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Excel 2016 - Intro To Formulas

Excel uses standard mathematical operators like +, -, *, / in formulas to calculate values. Formulas must begin with an equals sign (=) and can contain cell references to other cells or numbers. Cell references ensure formulas update automatically when referenced values change. Formulas can be created by typing cell addresses and operators, or by pointing and clicking cells. Formulas can also be copied to other cells using the fill handle to quickly perform the same calculation multiple times. Existing formulas can be edited by selecting the cell and modifying the formula in the formula bar.

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64 views

Excel 2016 - Intro To Formulas

Excel uses standard mathematical operators like +, -, *, / in formulas to calculate values. Formulas must begin with an equals sign (=) and can contain cell references to other cells or numbers. Cell references ensure formulas update automatically when referenced values change. Formulas can be created by typing cell addresses and operators, or by pointing and clicking cells. Formulas can also be copied to other cells using the fill handle to quickly perform the same calculation multiple times. Existing formulas can be edited by selecting the cell and modifying the formula in the formula bar.

Uploaded by

kookie bunny
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Excel 2016 - Intro to Formulas

Introduction
• One of the most powerful features in Excel is the ability
to calculate numerical information using formulas. Just like a calculator,
Excel can add, subtract, multiply, and divide. In this lesson, we'll show you
how to use cell references to create simple formulas.
Mathematical operators
Excel uses standard operators for formulas, such as a plus sign for
addition (+), a minus sign for subtraction (-), an asterisk for
multiplication (*), a forward slash for division (/), and a caret (^) for
exponents.

All formulas in Excel must begin with an 


equals sign (=). This is because the cell
contains, or is equal to, the formula
and the value it calculates.
Understanding cell references
• While you can create simple formulas in Excel using numbers (for example,
=2+2 or =5*5), most of the time you will use cell addresses to create a
formula. This is known as making a cell reference. Using cell references
will ensure that your formulas are always accurate because you can
change the value of referenced cells without having to rewrite the formula.
• In the formula below, cell A3 adds the values of cells A1 and A2 by making
cell references
Understanding cell references
• When you press Enter, the formula calculates and displays the answer in
cell A3:

• If the values in the referenced cells change, the formula automatically


recalculates:

•
Understanding cell references
• By combining a mathematical operator with cell references, you can create
a variety of simple formulas in Excel. Formulas can also include a
combination of cell references and numbers, as in the examples below:
To create a formula:
In our example below, we'll use a simple formula and cell references to
calculate a budget.
1. Select the cell that will contain the formula. In our example, we'll select
cell D12.
To create a formula:
2. Type the equals sign (=). Notice how it appears in both the cell and
the formula bar.
To create a formula:
• Type the cell address of the cell you want to reference first in the formula:
cell D10 in our example. A blue border will appear around the referenced
cell.
To create a formula:
4. Type the mathematical operator you
want to use. In our example, we'll type
the addition sign (+).
5. Type the cell address of the cell you
want to reference second in the formula:
cell D11 in our example. A red border will
appear around the referenced cell.
To create a formula:
6. Press Enter on your keyboard. The formula will be calculated, and
the value will be displayed in the cell. If you select the cell again, notice that
the cell displays the result, while the formula bar displays the formula.

NOTE: 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 the
column is not wide enough to display the cell content.
Simply increase the column width to show the cell
content.
Modifying values with cell references

• The true advantage of cell references is that they allow you


to update data in your worksheet without having to rewrite formulas. In
the example below, we've modified the value of cell D10 from $1,200 to
$1,800. The formula in D12 will automatically recalculate and display the
new value in cell D12.

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 create a formula using the
point-and-click method:
• Instead of typing cell addresses manually, you can point and click the cells
you want to include in your formula. This method can save a lot of time and
effort when creating formulas. In our example below, we'll create a formula
to calculate the cost of ordering several boxes of plastic silverware.
to create a formula using the
point-and-click method:
• Select the cell that will contain the formula. In our example, we'll select
cell D4.
to create a formula using the
point-and-click method:
Type the equals sign (=).
Select the cell you want to reference first in the formula: cell B4 in our
example. The cell address will appear in the formula.
to create a formula using the
point-and-click method:
• Type the mathematical operator you want to use. In our example, we'll
type the multiplication sign (*).
• Select the cell you want to reference second in the formula: cell C4 in our
example. The cell address will appear in the formula.
to create a formula using the
point-and-click method:
• Press Enter on your keyboard. The formula will be calculated, and
the value will be displayed in the cell.
Copying formulas with the fill handle
• Formulas can also be copied to adjacent cells with the fill handle, which
can save a lot of time and effort if you need to perform the same
calculation multiple times in a worksheet. The fill handle is the small
square at the bottom-right corner of the selected cell(s).
Copying formulas with the fill handle
• Select the cell containing the formula you want to copy. Click and drag
the fill handle over the cells you want to fill.
Copying formulas with the fill handle
• After you release the mouse, the formula will be copied to the selected
cells.
To edit a formula:
Sometimes you may want to modify an
existing formula. In the example below,
we've entered an incorrect cell address in
our formula, so we'll need to correct it.
1. Select the cell containing the formula
you want to edit. In our example, we'll
select cell D12.
To edit a formula:
2. Click the formula bar to edit the formula. You can also double-click the
cell to view and edit the formula directly within the cell.
To edit a formula:
• A border will appear around any referenced cells. In our example, we'll
change the first part of the formula to reference cell D10 instead of
cell D9.
To edit a formula:
• When you're finished, press Enter on your keyboard or select
the Enter command in the formula bar.
To edit a formula:
• The formula will be updated, and the new value will be displayed in the cell.

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