Apple numbers User Manual

 

 

This chapter tells you how to perform calculations in table 
cells using formulas and functions.

See Chapter 3, “Using Tables,” on page 44 for instructions for adding and formatting 
tables and data in them and Chapter 12, “Dictionary of Functions,” on page 193 for 
complete information about individual functions.

Using Formulas

A formula is a mathematical expression that uses operations to derive a value. You can 
add a formula to a table cell to display a value derived from values in other table cells. 

For example, you can add a formula to the bottom cell of a column that adds the 
numbers in all the other cells in the column. If any of the column values change, the 
total in the bottom cell changes automatically.

Formulas derive values by using operators and functions. 

 Operators perform operations such as addition (+) and multiplication (*).

Here’s a formula that adds values: =A2 + 16. A2 is called a cell reference; A2 refers to 
the second cell in the first column. The value 16 is called a constant, because it’s a 
specific value that uses no operators or functions.

The value in cell A2 is added to the value 16, and the result is displayed in the cell 
that contains the formula.

Formulas always begin with an equal sign (=). For simplicity, the examples 
throughout the Numbers documentation omit the equal sign.

 Functions are predefined, named operations, such as SUM and AVERAGE.

To use a function, you name the function and, in parentheses following the name, 
you provide the arguments it needs. Arguments specify the data the function will use 
when it performs its operations.