Square a number

You can square a number in Excel with the power function, which is represented by the carat ^ symbol. Use the formula =N^2, in which N is either a number or the value of the cell you want to square. This formula can be used multiple times throughout a worksheet.

Square a number in its own cell

Follow these steps:

1. Click inside a cell on your worksheet.

2. Type =N^2 into the cell, where N is the number you want to square. For example, to insert the square of 5 into cell A1, type =5^2 into the cell.  

   

3. Press Enter to see the result.

   Tip: You can also click into another cell to see the squared result.

   

Square a number in a different cell

Follow these steps:

1. Click inside a cell and type the number that you want to square.

2. Select another empty cell in the worksheet.

3. Type =N^2 into the empty cell, in which N is a cell reference that contains the numeric value you want to square. For example, to display the square of the value in cell A1 into cell B1, type =A1^2 into cell B1.

4. Press Enter to see the result.

Need more help?

You can always ask an expert in the Excel Tech Community or get support in the Answers community.

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