How to Create an Excel Formula

One of the most important spreadsheet functions is using formulas to calculate values in cells (so one cell can be defined, say, as the sum of two others minus a third cell). When the values that make up a formula change, the cell that contains the formula's total value is automatically recalculated. These steps work for Microsoft Excel 97.

Things You'll Need

• Excel Book
• Microsoft Excel

Instructions

1. Start Microsoft Excel and open the file you want to change.

2. Double-click on the cell where you want the total to appear.

3. Press the = key on the keyboard. This tells Excel that you are entering a formula into the cell.

4. Enter the formula, then press Enter. Follow the steps below for an example.

5. Enter an opening parenthesis character: (.

6. Enter a cell name. For example: =(E2.

7. Press the + key.

8. Enter another cell name and a closing parenthesis character: ). For example: =(E2+E3).

9. Enter a minus sign and a third cell name. For example: =(E2+E3)-E4.

10. Press the Enter key to accept the formula. The cell will display the sum of the first two cells minus the third cell.

Tips & Warnings

• Formulas are just equations. Instead of adding or subtracting numbers you are adding and subtracting the contents of a cell.

• Excel includes a number of predefined functions to use as well. You can combine the predefined functions into your own formula. (See "How to Use Provided Excel Formulas.")