The order of operations

Abstract

When evaluating a formula, Excel follows a standard math protocol.

First, any expressions in parentheses are evaluated.

Next, Excel will solve for any exponents.

After exponents, Excel will perform multiplication and division.

Finally, Excel will solve for addition and subtraction.

Our first example is “3 plus 4 divided by 2”.

Without any parentheses, Excel will perform division first, then addition.

So, 4 divided by 2 = 2, plus 3, which equals 5.

Now, Excel will evaluate the formula as 3 + 4 = 7, divided by 2 = 3.5.

Our next example is “5 minus 3 squared”.

Without parentheses, Excel will evaluate this as 5 minus 3 squaredsolving the exponent first.

So, 5 minus 9 = -4.

Now Excel will evaluate the formula as 5 minus 3 = 2, squared = 4.

The order of operations works exactly the same with cell references.

We can re-write our first example as =C9+D6/F7.

Use parentheses any time you want to ensure that Excel performs one operation before another.