Order of Operations in Formulas
Control which calculation happens first using parentheses and operator priority.
Order of Operations in Formulas is a free Excel Formulas Academy lesson on CoddyKit — lesson 4 of 4. You can read the complete lesson below for free — then practise it hands-on in the browser with a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor. It is part of the Excel Formulas Academy learning path, one of 4 lessons in the course, and your progress syncs across the web and the CoddyKit app.
Order Changes the Answer
When a formula mixes operators, the order matters. In =2+3*4, multiply-first gives 14, add-first gives 20. The spreadsheet always picks one order: 14.
=2+3*4The Priority Rules
Spreadsheets follow a fixed priority called PEMDAS: parentheses, then exponents, then multiply and divide, then add and subtract last.
=2+3*4Multiplication Before Addition
Since multiply outranks add, =2+3*4 does 3*4 first, then adds 2 to get 14. Same for divide: =20-6/2 divides first, giving 17, not 7.
=20-6/2Parentheses Take Control
To force a different order, wrap the part you want first in parentheses. =2+3*4 is 14, but =(2+3)*4 is 20.
=(2+3)*4Why This Matters: Averages
A classic mistake is averaging without parentheses. =A1+A2+A3/3 only divides A3 by 3. Wrap the sum first, as the formula below shows.
=(A1+A2+A3)/3Left to Right Within a Tier
When operators share the same priority, the sheet works left to right. In =12/4*2, it does 12/4 first (3), then times 2, giving 6.
=12/4*2Exponents With the Caret
Powers use the caret ^ and rank above multiply and divide. So =2*3^2 squares 3 first (9), then times 2 gives 18.
=2*3^2Worked Example: Total With Tax
Say price is 100, quantity 3, and tax 10%. The formula below totals price times quantity in parentheses (300), then times 1.10 for tax, giving 330.
=(A1*A2)*1.10Nesting Parentheses
Parentheses can nest inside each other. The sheet solves the innermost pair first. In =((2+3)*4)-1: 2+3 is 5, times 4 is 20, minus 1 is 19.
=((2+3)*4)-1Parentheses for Clarity
Even when not required, parentheses make intent clear. =A1*A2+B1*B2 and =(A1*A2)+(B1*B2) match, but the second reads more easily.
=(A1*A2)+(B1*B2)Count Your Brackets
A common error is mismatched parentheses. Count your opening and closing brackets; they must be equal. Excel and Sheets color-match pairs to help you.
=(A1+A2)/2Quick Check
Put order of operations to the test.
Recap
Recap: priority follows PEMDAS, ties go left to right, and parentheses force a different order, like =(A1+A2+A3)/3 to average correctly.
=(A1+A2+A3)/3Frequently asked questions
Is the “Order of Operations in Formulas” lesson free?
Yes — the full text of “Order of Operations in Formulas” is free to read here on the web, and the Excel Formulas Academy course includes 4 lessons in total. To practise it interactively (a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor) and unlock the rest of the Excel Formulas Academy course, upgrade to CoddyKit PRO.
What will I learn in “Order of Operations in Formulas”?
Control which calculation happens first using parentheses and operator priority. You practise Excel Formulas Academy with hands-on code you run directly in the browser, and a 24/7 AI tutor answers your questions as you work through the lesson.
Do I need any experience to start Excel Formulas Academy?
No prior experience is required. Excel Formulas Academy on CoddyKit is structured for beginners through advanced learners; this is — lesson 4 of 4, so you can start here or from the beginning and move at your own pace.
How long does the “Order of Operations in Formulas” lesson take?
Most CoddyKit lessons take about 5–10 minutes. Each one is bite-sized and interactive, so you make steady progress and pick up exactly where you left off across the web and the app.
Can I write and run code in this Excel Formulas Academy lesson?
Yes. Every Excel Formulas Academy lesson includes a built-in code editor, so you write and run real code right in your browser and get instant AI feedback — no local setup required.
All lessons in this course
- Why Every Formula Starts With Equals
- Adding and Subtracting in a Cell
- Multiplying and Dividing Values
- Order of Operations in Formulas