Excel Formulas

Formulas are the calculations that make Excel more than just a grid of text - every formula begins with an equals sign (=).

Basic Arithmetic

=A2+B2   ' Addition
=A2-B2   ' Subtraction
=A2*B2   ' Multiplication
=A2/B2   ' Division
=A2^2    ' Exponentiation

Relative vs Absolute References

By default, references shift when a formula is copied to other cells (relative). Adding $ locks a row, column, or both so the reference stays fixed (absolute).

=A2*B2    ' relative - shifts when copied
=A2*$B$2  ' absolute - $B$2 stays fixed when copied

Order of Operations

Excel follows standard mathematical order of operations (parentheses, exponents, multiplication/division, then addition/subtraction), so parentheses should be used to make complex formulas unambiguous.

Common Formula Errors

• #DIV/0! - dividing by zero or an empty cell.
• #REF! - a reference points to a deleted cell.
• #VALUE! - the formula contains the wrong type of argument.
• #N/A - a lookup function couldn't find a match.