Knowledge and Techniques of
Data Input in Excel (15)
I believe that you should still remember how to calculate the total, average, maximum and minimum values in Excel. But other than calculating them by formulas, do we have any other handy way to do so?
The answer is yes if we know how to operate with the "Automatic Calculation" area introduced in this episode.
The "Automatic Calculation" area is found in the status bar at the bottom of the Excel window.
If we move the mouse pointer to the above circled area and right click it once, a pop-up menu with several calculation functions will be displayed.
The table below shows the purpose of each function:
* Average: Calculate the average of all values in the selected range of cells.
* Count: Count the total number of filled cells in the selected range of cells.
* Count Nums: Count the total number of cells containing numbers in the selected range of cells.
* Max: Find out the largest value in the selected range of cells.
* Min: Find out the smallest value in the selected range of cells.
* Sum: Calculate the grand total of all values in the selected range of cells.
Example 1
Suppose we want to calculate the total number of criminal cases in 2002.
1.Since "Sum" is the default operation of the "Automatic Calculation" function, the result will be displayed immediately after we have selected the range B2:B5.
Example 2
Suppose we want to calculate the average occurrence of Homicide between 2002 and 2004.
1.Select the range B2:D2.
2.Move your mouse pointer to the "Automatic Calculation" area and right click it once.
3.Select the "Average" option.
4.The following result will be displayed.
In conclusion, the "Automatic Calculation" function is very simple and easy to use. Let's try it out.
The next topic will be even more interesting. So look out for it!
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* None: Switch off the "Automatic Calculation" function.
Now, let me illustrate with two examples to help you understand better how to operate with the "Automatic Calculation" area.
