90,"A",score>75,"B",TRUE,"C").

Lookups - Find a Value

=VLOOKUP(D2, A:B, 2, FALSE)      # classic exact match (column B)
=XLOOKUP(D2, A:A, B:B, "Not found")  # modern, friendlier

XLOOKUP needs no column number, no sorted data, and handles left-lookups - use it if your Excel is 2021+.

Text and Dates

=CONCAT(A1," - ",B1)    # join text (or &)
=UPPER(A1) =LOWER(A1)
=LEFT(A1,3) =RIGHT(A1,2) =MID(A1,5,4)
=TRIM(A1)               # remove extra spaces
=TEXT(TODAY(),"dd-mm-yyyy")

Error Handling

=IFERROR(B1/C1, 0)      # show 0 instead of #DIV/0!

Key Points

• SUM/AVERAGE/COUNT/IF cover most everyday needs.
• XLOOKUP replaces VLOOKUP when available - fewer traps.
• Wrap risky formulas in IFERROR to keep reports clean.