A spreadsheet is a grid. Columns have letters (A, B, C…), rows have numbers, and every cell is named by its column then its row: B3 is column B, row 3.
Type a number or a word and the cell just holds it. Start with = and it becomes a formula: the cell shows the result, and the formula itself sits in the bar above the grid.
Formulas do arithmetic with +, -, * (times) and / (divide), and they can read other cells. =B2*C2 multiplies whatever is in B2 by whatever is in C2. Change B2 and the answer updates by itself. That is the whole point of a spreadsheet: work it out once, and it stays right when the numbers change.
In the practice grids, type your formula in the bar and press Enter. While you type, tap a cell to put its address in, or drag across cells for a range.
Practice
Start simple: in B1, type a formula that adds 18 and 24.
A
B
1
Sum
B1
More info
Quick reference
=
Starts every formula.
+ - * /
Add, subtract, multiply, divide.
^
To the power of: =2^3 is 8.
B2
A cell's address: column B, row 2.
The practice answers
Other formulas that give the same results count too.
Start simple: in B1, type a formula that adds 18 and 24. =18+24
Four coffees at 3.50 each. In D2, multiply the price by the quantity. =B2*C2
Add up the three days' sales in B5. =B2+B3+B4
Profit is sales minus costs. Work it out in B4. =B2-B3
Split the bill evenly. In B3, divide the bill by the number of people. =B1/B2
An unofficial course. Not made by or affiliated with Microsoft; Excel is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation.