Did you know that Microsoft Excel has been around since 1985? Since its introduction Excel has changed the way that we interact with spreadsheets. It’s made it easier to stay organized we going through complex data sets.
Sadly, there’s no way that Excel has a function for every set of calculations that you need to perform. The good news is that the designers of Excel anticipated this. That’s why they gave users the ability to create and add custom functions to the program.
If you want to more about adding functions to Excel through code, then you’re in the right place. In this article, we’ll briefly go over everything that you need to know. Let’s get started!
Know the Function Rules
Custom functions need to be made using a VBA language, or Visual Basic for Applications. Instead of a Sub statement, you will need a Function statement. To begin adding a function you will begin with a Function statement and close with an End Function statement.
In addition to this function name, you will also need one or more arguments. A function procedure must contain one or more VBA statements. These VBA statements are responsible for making any decisions or calculations put forth by your argument.
Finally, the last thing that you need to add is a value to the variable that has the same name s your function. From there, the value is returned to the function.
Popular Types of Functions
Now that we know how to add functions you might be wondering which types are right for you. Ultimately, this depends on your needs. However, here are some popular ones:
- FILTER – filters an array based on your specifications
- RANDARRAY – generates a list of random numbers in an array
- SEQUENCE – generate a list of sequential numbers in an array
- SORT – arranges an array in ascending or descending order
Download an API
If you want to make your life easier, then we recommend downloading a good API, or application programming interface. This type of software allows programmers to directly access computer programs. However, how do you pick the right API?
We recommend IronXL. They have an excellent C# Excel library that allows you to add functions without the Office Interlop hassle. Plus, it’s easy to use and fast. As such, it’s great for new programmers who need more help adding functions to Excel with code.
Want More Content? Keep Reading
We hope this article helped you learn more about adding functions to Excel using your code. As you can see, there’s no limit to the types of functions that you can add to Excel. All you need is the right API and the proper know-how.
So, get out there today and start experimenting to making handling the data in your life easier. Did you enjoy this article? If the answer is yes, then you’re in the right place. Keep exploring to find more content that you’re sure to love.
