Overview of formulas in Excel

Get started on how to create formulas and use built-in functions to perform calculations and solve problems.

Create a formula that refers to values in other cells

Select a cell.
Type the equal sign =.

Equal Sign
Select a cell or type its address in the selected cell.

Select Cell
Enter an operator. For example, + for add.

Operator
Select the next cell, or type its address in the selected cell.

Next Cell
Press Enter. The result of the calculation appears in the cell with the formula.

Calculation in Cells

See a formula

When a formula is entered into a cell, it also appears in the Formula bar.

Formula Bar

Enter a formula that contains a built-in function

Select an empty cell.
Type an equal sign = and then type a function. For example, =SUM for getting the total sales.

Sum Function
Type an opening parenthesis (.Paranthesis
Select the range of cells, and then type a closing parenthesis).

Close Parenthesis
Press Enter to get the result.

Enter for results