How To Carry Out Simple And Advanced Calculation In Microsoft Excel

Lately, some visitors to my blog sent an email to me asking a series of questions, which prompted me to write this post. Questions such as: How do you create a formula in Excel? How do you calculate 20% in Excel? How do you calculate the total on Excel?

A basic and advanced mathematical calculation can be done using a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. You can enter numbers and formulas in cells. These cells can be referenced to perform calculations in their contents whether you enter a number of formulas. Many a time when it is required to do simple arithmetic operation on the numerical values entered into the cells of excel spreadsheet.

In this article, I will be taken you through simple arithmetic and advanced calculations with Microsoft excel. In our day-to-day calculation, we add, subtract, multiply, divide, and raise values to the power of another number. I will be starting with the addition of numbers and subsequently with subtraction, multiplication, division, and exponentiation. So, get set and follow me along as I teach you simple and advanced calculation operation in Microsoft excel.

Note: to write or perform any arithmetic expression, the calculation, and formulas, you must start it with the equal to sign (=) in the cell that will contain the result of the arithmetic operation.

Content Outline

• Addition of Numbers
• Subtraction of Numbers
• Multiplication of Numbers
• Exponentiation
• Using Excel Functions

Addition of Numbers

To add numbers in Microsoft Excel, follow the steps given below:

 Type Add in cell A1.

Press Enter. The cursor moves down one cell.

Type 1 in cell A2.

Press Enter. The cursor moves down one cell.

Type 2 in cell A3.

Press Enter. The cursor moves down one cell.

Type =A2+A3 in cell A4

Click the checkmark on the formula bar. Excel adds cell A1 to cell A2 and displays the result in cell A4.

The formula you entered will be displayed on the formula bar shown in the image below.

Note: clicking the checkmark on the formula bar is similar to pressing the Enter key. Excel records your entry but does not move to the next cell.

Subtraction of Numbers

Follow the steps below to subtract numbers in Microsoft excel:

Press F5 to display the “Go to dialogue box”.

Type B1 in the Go to reference field.

Press Enter. Excel moves to cell B1.

Type Subtract.

Press Enter. Excel moves down one cell.

Type 6 in cell B2.

Press Enter. Excel moves down one cell.

Type 3 in cell B3.

Press Enter. Excel moves down one cell.

Type =B2-B3 in cell B4.

Click the checkmark on the formula bar. Excel subtracts cell B3 fro cell B2 and the result displays in cell B4. The formula displays on the formula bar.

Multiplication of Numbers

You will recall when we were subtracting, we press F5 to display the “Go to” dialogue box. Another way of doing the same is by holding down the control key while pressing the “G” (Ctrl + G).the Go to dialogue box appears.

Type C1 in the Go to reference field.

Press Enter. Excel moves down one cell.

Type Multiply.

Press Enter. Excel moves down one cell.

Type 2 in cell C2.

Press Enter. Excel moves down one cell.

Type 3 in cell C3.

Press Enter. Excel moves down one cell.

Type =C2*C3 in cell C4.

Click the checkmark on the formula bar. Excel multiplies C1 by cell C2 and displays the result in cell C3. The formula displays on the formula bar.

Division of Numbers

To reference or go to a particular cell, you can just click on the cell to select it.

Click on cell D1.

Press Enter. Excel moves down one cell.

Type Divide in cell D1.

Press Enter. Excel moves down one cell.

Type 6 in cell D2.

Press Enter. Excel moves down one cell.

Type 3 in cell D3.

Press Enter. Excel moves down one cell.

Type = D2/D3 in cell D4.

Click the checkmark on the formula bar. Excel divides D2 by cell D3 and displays the result in cell D4. The formula displays on the formula bar.

Exponentiation

In mathematics, numbers are raised to the power of another. For example, 2^{5 =} 2*2*2*2*2, and 10⁶ = 10*10*10*10*10*10. In Microsoft excel, the caret symbol (^) to indicate exponential of numbers.

Click on cell D5.

Type = D4^2.excel displays……..

Using Excel Functions

Check back for this part. Thank you for the time spent reading this article