DELTA

Microsoft Office Excel 2003

See Also

Tests whether two values are equal. Returns 1 if number1 = number2; returns 0 otherwise. Use this function to filter a set of values. For example, by summing several DELTA functions you calculate the count of equal pairs. This function is also known as the Kronecker Delta function.

If this function is not available, and returns the #NAME? error, install and load the Analysis ToolPak add-in.

ShowHow?

  1. On the Tools menu, click Add-Ins.
  2. In the Add-Ins available list, select the Analysis ToolPak box, and then click OK.
  3. If necessary, follow the instructions in the setup program.

Syntax

DELTA(number1,number2)

Number1    is the first number.

Number2    is the second number. If omitted, number2 is assumed to be zero.

Remarks

  • If number1 is nonnumeric, DELTA returns the #VALUE! error value.
  • If number2 is nonnumeric, DELTA returns the #VALUE! error value.

Example

The example may be easier to understand if you copy it to a blank worksheet.

Show How?

  1. Create a blank workbook or worksheet.
  2. Select the example in the Help topic. Do not select the row or column headers.

    Selecting an example from Help

    Selecting an example from Help

  3. Press CTRL+C.
  4. In the worksheet, select cell A1, and press CTRL+V.
  5. To switch between viewing the results and viewing the formulas that return the results, press CTRL+` (grave accent), or on the Tools menu, point to Formula Auditing, and then click Formula Auditing Mode.
 
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Formula Description (Result)
=DELTA(5, 4) Checks whether 5 equals 4 (0)
=DELTA(5, 5) Checks whether 5 equals 5 (1)
=DELTA(0.5, 0) Checks whether 0.5 equals 0 (0)