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DELTA.

Tests whether two numbers are equal (returns 1 if equal, 0 if not).

SyntaxArgumentsExampleInteractive SandboxGeneratorCompatibilityFAQRelatedCheat Sheet
Category: Engineering
ExcelExcel 365Excel 2021Excel 2019Google Sheets

How it works.

DELTA is the Kronecker delta step function in engineering. It tests if two numbers are equal, returning 1 if true and 0 if false. If the second argument is omitted, it compares against 0.

Formula syntax.

Standard Excel Notation
=DELTA(number1, [number2])
Tip:Arguments wrapped in square brackets [like_this] are optional; all other arguments are required.

Formula arguments.

Every parameter accepted by the DELTA function is detailed below.

number1Required

First numeric value to compare.

Example value: A2
number2Optional

Second numeric value (defaults to 0).

Default: 0

Simple example.

Step-by-Step Scenario

Manufacturing Tolerance - Dimension Match

Test whether measured component size equals design specification.

Measured (mm)Spec (mm)Is Exact Match?
2525—
25.0125—
3030—
Applied Formula
=DELTA(A2, B2)
Expected Result:1

Evaluates DELTA over the sample table cells, placing the verified output in cell C2.

Formula generator.

Full Generator Wizard

Customize the argument fields below to generate a tailored DELTA formula ready to paste directly into your worksheet.

Generated FormulaReady to copy
=DELTA()

Expected result behavior.

Returns number 1 based on sample evaluation criteria and active cell references.

Sample Output:1
Output Type:Numeric (Double/Integer)

Best Practices

  • Great for filtering numeric data streams without verbose nested IF formulas.

Common Mistakes

  • Non-numeric text inputs will return a #VALUE! error.
Compatibility Database

Platform & version compatibility.

Verified platform compatibility matrix based on actual spreadsheet calculation engine specifications.

Excel✓
Supported
Excel 365✓
Supported
Excel 2021✓
Supported
Excel 2019✓
Supported
Google Sheets✓
Supported
Microsoft Excel History & Version Availability

Core standard function supported across all modern and legacy Microsoft Excel versions (365, 2021, 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010), as well as Excel for the Web and Mac.

Google Sheets Compatibility Notes

100% compatible with Google Sheets. Uses identical argument order, data types, and standard calculation logic.

Frequently asked questions.

Technical Q&A
Can I use DELTA across different worksheets in Excel?↓

Yes. You can reference cells located on other sheets by including the sheet name followed by an exclamation mark, for example: =DELTA(Sheet2!A2:A10). If the sheet name contains spaces, enclose it in single quotes: ='Q1 Report'!A2:A10.

What is the most common reason for errors in DELTA?↓

Non-numeric text inputs will return a #VALUE! error.

Does DELTA work identically in Google Sheets?↓

Yes, DELTA is supported in both Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets with standard evaluation behavior.