Equations in Excel

What Do You Mean by Equations in Excel?

Equations in excel are none other than our formulas which we type in cell, to write an equation we start with an equals to sign (=) which excel recognizes as to calculate and then we use variables which are connected with each other with some operators, depending upon the operators we get results, an equation can be both linear or non linear.

Explanation

In an excel equation, we use two things:

1. Cell References
2. Operators

Cell references are cells like A1, B1, or range of cells A1:A3 and so on, whereas operators are the basic operators such as + for sum – for subtraction * for multiplication and so on.

Like a calculator, Excel can execute formulas such as addition, subtraction, etc. One of the most useful features of  MS Excel is the ability to calculate using a cell address to represent a value in a cell.

This is the basic definition of the cell referenceCell ReferenceCell reference in excel is referring the other cells to a cell to use its values or properties. For instance, if we have data in cell A2 and want to use that in cell A1, use =A2 in cell A1, and this will copy the A2 value in A1.read more.

Excel uses both cell reference and basic operators to make an equation.

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How to Use Equations in Excel? (with Examples)

To make an equation in excel, we need to keep three things in mind:

1. Every equation starts with an equals sign.
2. Excel uses cell addresses as values in excel.
3. Operators are used to making an equation.

Example #1

I have my own monthly budget for the past five months. The budget includes data for rent, food, electricity, credit card, and car.

Bills	Jan	Feb	March	Apr	May
Rent	7000	7000	7000	7000	7000
Electricity	500	600	550	680	590
Food	3750	3600	3300	3800	3500
Credit Card	5000	5500	6000	5698	5632
Car	2100	2200	2300	2400	2500
Total

In the first example, we will create an equation for the sum or addition of the bills for each month.

Also, there is an inbuilt function in excel, which gives us the same result, but it saves us the time of giving each cell reference one at a time.

• Step #1 – In the cell C7, start with typing an equals to sign and type sum then press Tab; it opens an inbuilt sum function for us.

• Step #2 – Now select the range of cells from C2 to C6 and press enter.

This also gives the addition of total money spent in the month of February.

• Step #3 – Repeat the same process for the month of March April & may get the total money spent for the respective months.

I have my money spent on all the months.

Example #2

The above example was a simple addition using equations. Let us make a complex equation.

This time I want to excel to intimate if my money spent was high or average. If the amount spent in total for five months is above 10000, then it should show as “High” else it should show as “Average.” In this type of equation, the operators used are “If Statement.”

• Step #1 – First, we need to total the money spent on each bill. In cell G2, we will create an equation for the addition of the money spent on rent for five months. We start by typing an equals sign and type Sum, then press the tab button.

• Step #2 – Select the cell references B2 to F6, and press enter.

• Step #3 – We repeat the same addition equation for each and every bill.

• Step #4 – Now in cell H2, type an equals sign and type If then press Tab.

• Step #5 – To better understand the If equation, click on fx in the function address bar, and a dialog box pops up.

• Step #6 – In the logical testIn The Logical TestA logical test in Excel results in an analytical output, either true or false. The equals to operator, “=,” is the most commonly used logical test.read more, we will insert our logic, which is the total of bills is greater than 10000. Select range G2 to G6 and insert operator “>” greater than and type 10000.

• Step #7 – If the value is true means the total is greater than 10000, we want it to show as high else average.

• Step #8 – As we are giving excel value in the string, to start and end it with inverted commas. Click on ok.

• Step #9 – Drag the formula to cell H6, and we have our final output.

In the above example, we have used cell references and If statement as an operator to make an equation.

Things to Remember

1. Always remember to start an equation with an equals sign.
2. Creating an equation with cell reference is useful because we can update our data without having to rewrite the formula.
3. Excel will not always tell us if our equation is wrong or not. So it’s up to us to check all of our equations.

Recommended Articles

This has been a guide to Equations in Excel. Here we discuss how to create simple formulas in excel using examples of SUM and IF Formula in excel and downloadable excel templates. You may also look at these useful excel tools –

• Two-Variable Data Table in Excel
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• Sentence Case in Excel