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Data Analysis in Excel
Lambda Function Programming

Lambda Function Programming

Download: ProgrammingWithLambdaFunctions_init.xlsx

Description

Lambda functions can be used to define anonymous callback functions but another use is to name a lambda function for later re-use. This is a powerful tool and is responsible for all of the statistical functions in the CLS-Stats add-in.

If you find yourself typing the same long cell formula over and over again, that formula is ripe for abstraction as a named lambda function. This screencast explores how this is done using an example of how one of Excel’s native functions can be enhanced with a named lambda function.

Learning Goals

  • Learn the process of creating named lambda functions

Tasks

  • “Fix” LINEST using the FILTER function.
  • Use the LET function to avoid helper columns.
  • Write a named lambda function to replace LINEST using the Advanced Formula Environment (part of the Excel Labs add-in) as an IDE.
Callback Functions in Excel