Multiply and divide numbers

Multiplying and dividing in Excel is easy, but you need to create a simple formula to do it. Just remember that all formulas in Excel begin with an equal sign (=), and you can use the formula bar to create them.

Do any of the following:

Multiply two or more numbers in one cell

1. Click any blank cell, and then type an equal sign (=) to start a formula.

2. After the equal sign (=), type a few numbers that are separated by an asterisk (*), which Excel uses as a multiplication sign.

   For example, type 50*10*5.

3. Press RETURN .

   If you use the example numbers, the result is 2500.

   Note: If you see a date instead of the result that you expected, select the cell, and then on the Home tab, under Number, click General on the pop-up menu.

Multiply numbers using cell references

A cell reference combines the column letter and row number, such as A1 or F345. When you use cell references in a formula instead of the cell value, you can change the value without having to change the formula.

1. Type numbers in cells C1 and D1.

   For example, type 5 and 3.

2. In cell E1, type an equal sign (=) to start the formula.

3. After the equal sign, type C1*D1.

4. Press RETURN .

   If you use the example numbers, the result is 15.

   Note: If you change the value of C1 or D1 and then press RETURN , the value of E1 will change, even though the formula did not.

Divide numbers in one cell

1. Click any blank cell, and then type an equal sign (=) to start a formula.

2. After the equal sign (=), type two numbers that are separated by a forward slash (/).

   For example, type 10/5.

3. Press RETURN .

   The result is 2.

   Note: If you see a date instead of the result that you expected, select the cell, and then on the Home tab, under Number, click General on the pop-up menu.

Divide numbers using cell references

A cell reference combines the column letter and row number, such as A1 or F345. When you use cell references in a formula instead of the cell value, you can change the value without having to change the formula.

1. Type a number, such as 3, in cell C1, and then type another number, such as 5, in D1.

2. In cell E1, type an equal sign (=) to start the formula.

3. After the equal sign, type C1/D1.

4. Press RETURN .

   If you use the example numbers, the result is 0.6.

   Note: If you change the value of C1 or D1 and then press RETURN , the value of E1 will change, even though the formula did not.

See also

Use Excel as your calculator

Add and subtract numbers

Calculation operators and order of operations