In the purest Excel style: this is how formulas are added in Numbers — 2022

What are Numbers formulas

Numbers is an ideal spreadsheet system to be able to carry out an analysis of a large amount of data. It gives the possibility to create formula cells to automatically perform calculations using the data of any group of cells that you may have in the spreadsheet. For example, you can compare the value of two cells, do an addition and even a multiplication. The result of the formula you have entered will be displayed in this same cell, without interfering with the rest of the data you have entered. In this sense, we are talking about the most basic function that this native program of the company has.

The most common formulas

There are many formulas that can be found in Numbers. Although, there are some that are basic and that you must know in order to master programming. In this sense, we are going to make different distinctions in order to recognize these formulas. It is important to note that on all computers all formulas must begin with the '=' sign. The most basic are arithmetic, of which we highlight the following:

sums. This formula allows you to add values ​​from different cells. For example: =SUM(A1:A22). It remains. In order to subtract, you simply need to place the subtraction symbol between two cells. For example: =A1-A2 multiplications. Between two cell values, you must enter a *. For example: =A1*A2. divisions. Between two cell values, you will need to enter '/'. For example: =A1/A2. MAX and MIN:From a set of data, the one that is greater and the one that is smaller will be chosen, in order to make an arithmetic mean. For example: ==MAX(A2:C8) / =MIN(A2,B4,C3,29)

Beyond the formulas focused on arithmetic, you can also find others that are much more general but that aim to deal with a large amount of data. In this sense, the following formulas should be highlighted:

=YES.ERROR: formula that will help avoid errors as it will always return a value when an operation has an error. = WILL COUNT. Another formula that, as its syntax indicates, will allow you to count values ​​that are not numbers, ignoring those empty cells. =COUNT.IF.As we have mentioned before, this is a function that will allow counting the different values ​​but fulfilling a condition. For example, containing a specific letter. =DAYSIf you have to perform date calculations, you know that they are not very easy to do. With this formula you can obtain the number of days that there is a difference between two dates in two cells. For example =DAYS (5/11/2018, B2).

How to add the formulas easily

Once you know the formulas that are most common, it's time to introduce them in Numbers. Keep in mind that even if you don't know the formula in detail, there are also ways to know them by using the guide that is integrated into Numbers. Below we explain how you can enter these formulas on both Mac and iPhone or iPad through the native application.

on Mac

In Apple computers is where you will use all these formulas in a more common way. This is basically because the input method on a laptop or desktop computer is more convenient. In this sense, these formulas can be entered by following these steps:

1. Click the cell where you want the result to appear.
2. Type the equal sign (=) to open the formula editor.
3. Choose those cells with the data you want to calculate in this case (you can also choose a full range).
4. Write the specific arithmetic operator that you want to introduce in the formula as we have commented previously.
5. Once you have completed all the information, you can click on the green button to display the corresponding result.

Source: Apple

In case you don't know the specific syntax, you can use the guide that is integrated in Numbers. In this case you can access it through the formula editor box. You will see that a 'fx' symbol on which you can click to access the entire list of formulas.

It must always be taken into account that the formulas will always carry out the operation automatically. By this we always mean that if the value of a cell changes, the operation will also be changed automatically without you having to make any changes to the formula syntax. In addition, Numbers itself will help while you are writing the formula, since when you put the first syntax after the '=' sign, a small guide will appear to know what data you can enter.

On iPad or iPhone

In the case of the iPad, the formulas can also be integrated in a very similar way to the Mac. In this case, you can also find more than 250 functions of statistics, engineering and finance. In order to include them in the spreadsheet document, simply follow these steps:

1. Tap the cell where you want the result to appear and scroll to the bottom of the screen and tap on the keyboard with a green background.
2. Tap on the two lines that appear at the top of the keyboard with a gray background to display the formula editor.

Source: Apple

Once you are in the formula editor, you can follow two paths. The first in which you know the formula you want to use and you simply have to enter it by choosing those cells where you want the data to be taken to perform the different calculations. The second case that can occur is that you do not know the syntax of the formula you need. In this case, you simply have to click on 'fx' to open the function explorer. Here you can browse the different categories of formulas choosing the one that best suits the operation you want to perform.

Likewise, you will be able to visualize how in the lower part you have different parts of arithmetic, such as the addition, division or subtraction sign. In this way it is always about having the most complete formula possible. Once you have finished, you simply have to click on the green button that you will have to the right of the formula introduction box.