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An array formula is a formula used in spreadsheets for performing multiple calculations on a series of items in an array rather than on a single data value. The results returned from an array formula can be of two types: a single result or multiple results.
An array formula can be used to calculate a column or row of subtotals by placing it in a row of cells or it can be used to calculate a single value in a single cell. For example, an array formula =ROW(A1:A5) returns a series of numbers, which are the row numbers in the first cell from the range A1:A5; in other words, it returns {1, 2, 3, 4, 5}.
In an Excel spreadsheet, an array formula is enclosed between braces {}. A container function such as SUM or COUNT is always used while working with array formulas so as to aggregate a series of data to a single number result. The formula =ROW(A1:A5) in normal mode returns a single number 1, and the container function SUM just performs the sum of that single number. If the formula is used as an array formula then =ROW(A1:A5) returns an array of row numbers and SUM function adds up the elements of the array, returning a result of 15(=1+ 2+3+4+5).
Array formulas have the following advantages:
The problem with array formulas is that large formulas can slow down calculations. In addition, other users of the spreadsheet may not be able to understand the array formulas.
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