Inserting an Equation or a Formula into a Cell

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Inserting an Equation or a Formula into a Cell

To insert a number or word in a cell, you normally position the cursor on the target cell and type the word or number, then press Enter or click the cursor on another cell. To type a formula or an equation into a cell, you click the cursor on the target cell and then an = sign, then your formula (for example, the formula in cell B12 in Exhibit B.1). The formula is shown on the formula bar at the top of the spreadsheet. Be aware that Excel is very sensitive to the order of mathematical operations, so your formulas must be very clearly stated. In general, you use an * to show multiplication and a / to show division.