Course / Spreadsheet Basics

Order of operations

Use parentheses to control what Excel calculates first. Beginner · 3 min · Parentheses, Precedence

Excel follows the same rules as maths class. It calculates in this order:

1. Anything in parentheses ( ) 2. Powers ^ 3. Multiplication and division * / 4. Addition and subtraction + -

So =2+3*4 is 14, but =(2+3)*4 is 20.

Steps

1. Work out Maya's average in D2: add both tests, then divide by 2. You'll need parentheses.

2. Fill in the averages for Leo and Priya in D3 and D4.

3. Now the weighted score in E2: Test 1 counts 40% and Test 2 counts 60%. Multiply each score by its weight and add the two results.

4. Complete the weighted scores for E3 and E4.

Remember

• Order: parentheses, powers, × and ÷, then + and −.
• When in doubt, add parentheses. They make the intent obvious.

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