EXCEL 2007 FORMULAS – THE BASICS!
Excel 2007 formulas allow you to perform calculations on data entered into the spreadsheet.
You can use an Excel 2007 formula for basic number crunching, such as addition or
subtraction, as well as more complex calculations such as payroll deductions or averaging a
student's test results. In addition, if you change the data Excel will automatically recalculate
the answer without you having to re-enter the formula.
Basic Excel 2007 Formula Tutorial: Step 1 of 3
The following example creates a basic formula. The steps used to create this basic formula
are the same ones to follow when writing more complex formulas. The formula will add the
numbers 3 + 2. The final formula will look like this:
= E1 + E2
Step 1: Entering the data
Note: For help with this tutorial refer to the image above.
1. Type a 3 in cell E1 and press the ENTER key on the keyboard.
2. Type a 2 in cell E2 and press the ENTER key on the keyboard.
Basic Excel 2007 Formula Tutorial: Step 2 of 3
When creating formulas in Microsoft Excel, you ALWAYS start by typing the equal sign.
You type it in the cell where you want the answer to appear.
Note: For help with this example refer to the image above.
1. Click on cell E3 (outlined in black in the image) with your mouse pointer.
2. Type the equal sign ( = ) in cell E3.
Basic Excel 2007 Formula Tutorial: Step 3 of 3
Following the equal sign, we add in the cell references of the cells containing our data.
By using the cell references of our data in the formula, the formula will automatically update
the answer if the data in cells E1 and E2 changes.
The best way of adding cell references is by using the Excel feature called pointing. Pointing
allows you to click with your mouse on the cell containing your data to add its cell reference
to the formula.
After the equal sign added in step 2
1. Click on cell E1 with the mouse pointer to enter the cell reference into the formula.
2. Type a plus ( + ) sign.
3. Click on cell E2 with the mouse pointer to enter the cell reference into the formula.
4. Press the ENTER key on the keyboard.
5. The answer 5 should appear in cell E3.
6. Click on cell E3. The formula = E1 + E2 is shown in the formula bar above the
worksheet.
Mathematical Operators
Creating formulas in Microsoft Excel is not difficult. Just combine the cell references of your
data with the correct mathematical operator.
The mathematical operators used in Excel formulas are similar to the ones used in math class.
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Subtraction - minus sign ( - )
Addition - plus sign ( + )
Division - forward slash ( / )
Multiplication - asterisk ( * )
Exponentiation - caret ( ^ )
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Excel Order of Operations
If more than one operator is used in a formula, there is a specific order that Excel will
follow to perform these mathematical operations. This order of operations can be changed
by adding brackets to the equation. An easy way to remember the order of operations is to
use the acronym:
BEDMAS
The Order of Operations is:
Brackets
Exponents
Division
Multiplication
Addition
Subtraction
How the Order of Operations Works
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Any operation(s) contained in brackets will be carried out first followed by any
exponents.
After that, Excel considers division or multiplication operations to be of equal
importance, and carries out these operations in the order they occur left to right in the
equation.
The same goes for the next two operations – addition and subtraction. They are
considered equal in the order of operations. Which ever one appears first in an
equation, either addition or subtraction, is the operation carried out first.