The syntax of a function in Excel or Google Sheets refers to the layout and order of the function and its arguments. A function in Excel and Google Sheets is a built-in formula. All functions begin with an equal sign ( = ) followed by the name of the function, such as IF, SUM, COUNT, or ROUND. Using the correct syntax for functions in Excel or Google Sheets helps prevent errors.
Is it a comma, semicolon or backslash? – Syntax in Google Sheets and Excel
The arguments of a function refer to all the data or information that a function needs. These arguments must be entered in the correct order. As an example, the syntax of the IF function in Excel is:
In addition to the order of the arguments, the term syntax also refers to the placement of parentheses or round brackets around the arguments and to the use of the comma as a separator between individual arguments.
The IF function in Excel and Google Sheets has three arguments arranged in the following order:
