Quick start: Create a formula


The following table shows some examples of formulas and their descriptions.

Formula Description
=5+2*3     Adds 5 to the product of 2 times 3.
=SQRT(A1)     Uses the SQRT function to return the square root of the value in A1.
=TODAY()     Returns the current date.
=IF(A1>0,"Plus","Minus")     Tests the cell A1 to determine if it contains a value greater than 0. If the result of the test is true, the text "Plus" appears in the cell; if the result is false, the text "Minus" appears.


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Select a cell and start typing    


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Fill in the rest of the formula    

Do one of the following:


Creating formulas in different ways

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Complete the formula    


Your completed formulas might look like the following examples:

Formula Description
=3+7 Adds two numbers
=B1+C1+D1 Adds the values in three cells
=ABS(-3) Converts a number to its positive value

Next steps

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Applies to:
Excel 2010