One of the strengths of a spreadsheet program is the ability to manipulate data by adding, subtracting, dividing and multiplying values. To do this, you will create or apply formulas, within an active cell, which might look like this =((A4+A5)*(B6-B4)). The following symbols or operators are used to create formulas:

=	Indicates that the information you are entering is a formula instead of a value.
()	Parentheses are used to enclose a formula, for example, =(A4+A5). Parentheses can be nested multiple times if necessary. When internal parentheses are not used, Excel will use the logical order of operations to evaluate a formula expression.
+	Indicates that you wish to add the values of the cells in the formula, for example, =(A4+A5+A6).
-	Indicates that you wish to subtract the values of the cells in the formula, for example, =(A7-A5-A2) or =(A10-A8).
*	Indicates that you would like to multiply the values of the cells in the formula, for example, =(A2*B2).
/	Indicates that you want to divide the values in the cells in the formula, i.e. =(A2/B2).
:	Indicates that you want to apply a formula or function to a range of cells, i.e. B4:B10 (more on functions in the Using Functions section).

Exercise: Creating an Addition Formula Select cell B7. Click the = button on the formula bar. In the formula field, write the following (b3+b4+b5+b6). Press Enter on the keyboard. The total will be 678200.

The ( ) format tells Excel which cells and functions you want to specify.

Other more complex mathematical formulas are also available through your function button on the toolbar, and as a pull-down menu in your formula field after you have selected a cell range.

If you want to copy a formula to another cell where it will be used later, highlight the cell and click on the copy button. Move the mouse pointer and highlight the location where you want the formula to appear, and click on the paste button. You can also access the the cut/copy/paste commands by left clicking on the Edit button in the menu bar, or by highlighting the the cells to be moved and right clicking. Either of these options will cause a pull-down menu to be displayed.