Excel Formula Builder Button Update Automatically When

Former Lifewire writer Ted French is a Microsoft Certified Professional who teaches and writes about spreadsheets and spreadsheet programs.

Ryan Perian is a certified IT specialist who holds numerous IT certifications and has 12 years experience working in the IT industry support and management positions.

The multiplication sign or operator used in Excel formulas is the asterisk ( ) symbol.

This article explains multiplication in Excel for versions 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, Excel Online, and Excel for Mac.

But its much better to enter the data into worksheet cells and then use the addresses or references of those cells in the formula.

The main advantage of using cell references in a formula, rather than the actual data, can be seen when the data in the cells is changed.

When the actual data is used for the calculation, the formula needs to be rewritten.

Excel Formula Builder Button Update Automatically When

When using cell references, the results of the formula update automatically when the data in the target cells change.

This minimizes the possibility of errors created by typing the wrong cell reference.

Select cell A1 to enter that cell reference into the formula.

To test the value of using cell references in a formula, change the number in cell A2 from 20 to 5 and press Enter.

The answer in cell C1 automatically updates to 50 to reflect the change in data in cell A2.

Select the cell containing the formula and rewrite the entire formula.

To write more complex formulas that include multiple operations (such as subtraction, addition, and division, as well as multiplication), add the correct mathematical operators in the correct order followed by the cell references containing the data.

For practice, try this step by step example of a more complex formula.

Excel For Mac Formula Builder Button