How to Multiply on Excel: A Step-By-Step Guide

Are you a numbers nerd looking to level up your spreadsheet game? Or maybe you're a Excel newbie, trying to figure out the basics of formulas and functions. Either way, you've come to the right place! Today, I'm excited to share my Excel expertise with you and teach you how to multiply numbers in Excel. Multiply? You might be thinking, "That's easy, I just use the * symbol, right?" Technically, yes. But there are actually a few different ways to multiply in Excel, depending on your needs. So, let's dive in!

Method 1: The Asterisk (*)

Ah, the classic multiplication symbol. This method is simple and straightforward, but may not be the most efficient if you're working with a large dataset. To use the asterisk method, simply select the cell where you want your answer to appear and type in the formula using the * symbol. For example, if you want to multiply the values in cells A1 and B1, your formula would be: ``` =A1*B1 ``` Easy, right? But what if you're working with an entire column or row of numbers? You could go through and manually enter the formula for each cell, but that's a lot of tedious work. Instead, try using Method 2.

Method 2: The Fill Handle

The Fill Handle is a powerful tool in Excel that allows you to quickly and easily fill in a series of cells with a formula or value. Here's how to use it to multiply: 1. Enter your formula in the first cell. 2. Hover your mouse over the bottom right corner of the cell until the cursor turns into a thin black cross. 3. Click and drag the fill handle down (or across) to the cells you want to fill. 4. Release the mouse button. Excel will automatically fill in the formula for each cell you selected, adjusting the cell references as needed. Here's an example: In this example, I've used the Fill Handle to multiply the values in column A by the value in cell B1. As you can see, Excel automatically adjusted the formula for each cell, making it much faster and easier than manually typing in each formula.

Method 3: The PRODUCT Function

If you're working with a large dataset or complex formulas, the PRODUCT function might be your best bet. The PRODUCT function multiplies all of the values in a given range. To use the PRODUCT function, simply enter the formula with the range of cells you want to multiply. For example, if you want to multiply all the values in cells A1:A4, your formula would be: ``` =PRODUCT(A1:A4) ``` The PRODUCT function can also be used in combination with other functions. For example, if you want to multiply all of the values in column A by 10% (i.e. multiply by 0.1), your formula would be: ``` =PRODUCT(A1:A4)*0.1 ```

Final Thoughts

And there you have it! Three different methods to multiply on Excel, depending on your needs. Whether you prefer the classic * symbol, the time-saving Fill Handle, or the powerful PRODUCT function, Excel has you covered. So go forth and multiply! And if you ever forget these formulas, don't worry - there's always Google.