Enter the numbers you want to calculate.

If we wanted to add the contents of cell B2 and cell B3, for example, then take that answer and multiply it by the data in cell A4, we would need to define the following formula: =(B2+B3)*A4. If you want a certain portion of the formula to be calculated first, put it in parentheses. The answer is 9.Įxcel XP automatically follows a standard order of operations in a complex formula. Perform the operation in parenthesis (5-2) first and then multiply by 3. Multiply 2*3 before performing the subtraction operation because the multiplication sign is of a higher order than the subtraction sign. Subtract 5-2 before performing the addition operation because the subtaction sign comes before the addition sign. The answer is 0.833333.Īdd 5+3 before performing the subtraction operation because the addition sign comes before the subtraction sign. Perform the operation in parentheses (3*2) first and divide 5 by this result. The answer is 7.5.ĭivide 5/3 before performing the multiplication operation because the division sign comes before the multiplication sign. Multiply 5*3 before performing the division operation because the multiplication sign comes before the division sign. In Excel, never do math in your head and type the answer in a cell where you would expect to have a formula calculate the answer.īefore moving on, let's explore some more formulas to make sure you understand the order of operations by which Excel calculates an answer. When using formulas with cell references, the results change each time the numbers are edited.

Multiply the answer obtained in step 1, which is 2, to the numeric 2* that opened the equation.

Calculate the operation in parenthesis (6-4), where the answer is 2.

You must follow the order of operations to get the correct answer. Is the answer 8 or 4? If you ignored the parentheses and calculated in the order in which the numbers appear, 2*6-4, you'd get the wrong answer, 8.

Using this order, let us see how the formula 120/(8-5)*4-2 is calculated in the following picture:

Addition and subtraction, whichever comes first.

Multiplication and division, whichever comes first.

Exponential calculations (to the power of).

If you enter a formula that contains several operations-like adding, subtracting, and dividing-Excel XP knows to work these operations in a specific order.

The order of mathematical operations is important.

Complex formulas involve more than one mathematical operation. Simple formulas have one mathematical operation.

Formula for subtracting cells in excel