What if you wanted to add more numbers? You could always add them manually using + or you could use SUM a formula to sum up all the values in the given range.

You should find that they work pretty much as you would expect them to. Have a go at using these formula in the ‘play sheet’ of your spreadsheet until you feel comfortable with them. If you want the formula above to result in 16 you’ll need to type: =(3+5)*2 If you want to change the order of function you’ll need parentheses: Formulas inside parentheses will be evaluated before any other formula. If you’re not sure why or can’t quite remember the rules, check out this basic introduction. For example, the formula =3+5*2 will give you 13, NOT 16. It is worth remembering that basic maths rules about the order of functions apply.

/: Divide (this would be ‘÷’ on a calculator).

*: Multiply (this would be ‘x’ on a calculator).

(NOTE: A spreadsheet assumes that everything that begins with an ‘=’ is a formula… so be careful how you use it!)

This is the first thing that should go in your formula cell. =: Tells your spreadsheet that you are writing a formula.These are all ‘basic maths functions’ - the kind of things you would find on a simple calculator. Now that you have a sense of how spreadsheet formula work, here’s a quick introduction to some of the most common formula symbols that you are likely to come across. There is sample data for this tutorial here: A quick introduction to common spreadsheet symbols Other spreadsheet programs work in a similar way - play around and see how they differ. This tutorial uses Google spreadsheets to analyse data.

Quick spreadsheet functions