What term refers to the information that a function requires to perform the intended calculation?

The term that refers to the information that a function requires to perform its intended calculation is known as an argument. In the context of functions within spreadsheets, an argument provides specific data that the function uses to accomplish a task. For instance, when using the SUM function, the arguments could be a range of cells that you want to add together.

Arguments are essential because they allow functions to be flexible and applicable to various data inputs. By providing different arguments, the same function can yield different results based on the data it processes. Understanding how to correctly use arguments is critical for effectively utilizing functions in spreadsheet applications.