Formula: Adding Numbers in Excel

Adding Numbers in Excel
To add two or more numbers in Excel you need to create a formula. Two important
points to remember about Excel formulas:
 formulas in Excel always begin with the equal sign ( = )
 the equal sign always goes in the cell where you want the answer to go
Use Cell References in Formulas
Even though you can use numbers directly in a formula, it is much better to use the
references or addresses of the cells containing the numbers you want to add. If you use
the cell references rather than the actual data, later, if you need to change the data in
either cell, the results of the formula will update automatically without you having to
rewrite the formula.
Setting Up the Addition Formula
As an example, lets create a formula in cell C1 that will add the contents of cell B1 from
cell A1.
Our formula:
=A1 + B1
Our data:
 place the number 20 in cell A1
 place the number 10 in cell B1
Formula Steps
To add 10 to 20 and have the answer appear in cell C1:
1. Type an equal sign in cell C1.
2. Click on cell A1 with the mouse pointer.
3. Type the plus sign ( ) in cell C1.
4. Click on cell B1 with the mouse pointer.
5. Press the ENTER key on the keyboard.
6. The answer 30 should be present in cell C1.
7. Even though you see the answer in cell C1, if you click on that cell you will see
our formula in the formula bar above the work area.
To expand your formula to include additional operations such as subtraction,
multiplication, or more additions just continue to add the correct mathematical
operator followed by the cell reference containing your data.
Note: Before you mix different mathematical operations, be sure you understand the
order of operations that Excel follows when evaluating a formula.
Subtracting Numbers in Excel
Related article: Subtract Dates in Excel.
To subtract two or more numbers in Excel you need to create a formula.
Two important points to remember about Excel formulas:
 the equal sign always goes in the cell where you want the answer to appear
Even though you can use numbers directly in a formula, it is much better to use the cell
references of the numbers you want to subtract.
If you use the cell references rather than the actual data, later, if you need to change the
data in either cell, the results of the formula will update automatically without you
having to rewrite the formula.
Setting Up the Subtraction Formula
As an example, lets create a formula in cell C1 that will subtract the contents of cell B1
from cell A1.
Our formula:
=A1 B1
Our data:
 add the number 20 in cell A1
 add the number 10 in cell B1
Formula Steps
To subtract 10 from 20 and have the answer appear in cell C1:
1. Type an equal sign in cell C1.
2. Click on cell A1 with the mouse pointer.
3. Type a minus sign ( ) in cell C1.
4. Click on cell B1 with the mouse pointer.
6. The answer 10 should be present in cell C1.
7. Even though you see the answer in cell C1, if you click on that cell you will see
To expand your formula to include additional operations such as addition,
multiplication, or more subtractions just continue to add the correct mathematical
operator followed by the cell reference containing your data.
Multiplying Numbers in Excel
Note: For help with this example, see the image to the right.
To multiply two or more numbers in Excel you need to create a formula. Important
points to remember about Excel formulas:
 the multiplication sign in Excel is the asterisk ( * )
Even though you can use numbers directly in a formula, it is much better to use the
references or addresses of the cells containing the numbers you want to add.
By using cell references rather than the actual data in your formula, later, if you need to
change your data, the results of the formula will update automatically without you
having to rewrite the formula.
Setting Up the Multiplication Formula
As an example, lets create a formula in cell C1 that will multiply the contents of cell B1
from cell A1.
Our formula: = D1 * D2
Our data:
 type the number 20 in cell D1
 type the number 10 in cell D2
Formula Steps
To multiply 10 to 20 and have the answer appear in cell E1:
1. Type an equal sign in cell E1.
2. Click on cell D1 with the mouse pointer.
3. Type an asterisk sign ( * ) in cell E1.
6. The answer 200 should be present in cell E1.
7. Even though you see the answer in cell E1, if you click on that cell you will see
To expand your formula to include additional operations such as subtraction or
addition just continue to add the correct mathematical operator followed by the cell
reference containing your data.
Excel Division
To divide two numbers in Excel you need to create a formula. Important points to
remember about Excel formulas:
 the division symbol is the forward slash ( / )
Even though you can use numbers directly in your division formula, it is much better to
use the references or addresses of the cells containing your data. If you use the cell
references rather than the actual data, later, if you need to change the data in either cell,
the results of the formula will update automatically without you having to rewrite the
formula.
Setting Up the Division Formula
As an example, lets create a formula in cell E1 that will divide the contents of cell C1 by
cell D1.
Our formula:
=C1 / D1
Our data:
 place the number 20 in cell C1
 place the number 10 in cell D1
Division Formula Steps
To divide 20 by 10 and have the answer appear in cell E1:
1. Type an equal sign in cell E1.
2. Click on cell C1 with the mouse pointer.
3. Type the division sign ( / ) in cell E1.
6. The answer 2 should be present in cell E1.
7. Even though you see the answer in cell E1, if you click on that cell you will see
To expand your formula to include additional operations such as subtraction or
addition just continue to add the correct mathematical operator followed by the cell
reference containing your data.

Formula: Adding Numbers in Excel

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