Difference Between Functions and Formulas: A function is a pre-defined operation, developed by Microsoft Corporation in an Excel application. The formula is similar to a simple calculation, which is defined according to the user’s need and desire.

Difference Between Functions and formulas in Excel:
S. No. | Function | Formula |
---|---|---|
1. | It is a pre-defined (built-in) operation used for certain calculations in a certain order. | It is a user-defined operation used for manual calculation in any order. |
2. | functions are used to perform complex calculations that cannot be done manually by the user. | Formulas are used to perform simple calculations that can be done manually by the user. |
3. | Functions are expressions that operate on small and large values in a range of cells. | Formula is used for quick tasks such as finding the sum, count, average, minimum, maximum, etc. values in a range of cells. |
4. | A function can be a formula. | Formula can’t be a function. |
A function starts with an equal sign. | You must begin the formula with an equal sign. | |
5. | Eg: =sum(b2:d4). | Eg: =20+60+40/60 (or), =sum(b2:d4)*256%. |
6. | Functions can be updated by the developer. | Formulas are like general calculations, so you can use as per your requirement. |
7. | You can either combine formulas in the functions or functions in the formulas for calculations. But it is also treated as a formula (Not a function). | You can either combine formulas in the functions or functions in the formulas for calculations and it is treated as a formula. |
Example for Difference Between Formulas vs Functions in MS-Excel:
Excel allows you to use functions and / or formulas to manipulate specific data as desired by the user as example in the screenshot below.
A list of Examples for Functions in Functions vs Formulas:
Sum, Average, Count, Counta, Countblank, Sumif, Sumifs, Sumproduct, Countif, Countifs, Averageif, Averageifs, Datedif, Vlookup, Hlookup, Xlookup, PMT, PPMT, PMT, Index, Match, Concatenate, If, Time, Date, Text, Yield, XMATCH, Subtotal, and so on.
Function:
How to use functions in excel:
- To use any function in Excel, first, you may start with an equal sign, or directly use the insert function command
- After that, you should follow the instruction provided in the syntax
- The syntax is showing starts when we complete typing the function name after an equal sign, or after inserting the function using the insert function option.
A list of Examples for Formulae in Difference Between Functions and Formulas in Excel:
- =a1+b1+c1+f5+ss3+hj+s56
- =sum(a2:h12)*16/3
- =15554*6+455/3
- =max(d23:h12)/3
- =54*545/5
- =25+65+89-155*58/555
- =5624/3
- =200+600+600
- =100-652
- =458*6.
Formula:
A Combination Of Function/s and Formula/s:
A combination of both Formulas and functions can be useful in complex situations such as calculating mortgage payments, solving engineering or mathematical problems, and creating financial models.
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FAQ on Functions vs Formulas:
What is the difference between function and formula in Excel?
The function is a pre-defined operation that means it already exists and were developed by Microsoft Corporation as a part of an Excel Application. Whereas Formula is a user-defined operation that means it is like a general calculation doing by the wish of the user.
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