Overview of formulas

When to Use?

Get started on how to create formulas and use built-in functions to perform calculations and solve problems.

Procedure

I. Watch: Create formulas

II. Create a formula that refers to values in other cells

1.  Select a cell.

2.  Type the equal sign =.

Note: Formulas in Excel always begin with the equal sign.

3.  Select a cell or type its address in the selected cell.

Screenshot of multiple cells

4.  Enter an operator. For example, – for subtraction.

5.  Select the next cell, or type its address in the selected cell

Screenshot of multiple cells

6. Press Enter. The result of the calculation appears in the cell with the formula.

 

III. See a formula

When a formula is entered into a cell, it also appears in the Formula bar.

Formula bar

To see a formula in the formula bar, select a cell.

Formula bar

 

IV. Enter a formula that contains a built-in function

1.  Select an empty cell.

2.  Type an equal sign = and then type a function. For example, =SUM for getting the total sales.

3.  Type an opening parenthesis (.

4.  Select the range of cells, and then type a closing parenthesis).

Cell range

5.  Press Enter to get the result.

 

V. Download Microsoft’s Formulas tutorial workbook

Microsoft has put together a Get started with Formulas workbook that you can download. If you are new to Excel, or even if you have some experience with it, you can walk through Excel’s most common formulas in this tour. With real-world examples and helpful visuals, you will be able to Sum, Count, Average, and VLOOKUP like a pro.

 

 

 

 

Was this helpful?
0 reviews