Many times it is likely to be confused with the function argument separator in Excel, this element that is so important and can cause so many problems. Therefore, we have decided to inform you correctly so that this is no longer a problem when working when the argument separator is not configured correctly in any Microsoft Excel document.
What is actually the function argument separator in Excel?
The understanding problem generated by this separator is given by the language in which Excel is used. Computers that are configured in Spanish usually have a default symbol, while in English and other languages another is used, if not, you may be interested in knowing how to change the language in Microsoft Excel.
But this is not a big problem, because many of the functions that we create or copy from the internet, only need this symbol to be changed. The great dilemma has been generated between the comma (,) and the semicolon (;), each belonging to a language in Excel.
For the Spanish, the default function argument separator in Excel is the semicolon (;). Everything is the opposite when talking about the English, who use the comma (,) as a separator and really both are correct.
This confusion has caused many people to rack their brains thinking about what they are doing wrong in a function; The worst thing is that the functions can work just by changing the separator, something that leaves many wrong, especially because it is such a small detail.
Something very interesting is that the Latin American continent uses the comma (,), but those computers with Spanish software, default to the semicolon (;). But in the end this is not something so difficult to solve, with some modifications, this will be solved and the doubt will disappear forever.
How to customize function argument separator in Excel?
The process to determine the separator in a personalized way is quite simple, you must follow the steps in detail to achieve it without problems. Keep in mind that you will have to enter the Excel settings, so avoid doing steps that are not indicated.
To start, enter Excel, open a blank document, just to make the separator settings, you must go to the “File” tab. While there, look at the bottom of the menu for the “Options” entry, click on it to open Excel settings.
Being there, you should look for the “Advanced” tab, this is where you will configure the separator, you will need to locate the “Use system separators” option. Once you find it, you will need to uncheck it, this will activate the “Decimal separator” option, in its box, you must place a comma (,) or semicolon (;). Once this is done, you will have managed to change the separator, all you have to do is press “OK” and that’s it, everything will be solved. Remember the mechanism well in case you need to return the separator to the symbol it had previously.
This change can be quite useful in case you change countries or want to publish a function on a page, making it understandable. Keep in mind that if your computer can change the language, it is likely that the separator will also change, consider checking this aspect before starting to work and it is also possible that the size of your Excel file is very large and you need to reduce the size of the Microsoft Excel file.
Can other symbols be used as a function argument separator in Excel?
The truth is that when customizing the separator, this allows any preferred symbol to be used, but this is not recommended. Normally, each symbol has a default function that can be altered if it is used in a different way, for example when copying some strange character such as emojis for Excel.
It is really very difficult to determine what would happen to the rest of the symbology if an element other than a semicolon (;) or a comma (,) is used. For this reason, the most advisable thing is to stick to these two separators that, although they generate doubts in many, are the ones popularly used.
