Compatibility Functions

Generally, the usefulness of a function is a measure of how commonly it is used and how handy it is. Many functions are "must know" functions for even the most novice Excel user. For example, the SUM function.

These usefulness ratings are solely the subjective opinion of the authors and are intended to be a general guide for you. Depending on what you use Excel for, you may find even the most obscure functions highly useful to you.

Generally, a powerful function performs a task that would otherwise be difficult to do manually and generally saves a lot of time and effort. Powerful functions can be simple, like RIGHT or more complex, like VLOOKUP.

These power ratings are solely the subjective opinion of the authors and are intended to be a general guide for you. Depending on what you use Excel for, you may find even the most obscure functions highly useful to you.

Generally, the complexity of a function is a measure of both using and understanding the functions. Some functions require many arguments or take optional arguments that can signficantly effect how the calculation that a function performs. With more required and optional arguments, a function tends to be more difficult to enter properly. For example, the AMORDEGRC function.

These complexity ratings are solely the subjective opinion of the authors and are intended to be a general guide for you. Depending on what you use Excel for, you may find even the most obscure functions highly useful to you.