Free demo · Microsoft Excel · Lesson 2 · Basics · Formulas

Your first formula, the fill handle and AutoSum

Every formula starts with =. Point at cells instead of typing numbers, and Excel recalculates when the numbers change.

Item | Qty | Price | Total Pen | 10 | 5 | =B2*C2→50 Notebook | 4 | 40 | =B3*C3→160 School bag | 1 | 450 | =B4*C4→450 Ruler | 6 | 10 | =B5*C5→60 [b]Total | | | [b]=SUM(D2:D5)→720
  1. 1Click D2 and type =B2*C2 (the * means multiply)
  2. 2Press Enter: 10 × 5 = 50
  3. 3Drag the fill handle down: =B3*C3, =B4*C4… adjust by themselves
  4. 4In D6 press Alt + = (AutoSum): =SUM(D2:D5)
  5. ✓Enter: 720. Change a quantity and every total updates
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  5. Enrol

Tip: press → or Space to step through, ← to go back, R to replay.

About this lesson

An Excel formula always begins with an equals sign. Typing =B2*C2 multiplies the quantity in B2 by the price in C2. Because the formula uses cell references instead of numbers, dragging the fill handle copies it down the column and each row adjusts automatically (relative references). AutoSum (Alt + =) inserts =SUM(D2:D5) to total the column, and every result recalculates the moment a number changes.

Key points

  • Formulas start with = and use cell references
  • Relative references and the fill handle
  • AutoSum with Alt + =