The LAMBDA function lets you build custom functions using only regular Excel functions, no VBA is needed. These custom functions based on the LAMBDA function are available only in your workbook.
The Name Manager lets you create a unique name for your custom LAMBDA function. What makes the LAMBDA function really powerful is its ability to create recursive formulas.
1. LAMBDA Function Syntax
LAMBDA([parameter1, parameter2, …,] calculation)
Back to top
2. LAMBDA Function Arguments
| parameter1 |
Optional. A value that you want to use in the custom function, you are allowed to use a cell reference, string, or number. Up to 253 parameters. |
| calculation |
Required. A formula to evaluate. Must be the last argument, a result is also required. |
Back to top
3. LAMBDA Function Example
This example demonstrates how to build a custom LAMBDA function, there are three main steps.
- Create a formula.
- Build the LAMBDA function.
- Name the LAMBDA function.
We are going to build a custom LAMBDA function that converts Kelvin to Fahrenheit, it is a simple calculation and works great as a demonstration.
3.1 Create a formula
This example shows how to convert Kelvin to Fahrenheit, the calculation is: F = 1.8(K - 273) + 32
Formula in cell C4:
=1.8*(B4-273)+32
Explaining formula
Step 1 - Subtract Kelvin with 273
The minus operator lets you subtract numbers in an Excel formula.
B4-273
0-273 equals -273
Step 2 - Multiply by 1.8
The asterisk character lets you multiply numbers in an Excel formula. The parentheses allow you to control the order of operation.
1.8*(B4-273)
becomes
1.8*-273 equals -491.4
Step 3 - Add 32
The plus operator lets you add numbers in an Excel formula.
1.8*(B4-273)+32
becomes
-491.4 + 32 equals -459.4
Back to top
3.2 Build the LAMBDA function
Formula in cell D4:
=LAMBDA(K,1.8*(K-273)+32)(B4)
Explaining formula
Step 1 - Formula
This is the formula we built in section 3.1 There is only one input value in this formula.
1.8*(B4-273)+32
Step 2 - LAMBDA function
The LAMBDA function has up to 253 parameters, however, we need only one parameter, in this example named K.
LAMBDA([parameter1, parameter2, …,] calculation)
LAMBDA(K, 1.8*(K-273)+32)
The bolded part above is the formula we built in section 3.1, cell reference B4 is replaced with parameter K.
Step 3 - Pass a value to the LAMBDA function
The LAMBDA function uses parentheses to pass values to the LAMBDA formula.
LAMBDA(K,1.8*(K-273)+32)(B4)
The parameters must be in the same order as you specified them, in this case, it doesn't matter. There is only one parameter.
3.3 Name the LAMBDA function
Excel feature "Named ranges" allows us to assign a custom name to the LAMBDA function. I named it KtoF, shown in cell E4 in the image above.
Formula in cell E4:
=KtoF(B4)
How to assign a name to a LAMBDA function
- Go to tab "Formulas" on the ribbon.
- Press with left mouse button on "Name Manager" button. A dialog box appears.
- Press with left mouse button on "New.." button. Another dialog box appears.
- Type a name.
- Paste the LAMBDA function to "Refers to:" field.
- Press with left mouse button on the "OK" button.
- Press with left mouse button on the "Close" button.
The function we created appears if we type the first characters in the function name in a cell.
Excel '365' functions
Increases a cell range or array by a specified number of columns and rows.
Extracts values/rows based on a condition or criteria.
Build custom functions without VBA, macros or javascript.
Returns an array with a specific number of rows and columns calculated by applying a LAMBDA function.
Passes all values in an array to a LAMBDA function, the LAMBDA function calculates new values based on a formula you specify. It then returns an array with the same size as the original array.
Shrinks an array to an accumulated value, a LAMBDA function is needed to properly accumulate each value in order to return a total.
Creates a list of sequential numbers.
Sorts values from a cell range or array
Sorts a cell range or array based on values in a corresponding range or array.
Downloads stock prices based on a stock quote
Returns a given number of rows or columns from a 2D cell range or array.
Rearranges values in 2D cell ranges to a single column.
Rearranges values from a 2D cell range to a single row.
Returns a unique or unique distinct list.
Combines cell ranges or arrays. Joins data to the first blank cell at the bottom of a cell range or array (vertical stacking)
Rearranges values from a single row to a 2D cell range based on a given number of values per column.
Rearranges values from a single row to a 2D cell range based on a given number of values per column.
Search one column for a given value, and return a corresponding value in another column from the same row.
Searches for an item in an array or cell range and returns the relative position.
Provides detailed information including syntax, arguments, return values, and examples for many of the functions used in Excel formulas.
Excel 'Lambda' functions
Passes all values in a column based on an array to a LAMBDA function, the LAMBDA function calculates new values based on a formula you specify. It then continues with the next column until all columns in the array have been processed.
Puts values from an array into a LAMBDA function row-wise.
Build custom functions without VBA, macros or javascript.
Returns an array with a specific number of rows and columns calculated by applying a LAMBDA function.
Passes all values in an array to a LAMBDA function, the LAMBDA function calculates new values based on a formula you specify. It then returns an array with the same size as the original array.
Shrinks an array to an accumulated value, a LAMBDA function is needed to properly accumulate each value in order to return a total.
Passes values in an array to a LAMBDA function, the LAMBDA function calculates new values based on a formula you specify. It then returns an array with the same size as the original array using an accumulator parameter.
Provides detailed information including syntax, arguments, return values, and examples for many of the functions used in Excel formulas.
'LAMBDA' function examples
The following 6 articles contain the LAMBDA function.
Functions in this article
Functions in 'Logical' category
The LAMBDA function function is one of many functions in the 'Logical' category.
Perform a logical test in each argument and if all arguments return TRUE the AND function returns TRUE.
Passes all values in a column based on an array to a LAMBDA function, the LAMBDA function calculates new values based on a formula you specify. It then continues with the next column until all columns in the array have been processed.
Puts values from an array into a LAMBDA function row-wise.
Returns the logical (boolean) value FALSE.
Returns one value if the logical test is TRUE and another value if the logical test is FALSE.
If the value argument returns an error, the value_if_error argument is used. If the value argument does NOT return an error, the IFERROR function returns the value argument.
Handles #N/A errors only, it returns a specific value if the formula returns a #N/A error.
Checks whether one or more conditions are met and returns a value that corresponds to the first TRUE condition.
Build custom functions without VBA, macros or javascript.
Passes all values in an array to a LAMBDA function, the LAMBDA function calculates new values based on a formula you specify. It then returns an array with the same size as the original array.
Returns the boolean opposite to the given argument.
Evaluates a logical expression in each argument and if at least one argument returns TRUE the OR function returns TRUE. If all arguments return FALSE the OR function also returns FALSE.
Shrinks an array to an accumulated value, a LAMBDA function is needed to properly accumulate each value in order to return a total.
Passes values in an array to a LAMBDA function, the LAMBDA function calculates new values based on a formula you specify. It then returns an array with the same size as the original array using an accumulator parameter.
Returns a given value determined by an expression and a list of values.
Returns the logical (boolean) value TRUE.
Calculates the logical exclusive OR meaning if at least one of the arguments evaluates to TRUE then the XOR returns TRUE. All arguments must be evaluated to FALSE for the XOR function to return FALSE.
Excel function categories
Excel functions that let you resize, combine, and shape arrays.
Functions for backward compatibility with earlier Excel versions. Compatibility functions are replaced with newer functions with improved accuracy. Use the new functions if compatibility isn't required.
Perform basic operations to a database-like structure.
Functions that let you perform calculations to Excel date and time values.
Let's you manipulate binary numbers, convert values between different numeral systems, and calculate imaginary numbers.
Calculate present value, interest, accumulated interest, principal, accumulated principal, depreciation, payment, price, growth, yield for securities, and other financial calculations.
Functions that let you get information from a cell, formatting, formula, worksheet, workbook, filepath, and other entitites.
Functions that let you return and manipulate logical values, and also control formula calculations based on logical expressions.
These functions let you sort, lookup, get external data like stock quotes, filter values based a condition or criteria, and get the relative position of a given value in a specific cell range. They also let you calculate row, column, and other properties of cell references.
You will find functions in this category that calculates random values, round numerical values, create sequential numbers, trigonometry, and more.
Calculate distributions, binomial distributions, exponential distribution, probabilities, variance, covariance, confidence interval, frequency, geometric mean, standard deviation, average, median, and other statistical metrics.
Functions that let you manipulate text values, substitute strings, find string in value, extract a substring in a string, convert characters to ANSI code among other functions.
Get data from the internet, extract data from an XML string and more.
Excel categories
Latest updated articles.
More than 300 Excel functions with detailed information including syntax, arguments, return values, and examples for most of the functions used in Excel formulas.
More than 1300 formulas organized in subcategories.
Excel Tables simplifies your work with data, adding or removing data, filtering, totals, sorting, enhance readability using cell formatting, cell references, formulas, and more.
Allows you to filter data based on selected value , a given text, or other criteria. It also lets you filter existing data or move filtered values to a new location.
Lets you control what a user can type into a cell. It allows you to specifiy conditions and show a custom message if entered data is not valid.
Lets the user work more efficiently by showing a list that the user can select a value from. This lets you control what is shown in the list and is faster than typing into a cell.
Lets you name one or more cells, this makes it easier to find cells using the Name box, read and understand formulas containing names instead of cell references.
The Excel Solver is a free add-in that uses objective cells, constraints based on formulas on a worksheet to perform what-if analysis and other decision problems like permutations and combinations.
An Excel feature that lets you visualize data in a graph.
Format cells or cell values based a condition or criteria, there a multiple built-in Conditional Formatting tools you can use or use a custom-made conditional formatting formula.
Lets you quickly summarize vast amounts of data in a very user-friendly way. This powerful Excel feature lets you then analyze, organize and categorize important data efficiently.
VBA stands for Visual Basic for Applications and is a computer programming language developed by Microsoft, it allows you to automate time-consuming tasks and create custom functions.
A program or subroutine built in VBA that anyone can create. Use the macro-recorder to quickly create your own VBA macros.
UDF stands for User Defined Functions and is custom built functions anyone can create.
A list of all published articles.
How to comment
How to add a formula to your comment
<code>Insert your formula here.</code>
Convert less than and larger than signs
Use html character entities instead of less than and larger than signs.
< becomes < and > becomes >
How to add VBA code to your comment
[vb 1="vbnet" language=","]
Put your VBA code here.
[/vb]
How to add a picture to your comment:
Upload picture to postimage.org or imgur
Paste image link to your comment.
Contact Oscar
You can contact me through this contact form