What is the difference between a spreadsheet formula and a function?

What is the difference between a spreadsheet formula and a function?

• A. A formula cannot include references; a function cannot perform calculations.
• B. A formula is an expression created by the user; a function is a predefined operation like SUM() provided by the application.
• C. A formula is stored in the data area; a function is stored in the formatting area.
• D. A formula is a built-in operation; a function is an operand written by the user.

Answer: (B)

A formula is the expression you create to calculate a value, using numbers, operators, and cell references. A function is a built-in operation provided by the spreadsheet that you call by name with arguments, such as SUM(A1:A10) or AVERAGE(B1:B5). In other words, you write formulas yourself, and functions are ready-made calculations that the program offers. You can use functions inside larger formulas, but the core distinction is that a formula is user-made, whereas a function is a predefined operation supplied by the software.

A formula is the expression you create to calculate a value, using numbers, operators, and cell references. A function is a built-in operation provided by the spreadsheet that you call by name with arguments, such as SUM(A1:A10) or AVERAGE(B1:B5). In other words, you write formulas yourself, and functions are ready-made calculations that the program offers. You can use functions inside larger formulas, but the core distinction is that a formula is user-made, whereas a function is a predefined operation supplied by the software.