| Step |
Screen
and explanation |
Comments |
1:
Select the cell where you wish the formula result to appear. |
 |
In this
example, we intend to calculate profits (in cell B3) by subtracting expenses from
revenues. So we begin by placing the cursor in cell B3. |
2:
Type an = (this lets Excel know that you're starting the formula). |
 The = shows in the formula bar and in the cell indicated by the
cursor. The formula bar goes active, with red Cancel, green Enter, and black Edit Formula
icons. |
n.b. The
function drop-down list in the left side of the formula bar also goes active. In this
case, it suggests using the SUM function, because Excel is guessing (incorrectly) that you
want to add the numbers in the cells above the cursor. |
3:
Using the cursor, click on the first cell that you wish to have included in the formula. |
 |
Excel selects
1,000 (the revenues figure), and adds its cell location (B1) to the formula. |
4:
Type the arithmetic operator (i.e., +,-,*,/,( ) that you wish to use in the formula. This
locks in the cell that you just pointed to, and tells Excel what you want to do with it. |
 |
Typing the
minus sign (-) locks in cell B1 as part of the formula. Excel is now waiting for you to
show it the next location to build into the formula. |
5:
Using the cursor, point at (e.g., click on) the next cell you wish to have included in the
formula. |
 |
Clicking on
the cell that contains 800 adds its location (i.e., B2) to the formula. Note that you do
not need to worry about the exact location of the number: all you have to do is click on
it. |
6:
Type the next arithmetic operator. Note that you can use parentheses for more complex
formulas. |
In
this example, the equation is now finished: all you have to do is hit the Enter key. See
step 8 below. |
|
7:
Continue steps 3 to 6 until your formula is complete. |
|
|
8:
Press the Enter key to finish building the formula. The cell you selected in step 1 should
now show the result. |
 |
Pressing
Enter places the formula in cell B3 and moves the cursor down one row to cell B4. To see
the formula again, click on cell B3 and look at the formula bar. |
