A formula is a cell entry that calculates values to return a result. Each Excel formula must have three key elements: the equal sign ( = ) that signifies that the entry is a formula, the values or cell references to be calculated, and the mathematical operators, such as a plus sign ( + ) for addition or a minus sign ( - ) for subtraction. All Excel formulas must begin with the equal sign. The equal sign tells Excel that the entry is a formula. If your formula begins without an equal sign, Excel treats it as a regular cell entry and doesn't perform the calculation.
Mathematical OperatorsWhen you create a formula in Excel, you need to include an operator. All formulas must contain mathematical operators so that Excel knows what calculation to perform. Table 44.1 lists the arithmetic operators used in Excel. Table 44.1. Excel Formula Operators
Figure 44.1 shows a very simple formula. The intent is pretty clear; the formula asks Excel to multiply 8 by 47 . Figure 44.1. The formula in cell A1 contains a mathematical operator.
Order of OperationsIn a simple formula, such as the one shown in Figure 44.1, Excel is asked to perform only one calculation. However, formulas can often contain instructions to perform multiple calculations. If you were to talk out a more complicated formula, you might say something like this: Add together the price of a toy truck that costs $18.75 and a doll that costs $13.00 and then multiply the combined price by 7.5% sales tax to determine the sales tax due on the combined cost of the toys. You might think that you'd enter the value for the formula this way: =18.75+13.00*.075 However, if you typed that formula in a cell, Excel would produce the wrong answer. The reason is that Excel uses something called operator precedence to perform calculations. Operator precedence determines the order in which calculations are performed. Calculations are performed from left to right in the following order:
The best way to force Excel to calculate your formulas correctly is to use parentheses. Group the values and operators that you want to calculate first in parentheses. For example, the formula (18.75+13.00)*.075 tells Excel to first add the numbers within the parentheses and then to calculate the sales tax percentage on the total. You can even nest parentheses within parentheses to further break down how you want Excel to calculate your formula. Just remember that each opening parenthesis must have a closing parenthesis. If your formula does not contain the required number of parentheses, Excel displays an error message similar to the one in Figure 44.2. Excel even attempts to place the missing parenthesis. If your formula doesn't contain the proper number of parentheses, Excel displays each parentheses set in a different color , to help you track your error. Figure 44.2. Excel tells you when a formula has not been entered correctly.
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