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Excel 2010

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Creating Simple Formulas

Page 1

Introduction

Lesson 17 

Excel can be used to calculate numerical information. In this lesson, you will learn how to create simple formulas in Excel to add, subtract, multiply, and divide values in a workbook. Also, you will learn the various ways you can use cell references to make working with formulas easier and more efficient.

 

 

Page 2

Simple formulas

Video: Simple Formulas in Excel 2010

Launch "Simple Formulas in Excel 2010" video!Watch the video (3:24).

A formula is an equation that performs a calculation. Like a calculator, Excel can execute formulas that add, subtract, multiply, and divide.

One of the most useful features of Excel is its ability to calculate using a cell address to represent the value in a cell. This is called using a cell reference.

In order to maximize the capabilities of Excel, it is important to understand how to create simple formulas and use cell references.

Creating simple formulas

Excel uses standard operators for equations, such as a plus sign for addition (+), minus sign for subtraction (-), asterisk for multiplication (*), forward slash for division (/), and caret (^) for exponents.

The key thing to remember when writing formulas for Excel is that all formulas must begin with an equals sign (=). This is because the cell contains, or is equal to, the formula and its value.

Standard operators 

To create a simple formula in Excel:

  1. Select the cell where the answer will appear (B4, for example).
    Selecting cell B4 Selecting cell B4
  2. Type the equals sign (=).
  3. Type in the formula you want Excel to calculate. For example, "75/250".
    Entering formula in B4 Entering formula in B4
  4. Press Enter. The formula will be calculated, and the value will be displayed in the cell.
    Result in B4 Result in B4

If the result of a formula is too large to be displayed in a cell, it may appear as pound signs (#######) instead of a value. This means that the column is not wide enough to display the cell content. Simply increase the column width to show the cell content.

 

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Creating formulas with cell references

When a formula contains a cell address, it is called a cell reference. Creating a formula with cell references is useful because you can update data in your worksheet without having to rewrite the values in the formula.

To create a formula using cell references:

  1. Select the cell where the answer will appear (B3, for example).
    Selecting cell B3 Selecting cell B3
  2. Type the equals sign (=).
  3. Type the cell address that contains the first number in the equation (B1, for example).
    Entering a formula in B3 Entering a formula in B3
  4. Type the operator you need for your formula. For example, type the addition sign (+).
  5. Type the cell address that contains the second number in the equation (B2, for example).
    Entering a formula in B3 Entering a formula in B3
  6. Press Enter. The formula will be calculated, and the value will be displayed in the cell.
    Result in B3 Result in B3

If you change a value in either B1 or B2, the total will automatically recalculate.

Result in B3 Result in B3

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, you can read the Double-Check Your Formulas lesson from our Excel Formulas tutorial.

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To create a formula using the point-and-click method:

  1. Select the cell where the answer will appear (B4, for example).
    Selecting cell B4 Selecting cell B4
  2. Type the equals sign (=).
  3. Click on the first cell to be included in the formula (A3, for example).
    Clicking cell A3 Clicking cell A3
  4. Type the operator you need for your formula. For example, type the multiplication sign (*).
  5. Click on the next cell in the formula (B3, for example).
    Clicking cell B3 Clicking cell B3
  6. Press Enter. The formula will be calculated, and the value will be displayed in the cell.
    Result in B4 Result in B4
Page 5

To edit a formula:

  1. Click on the cell you want to edit.
  2. Insert the cursor in the formula bar, and edit the formula as desired. You can also double-click the cell to view and edit the formula directly from the cell.
  3. When finished, press Enter or select the Enter command Cursor.
    Edit a formulaEdit a formula
  4. The new value will be displayed in the cell.
    ResultResult

If you change your mind, use the Cancel command Cursor in the formula bar to avoid accidentally making changes to your formula.

Page 6

Challenge!

  1. Open an existing Excel workbook. If you want, you can use this example.
  2. Write a simple division formula. If you are using the example, write the formula in cell B18 to calculate the painting cost per square foot.
  3. Write a simple addition formula using cell references. If you are using the example, write the formula in cell F5 to calculate the total budget.
  4. Write a simple subtraction formula using the point-and-click method. If you are using the example, subtract the "Expand Bathroom" cost (C6) from the "Total" cost (C11). Calculate your answer in C12.
  5. Edit a formula using the formula bar.