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Excel Lesson 9

This document provides an introduction to creating formulas in Excel. It explains how to perform basic mathematical operations in formulas using operators like +, -, *, and /. It demonstrates how to write formulas using cell references so that the formulas dynamically update when cell values change. It provides step-by-step instructions for writing formulas manually by typing cell addresses and operators, or using the point-and-click method to select cells. It also explains how to copy and edit existing formulas.

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Raymond Puno
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
92 views

Excel Lesson 9

This document provides an introduction to creating formulas in Excel. It explains how to perform basic mathematical operations in formulas using operators like +, -, *, and /. It demonstrates how to write formulas using cell references so that the formulas dynamically update when cell values change. It provides step-by-step instructions for writing formulas manually by typing cell addresses and operators, or using the point-and-click method to select cells. It also explains how to copy and edit existing formulas.

Uploaded by

Raymond Puno
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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EXCEL – 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:
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:
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:
Illustration of simple formulas
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.
2. Type the equals sign (=). Notice how it appears in both the cell and the formula
bar.
3. 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.
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.
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.
* 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.
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.
1. Select the cell that will contain the formula. In our example, we'll select cell D4.
2. Type the equals sign (=).
3. Select the cell you want to reference first in the formula: cell B4 in our example.
The cell address will appear in the formula.
4. Type the mathematical operator you want to use. In our example, we'll type the
multiplication sign (*).
5. Select the cell you want to reference second in the formula: cell C4 in our
example. The cell address will appear in the formula.
6. 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).
1. Select the cell containing the formula you want to copy. Click and drag the fill
handle over the cells you want to fill.
2. 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.
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.
3. 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.
4. When you're finished, press Enter on your keyboard or select the Enter command
in the formula bar.
5. The formula will be updated, and the new value will be displayed in the cell.
If you change your mind, you can press the Esc key on your keyboard or click the
Cancel command in the formula bar to avoid accidentally making changes to your
formula.

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