How to Use Nested Functions in Excel
Functions in Microsoft Excel use inputs, which are called arguments, to calculate values, usually referred to as results. The result of a function can be used as the argument for another function. When this occurs, the functions are said to be "nested." Each function could be written in a separate cell, which can then be referenced, but it takes less space and creates less clutter and confusion to combine all of those functions into one nested function. Excel allows seven levels of nesting for its functions.
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Instructions
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Write out the functions you wish to use on a piece of paper. This can help visualize which results are needed to fill in which arguments. It also helps to draw arrows from functions representing results to functions needing that result as an argument. Example:
=ATAN(a); "a" is an argument
=SUM(A1:A5); yields a result that can represent "a" -
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Write out the complete nested function. You can type it directly into a cell, but it will be easier to edit if you write it out on a sheet of paper first. Example:
=ATAN(SUM(A1:A5)) -
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Double check your function. Pay very close attention to commas which are needed to separate arguments and parentheses which are used as grouping symbols.
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Type the corrected nested formula into a cell.
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