The Most Useful Function in Excel, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the function you think is the most useful!

Updated on Apr 22, 2024 07:56

In the bustling world of office work, the ability to swiftly analyze data can distinguish between a good day and a chaotic one. Excel functions act like those secret codes that, once mastered, transform lengthy tasks into a few clicks. This wonder-tool's functions save time, but which ones are the lifesavers? That's a question often debated among seasoned users and beginners alike. Here, you get to voice your opinion. Every vote helps shape a dynamic list of the most treasured Excel aids, curated by none other than the diverse experiences of users worldwide. Whether it’s for organizing large datasets or making sense of financial records, your input helps pinpoint the most valuable tools and perhaps reveal a few hidden gems.

What Is the Most Useful Function in Excel?

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50
votes
Linas · CC BY-SA 3.0

SUM Function

Microsoft

The SUM function is one of the most commonly used functions in Excel, allowing users to quickly sum up a range of cells. This function is useful when working with large amounts of data that require calculations. [
The SUM function in Excel is a mathematical function that adds up any number of cells or ranges of cells.

Function category: Math and trigonometry

Arguments: Up to 255 arguments

Data types: Numbers, or arrays or references that contain numbers

Return value: Sum of the given numbers

Error values: #VALUE! when non-numeric data is included as an argument
2

25
votes
IF Function

Microsoft

The IF function is used to test a condition and return one value if the condition is true and another value if the condition is false. This function is useful when creating logical statements that determine the outcome of a calculation. [
The IF function is a logical function in Microsoft Excel that allows you to perform a conditional test and return different values based on the result of the test.

Function name: IF

Syntax: IF(logical_test, value_if_true, value_if_false)

Logical_test: An expression or value that can be true or false.

Value_if_true: The value that will be returned if the logical_test is true.

Value_if_false: The value that will be returned if the logical_test is false.
3

14
votes
VLOOKUP Function

Microsoft

The VLOOKUP function is used to search for a specific value in a table and return a corresponding value from another column in the same row. This function is useful for data analysis and when working with large datasets. [
The VLOOKUP function is a powerful tool in Excel that allows users to search for a specific value in a vertical set of data and retrieve corresponding information from a different column within the same row. It is commonly used to perform exact or approximate matches in large datasets.

Function category: Lookup and reference

Syntax: VLOOKUP(lookup_value, table_array, col_index_num, [range_lookup])

Lookup_value: The value to be searched for

Table_array: The range of cells where the lookup value and result columns are located

Col_index_num: The column number (starting from 1) from which the result is retrieved
4

20
votes
INDEX Function

Microsoft Corporation

The INDEX function is used to retrieve a specific value from a table by specifying the row and column numbers. This function is useful when working with large datasets and when retrieving specific values from a table. [
The INDEX function in Excel is used to retrieve a value from a specified range of cells based on its row and column numbers. It is commonly used to extract data from large datasets or to create flexible formulas.

Function Category: Lookup & Reference

Syntax: INDEX(array, row_num, [column_num])

Array: The range of cells from which to retrieve the value.

Row_num: The row number within the array where the value is located.

Column_num: Optional - the column number within the array where the value is located. If omitted, the entire row is returned.
5

17
votes
COUNT Function

Microsoft

The COUNT function is used to count the number of cells in a range that contain a number or a value. This function is useful when working with large datasets and when counting the occurrence of a specific value. [
The COUNT function in Excel is used to count the number of cells in a range that contains numeric values.

Syntax: COUNT(value1, [value2], ...)

Returns: A numeric value representing the count of cells containing numeric values.

Value1, Value2, ...: The values or cells to count.

Specified Range: The range of cells to count.

Non-numeric values: Text, logical values, and empty cells are not counted.
6

8
votes
AVERAGE Function

Microsoft

The AVERAGE function is used to calculate the average of a range of cells. This function is useful when working with large datasets and when calculating the mean value of a set of numbers. [
The AVERAGE function in Excel calculates the arithmetic mean of a range of numbers. It adds up all the numbers in the specified range and divides the sum by the count of numbers in that range.

Function syntax: AVERAGE(number1, [number2], ...)

Args: number1, number2, ...: The numbers or cell references representing the range of values to be averaged

Return value: The average value of the specified range

Compatible data types: Numbers, cell references to numeric values

Number of arguments: Up to 255 numbers or ranges
7

10
votes
CONCATENATE Function

Microsoft Corporation

The CONCATENATE function is used to join two or more text strings into one string. This function is useful when working with text data and when combining multiple cells into one. [
The CONCATENATE function in Excel is used to join together multiple text strings into one continuous string. It is widely used for combining cell contents, creating custom labels or messages, and generating dynamic formulas or SQL queries.

Function Category: Text Function

Syntax: CONCATENATE(text1, [text2], ...)

Supported Excel Versions: Excel 2000 and later versions

Number of Arguments: Up to 255 text arguments

Return Type: Text
8

13
votes
ROUND Function

Microsoft

The ROUND function is used to round a number to a specified number of decimal places. This function is useful when working with large datasets and when rounding numbers to a specific precision. [
The ROUND function is a mathematical function in Excel that allows users to round a number to a specified number of decimal places or to the nearest whole number. It is commonly used to simplify and format numerical data.

Function Category: Math and Trigonometry

Syntax: ROUND(number, num_digits)

number: A positive or negative number to be rounded.

num_digits: The number of digits to which the number should be rounded. It can be a positive number (rounds to the specified number of decimal places) or a negative number (rounds to the left of the decimal point).

Rounding Rules: The ROUND function uses the standard rounding rules: if the fractional part is exactly halfway between two numbers, it will round to the nearest even number.
9

7
votes
MAX Function

Microsoft

The MAX function is used to return the highest value in a range of cells. This function is useful when working with large datasets and when finding the maximum value in a set of numbers. [
The MAX Function in Excel allows users to find and return the largest value from a range of numbers or an array of values.

Function Category: Statistical

Syntax: MAX(number1, [number2], ...)

Number of Arguments: 1 to 255

Return Value: Largest value in the given range

Data Types: Numeric
10

2
votes
MIN Function

Microsoft

The MIN function is used to return the lowest value in a range of cells. This function is useful when working with large datasets and when finding the minimum value in a set of numbers. [
The MIN function in Excel is used to find the smallest value in a range of cells or an array. It returns the minimum value from that range or array.

Function category: Statistical

Syntax: MIN(number1, [number2], ...)

Arguments: Minimum of 1 number and a maximum of 255 numbers

Data types: Numeric values, including numbers, cell references, or ranges of cells

Behavior: Ignores logical values and text, evaluates empty cells as zero

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Ranking factors for useful function

Versatility

The function should have multiple applications and be useful in a variety of scenarios.
Efficiency

The function should be able to help users quickly obtain important information that would otherwise be time-consuming to gather manually.
Intuitiveness

The function should be easy to use, even for those with limited Excel experience.
Accuracy

The function should provide accurate results consistently.
Frequency of use

The function should be used frequently across different industries and job functions.
Compatibility

The function should be compatible with other functions, making it easier for users to combine multiple functions for a desired outcome.
Accessibility

The function should be easily accessible through Excel's interface and available for use by users of all skill levels.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most useful function in Excel. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or function is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

1734 views
167 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each function once every 24 hours. The rank of each function is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most useful function in excel

Microsoft Excel is one of the most widely used software applications in the world, with millions of users relying on it for everything from simple data entry to complex financial analysis. The program is renowned for its powerful features and flexibility, allowing users to perform a wide range of calculations, create charts and graphs, and organize and manage data in a variety of ways. One of Excel's most useful functions is its ability to perform complex calculations quickly and accurately, making it an indispensable tool for anyone who needs to work with large amounts of data. Whether you're a business analyst, a financial planner, or simply someone who needs to keep track of numbers, Excel's many functions can help you get the job done efficiently and effectively.