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5 Creating Simple Formulas

This document provides instructions for creating basic formulas in Excel using mathematical operators like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. It explains how to write formulas that perform calculations on numbers directly, as well as formulas that reference the values in other cells. The key steps outlined include entering the equals sign, typing or selecting the cells to operate on, and using operators like + - * and /. Formulas allow Excel to calculate and analyze numeric data, but it's important to double check formulas for errors.

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Siddhesh Parab
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36 views

5 Creating Simple Formulas

This document provides instructions for creating basic formulas in Excel using mathematical operators like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. It explains how to write formulas that perform calculations on numbers directly, as well as formulas that reference the values in other cells. The key steps outlined include entering the equals sign, typing or selecting the cells to operate on, and using operators like + - * and /. Formulas allow Excel to calculate and analyze numeric data, but it's important to double check formulas for errors.

Uploaded by

Siddhesh Parab
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 6

Introduction

Excelcanbeusedto calculate and analyze numeri


cal information; however, you will need to know
how to write formulas to maximize Excel's
capabilities. A formula is an equation that
performs a calculation using values in the
worksheet. In this lesson you will learn how
to create simple formulas using mathematical
operators such as the addition, subtraction,
multiplication, and division signs.

To Create a Simple Formula that Adds Two Numbers:

 Click the cell where the formula will be defined (C5, for
example).
 Type the equal sign (=) to let
Excel know a formula is being
defined.
 Type the first number to be
added (e.g., 1500)
 Type the addition sign (+) to let
Excel know that an add
operation is to be performed.
 Type the second number to be
added (e.g., 200)
 Press Enter or click the Enter
button on the Formula bar to
complete the formula.
 Excel will not always tell you if
your formula contains an error,
so it's up to you to check all of
your formulas. To learn how to
do this, read our article Double-
Check Your Excel Formulas.

1
To Create a Simple Formula that Adds the Contents
of Two Cells:
 Click the cell where the answer will appear (C5, for example).
 Type the equal sign (=) to let Excel know a formula is being defined.
 Type the cell number that contains the first number to be added (C3,
for example).
 Type the addition sign (+) to let Excel know that an add operation is
to be performed.
 Type the cell address that contains the second number to be added
(C4, for example).
 Press Enter or click the Enter button on the Formula bar to
complete the formula.

2
To Create a Simple Formula using the Point and Click Method:

 Click the cell where the answer will appear (C30, for example).
 Type the equal sign (=) to let Excel know a formula is being defined.
 Click on the first cell to be included in the formula (C5, for example).
 Type the subtraction sign (-) to let Excel know that a subtraction
operation is to be performed.
 Click on the next cell in the formula (C29, for example).

 Press Enter or click the Enter button on the Formula bar to


complete the formula.

3
To Create a Simple Formula that Multiplies the Contents of Two Cells:

 Select the cell where the answer will appear (E32, for example).
 Type the equal sign (=) to let Excel know a formula is being defined.
 Click on the first cell to be included in the formula (C9, for example)
or type a number.
 Type the multiplication symbol (*) by pressing the Shift key and then
the number 8 key. The operator displays in the cell and Formula bar.
 Click on the next cell in the formula or type a number (12, for
example).
 Press Enter or click the Enter button on the Formula bar to
complete the formula.

To Create a Simple Formula that Divides One Cell by Another:

 Click the cell where the answer will appear.


 Type the equal sign (=) to let Excel know a formula is being defined.
 Click on the first cell to be included in the formula.
 Type a division symbol. The operator displays in the cell and Formula
bar.
 Click on the next cell in the formula.
 Enter or click the Enter button on the Formula bar to complete the
formula.

4
Using Cell References
As you can see, there are many ways to
create a simple formula in Excel. Most
likely you will choose one of the methods
that enters the cell address into the
formula, rather than an actual number.
The cell address is basically the name of
the cell and can be found in the Name
Box.

The following example uses actual numbers in the formula in C5.

When a cell address is used as part of a formula, this is called a cell


reference. It is called a cell referencebecause instead of entering specific
numbers into a formula, the cell address refers to a specific cell. The
following example uses cell references in the formula in C30.

5
Challenge!
Use the Budget or any Excel workbook you choose to complete
this challenge.

 Write a simple addition formula.


 Write a simple subtraction formula using the point and click
method.
 Write a simple multiplication formula using cell references.
 Write a simple division formula.

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