Order of Operation in Excel

Question

What is the Order of Operation in Excel?

Answer

When performing calculations in a formula, Excel follows certain rules of precedence:  Excel calculates expressions within parentheses first, then it will calculate exponents.  Excel calculates multiplication and division before addition and subtraction.  Excel calculates consecutive operators with the same level of precedence from left to right. 

For example, the formula = 10+10*2 gives a result of 30 as Excel multiplies 10 by 2 and then adds 10. However, the formula =(10+10)*2 produces a result of 40. This is because Excel calculates the expression (10+10) within the parentheses first. It then multiplies by 2. 
If you are unsure of the order in which Excel calculates, use parentheses - even if the parentheses aren't necessary. Parentheses also make your formulas easier to read. 

For more information about Formulas and Functions in Excel, please view the full tutorial from the CTL here: Excel Part 3

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Article ID: 7957
Created
Thu 12/29/22 1:59 PM
Modified
Fri 11/3/23 4:03 PM
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