Top 5 Excel functions beginners must know: SUM, AVERAGE, IF, VLOOKUP, XLOOKUP. Simple examples for freshers and analysts.

 

Introduction

Microsoft Excel is one of the most powerful tools for managing and analyzing data. Whether you are a student, a fresher, or a professional, knowing the right Excel functions can save you hours of work. In this blog, I’ll share the top 5 Excel functions that are easy to learn and extremely useful for beginners.

1. SUM() – Adding Numbers Quickly

The SUM function is the fastest way to add numbers in Excel.
Example:

=SUM(A1:A10) will add all values from cell A1 to A10.

When to use: Calculating total sales, expenses, or marks.

2. AVERAGE() – Finding the Mean
The AVERAGE function calculates the average of a range of numbers.
Example:

=AVERAGE(B1:B10) finds the average value from B1 to B10.

When to use: Finding average marks, monthly expenses, or performance scores.

3. IF() – Making Decisions
The IF function checks a condition and returns one result if TRUE and another if FALSE.
Example:

=IF(C2>=50, "Pass", "Fail") will check if a student’s marks are 50 or above.

When to use: Passing/Failing grades, Yes/No decisions.

4. VLOOKUP() – Searching for Data
VLOOKUP is used to search for a value in a table and return related information.
Example:

=VLOOKUP(101, A2:D10, 2, FALSE) finds the value 101 in the first column and returns data from the second column.

When to use: Finding prices, employee details, or product IDs.

5. CONCATENATE() / CONCAT() – Joining Text
This function joins text from different cells into one cell.
Example:

=CONCAT(A2, " ", B2) combines first name and last name with a space.

When to use: Creating full names, addresses, or custom labels.

Conclusion
Learning these 5 functions will give you a strong foundation in Excel. Practice them regularly, and you’ll soon be able to handle more advanced formulas. Remember — Excel is like a muscle: the more you use it, the stronger you get