IBM Lotus Symphony
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This section contains descriptions of the Spreadsheet functions together with an example. The functions described below are: ADDRESS , AREAS, CHOOSE, COLUMN, COLUMNS, DDE , HLOOKUP, HYPERLINK, INDEX , INDEX2 , INDIRECT, SHEET , SHEETS, LOOKUP , MATCH , OFFSET, ROW, ROWS, STYLE, VLOOKUP, ERRORTYPE. See the following descriptions.
Returns a cell address (reference) as text, according to the specified row and column numbers. Optionally, you can determine whether the address is interpreted as an absolute address (for example, $A$1) or as a relative address (as A1) or in a mixed form (A$1 or $A1). You can also specify the name of the sheet.
For interoperability the ADDRESS and INDIRECT functions support an optional parameter to specify whether the R1C1 address notation instead of the usual A1 notation should be used.
In ADDRESS, the parameter is inserted as the fourth parameter, shifting the optional sheet name parameter to the fifth position.
In INDIRECT, the parameter is appended as the second parameter.
In both functions, if the argument is inserted with the value 0, then the R1C1 notation is used. If the argument is not given or has a value other than 0, then the A1 notation is used.
In case of R1C1 notation, ADDRESS returns address strings using the exclamation mark '!' as the sheet name separator, and INDIRECT expects the exclamation mark as sheet name separator. Both functions still use the dot '.' sheet name separator with A1 notation.
ADDRESS (row; column; abs; A1; sheet)
The row parameter represents the row number for the cell reference
The column parameter represents the column number for the cell reference (the number, not the letter)
The A1 parameter is optional. If this parameter is set to 0, the R1C1 notation is used. If it is absent or set to another value than 0, the A1 notation is used.
The sheet parameter represents the name of the sheet. It must be placed in double quotes.
ADDRESS(1; 1; 2; "Sheet2") returns the following: Sheet2.A$1
If the cell A1 in sheet 2 contains the value -6, you can refer indirectly to the referenced cell using a function in B2 by entering =ABS(INDIRECT(B2)). The result is the absolute value of the cell reference specified in B2, which in this case is 6.
See also the following functions:
Returns the number of individual ranges that belong to a multiple range. A range can consist of contiguous cells or a single cell.
AREAS(Reference)
Reference represents the reference to a cell or cell range.
=AREAS(A1:B3~F2~G1) returns 3, as it is a reference to three cells and/or areas.
See also the following functions:
Returns the result of a DDE-based link. If the contents of the linked range or section changes, the returned value will also change. You must reload the spreadsheet or choose Edit - Links to see the updated links. Cross-platform links, for example from a IBM® Lotus® Symphony™ installation running on a Windows machine to a document created on a Linux machine, are not allowed.
DDE(server;file;range;mode)
Server is the name of a server application. Lotus Symphony applications have the server name "soffice".
File is the complete file name, including path specification.
Range is the area containing the data to be evaluated.
Mode is an optional parameter that controls the method by which the DDE server converts its data into numbers.
Mode | Effect |
0 or missing | Number format from the "Default" cell style |
1 | Data are always interpreted in the standard format for US English |
2 | Data are retrieved as text; no conversion to numbers |
=DDE("soffice";"c:\Lotus Symphony\document\data1.sxc";"sheet1.A1") reads the contents of cell A1 in sheet1 of the IBM Lotus Symphony Spreadsheets data1.sxc.
=DDE("soffice";"c:\Lotus Symphony\document\motto.sxw";"Today's motto") returns a motto in the cell containing this formula. First, you must enter a line in the motto.sxw document containing the motto text and define it as the first line of a section named Today's Motto (in IBM Lotus Symphony Documents under Create - Section ). If the motto is modified (and saved) in the Lotus Symphony Documents , the motto is updated in all Lotus Symphony Spreadsheets cells in which this DDE link is defined.
Returns the number corresponding to an error value occurring in a different cell. With the aid of this number, you can generate an error message text.
If an error occurs, the function returns a logical or numerical value.
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The Status Bar displays the predefined error code from Lotus Symphony if you click the cell containing the error. |
ERRORTYPE(Reference)
Reference contains the address of the cell in which the error occurs.
If cell A1 displays Err:518, the function =ERRORTYPE(A1) returns the number 518.
INDEX returns the content of a cell, specified by row and column number or an optional range name.
INDEX(reference;row;column;range)
reference is a cell reference, entered either directly or by specifying a range name. If the reference consists of multiple ranges, you must enclose the reference or range name in parentheses.
row (optional) represents the row number of the reference range, for which to return a value.
column (optional) represents the column number of the reference range, for which to return a value.
range (optional) represents the index of the subrange if referring to a multiple range.
=INDEX(Prices;4;1) returns the value from row 4 and column 1 of the range defined in Data - Define as Prices .
=INDEX(SumX;4;1) returns the value from the range SumX in row 4 and column 1 as defined in Create - Names - Define .
=INDEX((multi);4;1) indicates the value contained in row 4 and column 1 of the (multiple) range, which you named under Create - Names - Set as multi . The multiple range may consist of several rectangular ranges, each with a row 4 and column 1. If you now want to call the second block of this multiple range enter the number 2 as the range parameter.
=INDEX(A1:B6;1;1) indicates the value in the upper-left of the A1:B6 range.
See also the following functions:
Returns the contents of a cell located at the intersection of a specified row, column, and (optionally) sheet of a range.
Index2( Range; Row; Column; Sheet)
Range(required): the reference to a range. Range could be a range address or range name.
Row(required): the offset number of the row, or the address or name of a cell that contains a positive integer.
Column(required): the offset number of the column, or the address or name of a cell which contains a positive integer.
Sheet(optional): an optional argument that is the offset number of the sheet. If the sheet is not specified, the first sheet in the range will be used.
Returns the contents of a cell located at the intersection specified by column-heading, row-heading, and (optionally) worksheet-heading.
Xindex(Range; Column-heading; Row-heading; Worksheet-heading)
Range(required): the reference to a range.
Column-heading(optional): the contents of a cell in the first row of the range.
Row-heading(optional): the contents of a cell in the first column of the range.
Worksheet-heading(optional): the contents of the first cell in the range.
Returns the reference specified by a text string. This function can also be used to return the area of a corresponding string.
INDIRECT(ref)
range(required): the reference to a range.
=INDIRECT(A1) equals 100 if A1 contains C108 as a reference and cell C108 contains a value of 100.
=SUM(INDIRECT("a1:" & ADDRESS(1;3))) totals the cells in the area of A1 up to the cell, whose address is defined by row 1 and column 3. Therefore, area A1:C1 is totaled.
See also the following functions:
Returns the column number of a cell reference. If the reference is a cell the column number of the cell is returned; if the parameter is a cell area, the corresponding column numbers are returned in a single-row array if the formula is entered as an array formula . If the COLUMN function with an area reference parameter is not used for an array formula, only the column number of the first cell within the area is determined.
COLUMN(reference)
Reference is the reference to a cell or cell area whose first column number is to be found.
If no reference is entered, the column number of the cell in which the formula is entered is found. Lotus Symphony Spreadsheets automatically sets the reference to the current cell.
=COLUMN(A1) equals 1. Column A is the first column in the table.
=COLUMN(C3:E3) equals 3. Column C is the third column in the table.
=COLUMN(D3:G10) returns 4 because column D is the fourth column in the table and the COLUMN function is not used as an array formula. (In this case, the first value of the array is always used as the result.)
{=COLUMN(B2:B7)} and =COLUMN(B2:B7) both return 2 because the reference only contains column B as the second column in the table. Because single-column areas have only one column number, it does not make a difference whether or not the formula is used as an array formula.
=COLUMN() returns 3 if the formula was entered in column C.
{=COLUMN(Rabbit)} returns the single-row array (3, 4) if "Rabbit" is the named area (C1:D3).
See also the following functions:
COLUMNS(array)
array is the reference to a cell range whose total number of columns is to be found. The argument can also be a single cell.
=Columns(B5) returns 1 because a cell only contains one column.
=COLUMNS(A1:C5) equals 3. The reference comprises three columns.
=COLUMNS(Rabbit) returns 2 if "Rabbit" is the named range (C1:D3).
See also the following functions:
Vertical search with reference to adjacent cells to the right. This function checks if a specific value is contained in the first column of an array. The function then returns the value to the same line of a specific array column named by index.
The search supports
As soon as you have entered text, you can enter "all.*", for example to find the first location of "all" followed by any characters.
=VLOOKUP(Search criterion;array;index;sort order)
Search criterion is the value searched for in the first column of the array.
array is the reference, which is to comprise at least two columns.
index is the number of the column in the array that contains the value to be returned. The first column has the number 1.
Sort order is an optional parameter that indicates whether the first column in the array is sorted in ascending order. Enter the Boolean value FALSE if the first column is not sorted in ascending order. Sorted columns can be searched much faster and the function always returns a value, even if the search value was not matched exactly, if it is between the lowest and highest value of the sorted list. In unsorted lists, the search value must be matched exactly. Otherwise the function will return this message: Error: Value Not Available .
You want to enter the number of a dish on the menu in cell A1, and the name of the dish is to appear as text in the neighboring cell (B1) immediately. The Number to Name assignment is contained in the D1:E100 array. D1 contains 100, E1 contains the name Vegetable Soup , and so forth, for 100 menu items. The numbers in column D are sorted in ascending order; thus, the optional Sort order parameter is not necessary.
Enter the following formula in B1:
=VLOOKUP(A1; D1:E100; 2)
As soon as you enter a number in A1 B1 will show the corresponding text contained in the second column of reference D1:E100. Entering a nonexistent number displays the text with the next number down. To prevent this, enter FALSE as the last parameter in the formula so that an error message is generated when a nonexistent number is entered.
See also the following functions:
Returns the sheet number of a reference or a string representing a sheet name. If you do not enter any parameters, the result is the sheet number of the spreadsheet containing the formula.
SHEET(Reference)
Reference is optional and is the reference to a cell, an area, or a sheet name string.
=SHEET(Sheet2.A1) returns 2 if Sheet2 is the second sheet in the spreadsheet document.
Determines the number of sheets in a reference. If you do not enter any parameters, it returns the number of sheets in the current document.
SHEETS(Reference)
Reference is the reference to a sheet or an area. This parameter is optional.
=SHEETS(Sheet1.A1:Sheet3.G12) returns 3 if Sheet1, Sheet2, and Sheet3 exist in the sequence indicated.
Returns the relative position of an item in an array that matches a specified value. The function returns the position of the value found in the lookup_array as a number.
MATCH(search criterion;lookup_array;type)
Search Criterion is the value which is to be searched for in the single-row or single-column array.
lookup_array is the reference searched. A lookup array can be a single row or column, or part of a single row or column.
Type may take the values 1, 0, or -1. If Type = 1 or if this optional parameter is missing, it is assumed that the first column of the search array is sorted in ascending order. If Type = -1 it is assumed that the column in sorted in descending order. This corresponds to the same function in Microsoft Excel.
If Type = 0, only exact matches are found. If the search criterion is found more than once, the function returns the first one found. Only if Type = 0 can you search for regular expressions.
The search supports
. As soon as you have entered text, you can enter "all.*", for example to find the first location of "all" followed by any characters.
If Type = 1 or the third parameter is missing, the last value that is smaller or equal to the search criterion is returned. This applies even when the search array is not sorted. For Type = -1, the first value that is larger or equal is returned.
=MATCH(200; D1:D100) searches the area D1:D100, which is sorted by column D, for the value 200. As soon as this value is reached, the number of the row in which it was found is returned. If a higher value is found during the search in the column, the number of the previous row is returned.
See also the following functions:
INDEX, HLOOKUP , LOOKUPReturns the value of a cell offset by a certain number of rows and columns from a given reference point.
OFFSET(reference;rows;columns;height;width)
Reference is the cell from which the function searches for the new reference.
Rows is the number of cells by which the reference was corrected up (negative value) or down.
Columns is the number of columns by which the reference was corrected to the left (negative value) or to the right.
Height is the optional vertical height for an area that starts at the new reference position.
Width is the optional horizontal width for an area that starts at the new reference position.
=OFFSET(A1; 2, 2) returns the value in cell C3 (A1 moved by two rows and two columns down). If C3 contains the value 100 this function returns the value 100.
=SUM(OFFSET(A1; 2; 2; 5; 6)) determines the total of the area that starts in cell C3 and has a height of 5 rows and a width of 6 columns (area=C3:H7).
Returns the contents of a cell either from a one-row or one-column range or from an array. Optionally, the assigned value (of the same index) is returned in a different column and row. As opposed to VLOOKUP and HLOOKUP , search and result vector may be at different positions; they do not have to be adjacent. Additionally, the search vector for the LOOKUP must be sorted, otherwise the search will not return any usable results.
The search supports
. As soon as you have entered text, you can enter "all.*", for example to find the first location of "all" followed by any characters.
LOOKUP(Search criterion;Search vector;result_vector)
Search criterion is the value to be searched for; entered either directly or as a reference.
Search vector is the single-row or single-column area to be searched.
result_vector is another single-row or single-column range from which the result of the function is taken. The result is the cell of the result vector with the same index as the instance found in the search vector.
=LOOKUP(A1; D1:D100;F1:F100) searches the corresponding cell in range D1:D100 for the number you entered in A1. For the instance found, the index is determined, for example, the 12th cell in this range. Then, the contents of the 12th cell are returned as the value of the function (in the result vector).
See also the following functions:
Applies a style to the cell containing the formula. After a set amount of time, another style can be applied. This function always returns the value 0, allowing you to add it to another function without changing the value. Together with the CURRENT function you can apply a color to a cell regardless of the value. For example: =...+STYLE(IF(CURRENT()>3;"red";"green")) applies the style "red" to the cell if the value is greater than 3, otherwise the style "green" is applied. Both cell formats have to be defined beforehand.
STYLE(style;time;style2)
Style is the name of a cell style assigned to the cell. Style names must be entered in quotation marks.
Time is an optional time range in seconds. If this parameter is missing the style will not be changed after a certain amount of time has passed.
Style2 is the optional name of a cell style assigned to the cell after a certain amount of time has passed. If this parameter is missing "Standard" is assumed.
=STYLE("Invisible";60;"Default") formats the cell in transparent format for 60 seconds after the document was recalculated or loaded, then the Default format is assigned. Both cell formats have to be defined beforehand.
CHOOSE(Index; value1;...value30)
Index is a reference or number between 1 and 30 indicating which value is to be taken from the list.
Value1...Value30 is the list of values entered as a reference to a cell or as individual values.
=CHOOSE(A1; B1; B2; B3; "Today"; "Yesterday"; "Tomorrow"), for example, returns the contents of cell B2 for A1 = 2; for A1 = 4, the function returns the text "Today".
See also the following functions:
Searches for a value and reference to the cells below the selected area. This function verifies if the first row of an array contains a certain value. The function returns then the value in a row of the array, named in the Index , in the same column.
The search supports
. As soon as you have entered text, you can enter "all.*", for example to find the first location of "all" followed by any characters.
=HLOOKUP(search_criteria;array;Index;sorted)
See also: VLOOKUP (columns and rows are exchanged)
See also the following functions:
When you click a cell that contains the HYPERLINK function, the hyperlink opens.
If you use the optional CellText parameter, the formula locates the URL, and then displays the text or number.
HYPERLINK("URL") or HYPERLINK("URL"; "CellText")
URL specifies the link target. The optional CellText parameter is the text or a number that is displayed in the cell and will be returned as the result. If the CellText parameter is not specified, the URL is displayed in the cell text and will be returned as the result.
The number 0 is returned for empty cells and matrix elements.
=HYPERLINK("http://www.example.org") displays the text "http://www.example.org" in the cell and executes the hyperlink http://www.example.org when clicked.
=HYPERLINK("http://www.example.org";"Click here") displays the text "Click here" in the cell and executes the hyperlink http://www.example.org when clicked.
=HYPERLINK("http://www.example.org";12345) displays the number 12345 and executes the hyperlink http://www.example.org when clicked.
=HYPERLINK($B4) where cell B4 contains http://www.example.org. The function adds http://www.example.org to the URL of the hyperlink cell and returns the same text which is used as formula result.
=HYPERLINK("http://www.";"Click ") & "example.org" displays the text Click example.org in the cell and executes the hyperlink http://www.example.org when clicked.
=HYPERLINK("#Sheet1.A1";"Go to top") displays the text Go to top and jumps to cell Sheet1.A1 in this document.
=HYPERLINK("file:///C:/writer.odt#Specification";"Go to Writer bookmark") displays the text Go to Writer bookmark, loads the specified text document and jumps to bookmark "Specification".
Returns the row number of a cell reference. If the reference is a cell, it returns the row number of the cell. If the reference is a cell range, it returns the corresponding row numbers in a one-column Array if the formula is entered as an array formula . If the ROW function with a range reference is not used in an array formula, only the row number of the first range cell will be returned.
ROW(reference)
Reference is a cell, an area, or the name of an area.
If you do not indicate a reference, the row number of the cell in which the formula is entered will be found. Lotus Symphony Spreadsheets automatically sets the reference to the current cell.
=ROW(B3) returns 3 because the reference refers to the third row in the table.
{=ROW(D5:D8)} returns the single-column array (5, 6, 7, 8) because the reference specified contains rows 5 through 8.
=ROW(D5:D8) returns 5 because the ROW function is not used as array formula and only the number of the first row of the reference is returned.
{=ROW(A1:E1)} and =ROW(A1:E1) both return 1 because the reference only contains row 1 as the first column in the table. (Because single-row areas only have one row number it does not make any difference whether or not the formula is used as an array formula.)
=ROW() returns 3 if the formula was entered in row 3.
{=ROW(Rabbit)} returns the single-column array (1, 2, 3) if "Rabbit" is the named area (C1:D3).
See also the following functions:
ROWS(array)
array is the reference or named area whose total number of rows is to be determined.