Excel Formulas Made Easy

Do simple Excel formulas frustrate the heck out of you?! Maybe you’re making them too complicated…

All Excel formulas start with = yes just the equals’ sign. To add two cell together it is as simple as using a calculator and add the two numbers, but instead of using the actual numbers, Excel uses the cell locations.

Cell Names & Locations

A cell location is created by the column letter and the row number. For example: A1 is the cell address for the very first column and the very first row. This allows Excel to quickly make other formulas for you by being able to copy the formula to other cells, letting Excel do more of the work for you.

In the middle of the picture on the left is the Name Box wich contains the current cell address, in this case A1.

In the grid section of the spreadsheet notice that column A and row 1 are highlighted in a light orange color. This indicates what the current cell location is also.

Notice in this example that the cell C4 is currently active.

See the name box and the column and row highlights let you know the active cell currently is C4.

This helps you find the active cell if it is not currently on your screen, the name box always lets you know the active cell, even when you can’t see it.

Addition

Addition is quickly done by adding two cells together; see the formula in the Formula Bar? =A2+B2

While the cell C2 contains the actual formula it displays the result of the formula.

This lets Excel quickly add the two cells, if a change is made to one of the cells, Excel automatically updates the result because it is referencing the cells and not the actual figures.

Subtraction

Subtraction is a – sign instead of the + sign. In this case the formula is:

=A3-B3

Again, Excel is using the cell reference to take the amounts in the cells and do the calculation.

If the numbers in the cells change the formula automatically updates the result.

Multiplication

Multiplication is just as easy as on a calculator using the * key as its symbol.

=A4*B4

Same as above, if the actual figures change, Excel automatically updates the result.

Division

Dvision is just as easy as multiplication, but it uses the / as its symbol.

=A5/B5

Notice the different amounts in column C even though all the figures are the same in columns A & B.

SUM

Finally if you have lots of numbers that need to be added use Excels SUM function to all these quickly. The formula is  =SUM(A9:A18)

The SUM tells Excel what to do with the data in the parenthesis. The : tells Excel to include all the cells between the two cell locations.

Finally if you have lots of numbers that need to be added use Excels SUM function to all these quickly. The formula is  =SUM(A9:A18)

The SUM tells Excel what to do with the data in the parenthesis. The : tells Excel to include all the cells between the two cell locations.

It’s ok to be afraid of Excels formulas but don’t allow them to make more work for you. Excel should be doing the work to make you more productive, efficient, and accurate.

If you think Excel takes too much time or is more of a hassle than using a calculator, then it is time to improve your Excel skills.

Excel should make your job and life easier, not more stressful.

Are you ready to stop paying hourly wages on tasks that could either be eliminated, automated, or take minutes instead of hours? Discover where you can save time and money in your business and click here to request your free consultation – today!