52 Enter Calc Functions

Computing totals is so common, Calc makes the Sum() function even easier to use by placing the Sum button on the Function toolbar. Just click a blank cell below or to the right of a range of values, click Sum , and Calc computes the sum and writes the proper Sum() function for you.

Before You Begin

51 About Calc Functions

See Also

53 Use the Function AutoPilot

You'll have to type the remaining functions yourself when you want to use them, but doing so is far from a chore. 51 About Calc Functions lists some of the most common functions you'll use. For the rest, use Calc's Help feature to find the function you want to use and then type that function and its arguments to get the result you want.

1. Enter a Range to Total
   
   Type the range of values you want to get a total of. The range can be a row or a column of numbers .
   
   
2. Select the Total Cell
   
   Click to select the cell that you want to hold the total.
   
   
3. Request the Sum
   
   Click the Function toolbar's Sum button. Calc analyzes the current cell and guesses at the row or column that is to comprise the sum. For example, Calc might highlight the column of cells above the current cell and indicate its range in the Sum() function.
   
   If the range is correct, press Enter to accept the sum; otherwise , type a different range inside the Sum() function's argument list and then press Enter . The sum then appears in the cell.
   
   

   NOTE

   

   As with formulas, you can select a cell containing a function and press F2 to change the function, its arguments, or a formula that uses the function.

4. Drag the Fill Handle to Extend the Total
   
   As with any other formula or cell label, you can drag the formula's fill handle, whose cell contains a function such as Sum() , to another cell to extend that formula.
   
   
5. Select a Range Before Summing
   
   Calc doesn't make you request one sum at a time. Just select all the cells at the end of a set of rows or columns before clicking Sum .
   
   
6. Request the Sum
   
   When you click the Sum button, Calc automatically sums the entire column or row you selected.
   
   
7. Compute the Average
   
   Although other functions aren't represented on the Function toolbar, you can easily type functions that you need. To get a yearly sales average, for example, you can type =Average(B19:F19) in cell B20 to learn your average projected sales over the next 5 years .