Formula basics

Before you can start with doing formulas you need to know a few basic concepts.

• Text in formulas: When referring to text in formulas (normally in logical formulas) then you have to put the text in inverted commas. Excel does not know what your text means so you should tell excel it is text by putting it in inverted commas.
• Spaces in formulas: When referring to spaces in formulas (normally in logical formulas) it works the same as text. You have to put this in inverted commas, otherwise excel does not know what you are referring to.
• Blanks in formulas: When referring to blanks in formulas (normally in logical formulas) the this be two inverted commas next to each other with nothing in it (“”)
• Brackets in formulas: If you are not an advance user yet, then make sure of your brackets. You formulas will not work if brackets are inserted in the wrong places.

Types of errors

There are four main errors experienced in excel.

• #N/A = These are normally found with vlookups. When you see this error then your formula does not find any result. For example a vlookup does not find any match to what you are looking for.
• #DIV/0! = You will find this error if try and divide a number by zero, which is not possible.
• #REF! = This error is normally given if the error does not find the cell or range which you are referring to in your formula. For example if your formula links to column A and you then delete column A, then the #REF! will be given.
• Circular references = This is when you are trying to calculate a formula which is impossible. For example your total wants to sum two cells and the cell where the total is calculated which cannot be done. Normally you will not be able to calculate any other formula until the circular reference is solved.

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