Excel uses standard mathematical operators to perform calculations in formulas. Understanding these operators is essential for creating accurate formulas.
Basic Operators
Addition (+)
Adds numbers together.
Example:=5+3returns 8.Subtraction (-)
Subtracts one number from another.
Example:=10-4returns 6.Multiplication (*)
Multiplies numbers.
Example:=7*2returns 14.Division (/)
Divides one number by another.
Example:=20/5returns 4.
Exponents
- Use the caret symbol
^for powers/indicies/exponents.
Example:=2^3returns 8.
Order of Operations
Excel follows the standard mathematical order of operations (BIDMAS) (or PEMDAS in the U.S):
Brackets→ Indices→ Division/Multiplication → Addition/Subtraction
Example: =2+3*4 returns 14, because multiplication happens before addition.
To override this, use parentheses:=(2+3)*4 returns 20.