Understanding Formulas


Formulas are used to calculate the values of data entered into other cells in your spreadsheet. A formula can consist of numbers, mathematical operators, and the contents of other cells (referred to by the cell reference).

Note

The cell reference is simply the location of a particular cell. Each cell is referenced by the intersection of a column and row; thus, the top-left cell is called A1 (for column A, row 1). The cell reference for the current cell is always listed in the Reference area of the workspace.


You construct a formula from the following elements:

  • An equals sign (=); this = sign is necessary at the start of each formula

  • One or more specific numbers and/or

  • One or more cell references

  • A mathematical operator (such as + or -); this is needed if your formula contains more than one cell reference or number

The best way to get used to formulas is to look at a few. That said, Table 8 shows a few representative formulas:

Table 8. Representative Google Spreadsheets Formulas

Formula

Result

=2

Places the numerical value 2 in the selected cell

=A1

Places the value of cell A1 in the selected cell

=A1*2

Places the value of cell A1 multiplied by 2 in the selected cell

=A1/2

Places the value of cell A1 divided by 2 in the selected cell

=A1+A2

Places the value of cell A1 plus the value of cell A2 in the selected cell

=(A1+A2)/2

Places the value of cell A1 plus the value of cell A2, all divided by 2, in the selected cell


Note that Google Spreadsheets formulas can contain common algebraic expressions and follow common algebraic conventions and logic. Table 9 lists the accepted operators for Google Spreadsheets formulas.

Table 9. Accepted Operators for Google Spreadsheets Formulas

Operator

Description

+

Addition

-

Subtraction

*

Multiplication

/

Division

^

Exponentiation (to the power of)

=

Equal to

>

Greater than

>=

Greater than or equal to

<

Less than

<=

Less than or equal to

<>

Not equal to

%

Percentage





Using Google Spreadsheets
Using Google Spreadsheets
ISBN: B000P28WL2
EAN: N/A
Year: 2007
Pages: 78

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