#How to use microsoft excel to calculate how to#

In this example, there are four basic formulas: Here are some examples of some simple Excel formulas and their results: Excel will assume you're typing a formula and insert the equals sign for you. You can also start a formula with either a plus (+) or minus (-) symbol. If you don't type the equals sign first, then Excel will assume you are typing either a number or a text. You start by typing the = (equals) sign, then the rest of your formula. When entering a formula, you have to make sure Excel knows that's what you want to do. This normally happens in the blink of an eye so you won't normally notice it, although you may find that large and complex spreadsheets can take longer to recalculate. In fact, when you enter a formula into any cell, Excel will recalculate the result of all the cells in the worksheet. When you enter a formula in a cell, Excel calculates the result of that formula and displays the result of that calculation to you. In Excel, each cell can contain a calculation. And you can even create formulas that link cells in different workbooks together. You can create formulas that link cells in different worksheets together.

add the value in this cell to the value in that cell). Not only that, but you can create formulas that link different cells together (e.g. An Excel spreadsheet has millions of cells, which means you have millions of individual calculators to work with. In fact, a simple way to think about Excel is to consider each cell in a worksheet like an individual calculator.

#How to use microsoft excel to calculate how to#

In this lesson you'll learn how to create simple formulas and calculations in Excel.Īt its heart, Excel is a giant calculator. If you're getting started with Excel, creating formulas is one of the first things you should learn.