The following information details what a Microsoft Excel function is and how it can be used:

Functions consist of a name followed by one or more arguments in parentheses. Arguments are usually numbers, cell references, or fields, but they may also be text. If a function has more than one argument, each one will be separated by a comma. The order in which the arguments appear is known as syntax.

For example, the function =SUM(235,457,839) applies the SUM function to the arguments in parentheses. This function would find the total, or sum, of the values 235, 457, and 839.

Functions often include references to ranges of cells, called range references. A range reference consists of two cell references separated by a colon, such as C3:G18. C3 is the upper-left cell in the range, and G18 is the lower-right cell in the range. A range reference includes all the cells between the two cell references.

The Microsoft Web site provides useful information on all areas of Excel.

This portion of the Microsoft site details commonly used Excel formulas.