Excel Functions

Introduction to Excel Functions

Excel Functions are preprogrammed commands that make the task of writing complex formulas easier. There are a total of 333 functions in Excel. These functions are separated into 11 categories as follows:
1. Database Functions (12)
2. Date and Time Functions (20)
3. Engineering Functions (39)
4. Financial Functions (53)
5. Information Functions (17)
6. Logical Functions (6)
7. Lookup and Reference Functions (18)
8. Math and Trigonometry Functions (59)
9. Statistical Functions (80)
10. Text Functions (27)
11. External Functions (2)

Some Excel functions are more powerful than others and some are more relevant to the CPA than others. For example, most CPAs will find the IF, SUM, COUNT, SUBTOTAL, TEXT, and VLOOKUP are very relevant to the CPA while other engineering and trigonometry functions such as LOG, PI, RADIENS, DELTA, TAN, COMPLEX, and HAX2DEC are typically less relevant to CPAs. It has been my experience that the following 67 functions are most relevant to the CPA; therefore CPAs wishing to increase their command of Excel functions should concentrate on these functions first.

Carlton’s List of The Top 67 Functions Most Relevant to CPAs
Sorted By Carlton’s Opinion of the Most Useful