Calculus Functions

Here's the list of built in functions by category: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/ma...825.aspx?CTT=1 You might pay particular attention to the Engineering category (which will have most of the functions for complex numbers) and the Math and Trig category. If the function or functions you are looking for are not listed, then you will probably need to figure out how to program it into the spreadsheet. We can help, if you give us a good explanation of the calculus function/operation you are trying to do.

Excel does not have built in generic functions for derivative. However, Excel can be taught how to take a derivative. There are basically two ways to take a derivative in Excel (or any other programming language for that matter).

1) Symbolically: On paper or a chalkboard, derive the expression for the derivative using the rules for taking derivatives symbolically that you learned in calculus. Then you can program this expression into Excel.
2) Numerically: To take a numeric derivative, use the defining equation for derivative f'=[f(x+h)-f(x)]/[x+h-x].

Similarly, Excel is not pre-programmed to perform integrations, but it can be taught. Again, there are basically two approaches:

1) Symbolically: On paper, find the expression for the antiderivative. Then we can use the Fundamental theorem of calculus to find the integral.
2) Numerically: These algorithms are usually built around the different Riemann sums http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riemann_sums

I am not familiar with "shear and moment" type problems, but, a quick search through the internet suggests that they are mostly built on polynomials, which can be nice. Assuming your calculus is not too rusty, it should be pretty easy to derive the expressions symbolically, then program those expressions into Excel.