Why Every Formula Starts With Equals
Discover how the = sign tells the spreadsheet to calculate instead of show text.
What Is a Formula?
A formula tells your spreadsheet to calculate for you. The magic is one character: the equals sign =, which flips a cell from text into math.
=2+2Text vs. Calculation
Type 2+2 with no equals and the cell just shows the text "2+2." Type =2+2 and it shows 4. The leading = switches on calculate mode.
=2+2All 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