What is a Function?

An Excel function is an in-built formula that runs specific calculations.

For the Excel function to work, you need to provide it with values in the order it understands. This means following the right syntax.

Sum Function Example

The SUM function is programmed to add values from cells & ranges.

The suggestions you see inside the brackets when you type in a function is to help you understand what the function needs so it can process correctly.

These are called arguments and they are separated by either the comma (,) or the semi-colon (;).

Which one applies to you depends on your regional windows setting.

Excel Automatically Translates Functions & Regional Settings

Assume you have an English version of Excel. Your Excel argument separator is a comma. You create a spreadsheet with many formulas.

You then send this to your colleague located in Germany. When they open the file, they will see the German version of the formulas and the argument separator is automatically adjusted to a semi-colon.

In English the formula looks like this:

= SUM(A1:A2,B1:B2)

In German it will look like this:

=SUMME(A1:A2;B1:B2)