Unit 1 of 12
Cells and formulas
Read the grid, write your first formulas.
Key ideas
Every cell has an address
C4Column letter first, then row number. C4 is column C, row 4.
Formulas start with =
=B2*C2Without the =, Excel stores your text as plain words instead of calculating.
Math follows the usual order
=2+3*4Multiplication and division happen before addition and subtraction. Use parentheses to change the order.
Lesson 1: Meet the grid
What is the address of the cell in column C, row 4?
- C4
- 4C
- R4C3
- CC4
Show answer
C4. Excel addresses are column letter first, then row number.
Every Excel formula starts with which character?
- =
- +
- @
- #
Show answer
=. The = sign tells Excel to calculate instead of storing text.
Match each term to its meaning
- Cell
- One box in the grid
- Range
- A block like A1:A5
- Formula
- A calculation starting with =
- Row
- A numbered horizontal line
Revenue is units times price. Calculate it for the Notebook in D2.
A B C D 1 Product Units Price Revenue 2 Notebook 120 3.5 3 Pen 340 1.25 4 Stapler 45 12 Hint: Type = then click B2, type *, then click C2.
Show answer
=B2*C2in D2. Pointing at cells means the answer updates automatically if units or price change.Build a formula that multiplies B3 by C3
Show answer
=B3*C3. An asterisk * is the multiplication sign in Excel.
Lesson 2: Basic arithmetic
Which operator multiplies two numbers in Excel?
- *
- x
- ×
- #
Show answer
*. Excel uses * for multiply and / for divide.
What will C1 show?
A B C 1 10 4 C1 contains
=A1-B1*2Show answer
2. B1*2 is calculated first (8), then 10 minus 8 is 2.
How much budget is left for Groceries? Subtract Actual from Budget in D2.
A B C D 1 Category Budget Actual Left 2 Groceries 600 684.35 3 Rent 1500 1500 4 Transport 250 198.4 5 Dining 200 262.9 6 Utilities 180 171.25 7 Fun 150 95 Hint: Budget is in B2, Actual is in C2.
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=B2-C2in D2. Remaining budget is Budget minus Actual.Build a formula that averages A2 and B2 by hand
Show answer
=(A2+B2)/2. Parentheses make the addition happen before the division.What will A1 show?
A 1 A1 contains
=2+3*4Show answer
14. 3*4 is 12 first, then 2+12 is 14.
Lesson 3: Ranges and percents
How many cells are in the range A1:A5?
- 5
- 4
- 6
- 1
Show answer
5. A1:A5 covers rows 1 through 5 in column A.
How many cells are in the range B2:C4?
- 6
- 4
- 3
- 8
Show answer
6. 2 columns (B and C) times 3 rows (2, 3, 4) makes 6 cells.
What will B1 show?
A B 1 3 B1 contains
=A1^2Show answer
9. The ^ operator raises to a power. 3 squared is 9.
Sales tax is 8%. Calculate the tax on the Notebook price in E2.
A B C D E 1 Product Region Units Price Tax 2 Notebook East 120 3.5 3 Pen West 340 1.25 4 Stapler East 45 12 5 Binder North 80 6.75 6 Marker West 210 2.4 7 Folder North 150 1.9 Hint: Multiply the price in D2 by 8%. You can type 8% or 0.08.
Show answer
=D2*0.08in E2. Excel understands 8% and 0.08 as the same number.Match the operator to what it does
- +
- Add
- -
- Subtract
- /
- Divide
- ^
- Power