How to Use the Log Function in Excel

Learn how to use the log function in Excel.

Microsoft Office Excel is a spreadsheet application included in the Microsoft Office suite. It's commonly used to analyze large amounts of data through complex formula calculations. According to Peter Alfeld in the Department of Math at the University of Utah, "the logarithm of a number 'y' with respect to base 'b' is the exponent to which we have to raise 'b' to obtain 'y'." In a few steps, you can write a log formula in Excel and get a result.

Instructions

1. Open Microsoft Office Excel.

2. Type the following on Sheet1:

   Type "Value" on "A1," "Base" on "B1," and "Exponent" on "C1."

   Type "9" on "A2," "3" on "B2," and "=LOG(A2, B2)" on "C1."

3. The result of your log function will appear on "C1."

   The formula above is equal to "Log3 (9) = 2"

References

• Microsoft: Formulas to Find the Log
• The University of Utah: What on Earth is a Logarithm