What does a function in a spreadsheet do?

A function in a spreadsheet is designed to perform specific calculations using the data entered into the cells. Functions can carry out a wide range of tasks, from simple arithmetic operations like addition and subtraction to more complex statistical analyses and data manipulations. By utilizing functions, users can automate calculations and improve efficiency when analyzing data sets.

While options that mention storing large datasets, creating visual graphs, or tracking data changes over time are important aspects of working with spreadsheets, they do not accurately describe the primary purpose of a function. Functions themselves are not meant for data storage; rather, they operate on the data that already exists within the spreadsheet. Additionally, visual graphs represent the outcomes of calculations that may include functions, but the graphing feature itself is distinct from the function's role in performing calculations. Tracking changes over time involves other functionalities of spreadsheet software, such as version control or change tracking, which are separate from the calculation capabilities of functions.