Like traditional spreadsheet software, Spreadsheet.com allows you to use formulas in cells to display values.

By default, worksheets show a formula bar where you can go to view, input, and edit formulas.

Spreadsheet.com includes many of the functions you are already familiar with, mathematical ones like addition (+), SUM, or ODD; logic ones like IF, AND; Text ones like CONCATENATE; Lookup functions like VLOOKUP, INDEX, MATCH; Financial functions like IRR, NOMINAL; and many more. But also, Spreadsheet.com features unique functions custom-tailored to our data types, like PARENTCELL for cell hierarchies and COUNT computations for Related rows.

Create and edit functions for worksheets where you are budgeting, like estimating project costs, opportunity estimates in a CRM, or for managing your company's inventory. Or create formulas to handle data in unique ways, for instance, to determine the number of stars in a rating cell or to assign users with formulas.

How to Add a Formula to a Cell

To add a formula to a cell, first, click on the desired cell, and then start by typing the = sign. The = sign is an indication that you are about to type in a formula. Next, begin typing your formula, including functions and cell references as necessary. With a cell selected, you can also type formulas directly into the formula bar.

Named ranges can take the place of some cell references. To learn more, see our article on Named Ranges.

Functions

A named function is a fixed formula that performs a specific calculation. For instance, the function SUM() returns the mathematical sum of all values put inside the parenthesis. =SUM(2,4) would return 6. Spreadsheet.com includes functions that you may be familiar with from other spreadsheet software, and a few new functions specific to Spreadsheet.com's unique functionality.

See our list of functions or our Function Reference section for more insight into specific functions.

Additionally, formulas can include basic mathematical functions and their symbols, like addition (+), subtraction (-), division (/), and multiplication (*).

Cell References

Formulas can have inputs that reference the values in specific cells. For instance, =SUM(A1,B1) would return the sum of the values currently in A1 and B1. In this way, A1 and B1 not only identify a specific cell but serve as references to the values in that cell.

If you change the values in those cells, for instance increasing the value in A1, then the result of your formula will also update.

Formula Bar

The formula bar allows you to easily add and edit existing formulas. To access the formula bar, click on the desired cell and then click on the formula bar at the top. From here you can click and edit the formula as desired.

Using the formula bar can be especially helpful for trying to identify errors or correct mistakes in a formula.

Formulas and Data Types

Formulas can also be used in cells, ranges of cells, or columns that are set to unique Spreadsheet data types. For instance, in a Date column, you can use functions to edit the date values that are returned by using date functions like TODAY() or other mathematical or text functions like MAX() to return specific dates.

Learn more about Spreadsheet.com's array of different data types in our Data Types section.

Number data types can be used in formulas and are often the default data type for formula cells. However, other digit data types can both be used in formulas or can have formulas calculate their output, such as Percent, Date, Duration, and others. Other pseudo-numeric data types like Rating or some Icon sets may display as an icon, but contain values behind them that can be referenced in formulas or can use formulas to determine their value.

For information about data types with unique relationships with formulas, see our articles on the Column Formula data type, Related Rows Lookups and Related Row Computations, and Formulas in Primary Columns. Or, take a look our articles on assigning users, attachments, and other ways to assign values using formulas.