A formula consists of a combination of grid references, mathematical functions, and arithmetic operators. A grid reference uses values from the current grid or another grid in a calculation. You can define arithmetic formulas on formula rows, columns, cells, or a range of formula cells in a grid. For example, you might want to build a formula that adds one or more rows. Or, you might want to multiply two rows, add a third row, then display the result. For a list of mathematical functions you can use in formulas, see Mathematical Functions.
When defining formula rows or columns, keep in mind the following points:
Formula results are calculated based on the underlying data values in one or more specified cells. If cells used in a formula are formatted to use scaling, the formula results may differ from the displayed values for the cells, since the underlying, unformatted data values are used in the formula.
By default, cells that contain missing data (#MISSING) are not treated as zero (0) in formulas, unless specified differently using the IfNonNumber property. In a formula that uses division, an ERROR is returned.
To specify mathematical properties, you can use dot notation. Dot notation is a syntax that specifies properties for a grid or another property. You specify a property using a period ( . ) followed by the property name.
gridname.row\column[x].property
The name of the grid. Grid names cannot include spaces. For more information on grid references, see Mathematical Functions. | |
For example, mygrid1.row[3].sum adds all elements in row 3 of mygrid1.
This example returns the sum of the nth column:
mygrid2.column[C].sum
You can omit references to the current grid, row, column, or cell. The following example returns the absolute value of the cell located at the intersection of row 5 and column B in the current grid:
ABS([5,B])
To define formula rows or columns:
Select Insert, then Row, and then Formula or Insert, then Column, and then Formula.
Select the formula row or column, or a range of formula cells.
In the drop-down menu from the formula bar, select a function. For a list of mathematical functions, see Mathematical Functions.
Insert your cursor in the formula text box and enter the rest of the formula.
Repeat steps 4 through 6 as necessary to build your formula.
Select File, and then Print Preview to see the results of your formula.