Functions Functions seem to be the workhorse of Excel for me. I have included additional formulas on this page.
Formula to include a current date on the spreadsheet I use the following formula to include a date on many spreadsheets. It is updated each time the spreadsheet is opened. The simplest formula is: =NOW() If you want to customize the date you can use the following: =TEXT(NOW(),"MMM D, YYYY") or =TEXT(NOW(),"MMMM D, YYYY") The first of the previous two formulas creates a three character abreviated month and the second gives the month in full. If you want to include text in a heading try this formula: ="YourTextHere "&TEXT(NOW(),"MMM D, YYYY")
Find the maximum value in a string of numbers As an example, you have a column of ten numbers in column A. In any open cell, type: =MAX(A1:A10) Press enter and the largest number from the column should appear.
Find the minimum value in a string of numbers Instead of the maximum value, this will find the minimum value. In any open cell, type: =MIN(A1:A10) Press enter and the lowest number from the column should appear.
Extract a first name from a text string containing first and last names Example, column A contains first and last names of clients. Cell A1 contains the name Ed Smith. Cells A2 through A10 contain other names. In cell B1 (or any other cell that is open), type: =LEFT(A1,FIND(" ",A1)-1) Enter. The text Ed should now appear in cell B1. Copy the formula down from cell A1 through A10.