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In Excel, never do math in your head and type the answer in a cell where you would expect to have a formula calculate the answer.īefore moving on, let's explore some more formulas to make sure you understand the order of operations by which Excel calculates an answer. When using formulas with cell references, the results change each time the numbers are edited.
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If you enter a formula that contains several operations-like adding, subtracting, and dividing-Excel XP knows to work these operations in a specific order. The order of mathematical operations is important.
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Complex formulas involve more than one mathematical operation. Simple formulas have one mathematical operation.
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