Multiplying data in Excel is crucial for any kind of analysis or calculations you’re doing. Here’s how you can do it effectively using different methods.
Method 1: Using the PRODUCT
function
The PRODUCT
function is super handy for multiplying several numbers, cells, or ranges of cells together. It saves you from writing out a long multiplication formula and it’s the best way to multiply data when dealing with large sets of numbers.
- Select the cell where you want the multiplication result to appear.
- Type
=PRODUCT(
in the formula bar. - Now, select the cells or the range of cells you need to multiply. For example, if you want to multiply the values from cell B1 to B5, select that whole range.
- Close the parentheses and hit
Enter
. Your formula will look like this:=PRODUCT(B1:B5)
. You’ll see the result in the cell.
Method 2: Multiplication using the *
operator
You can also multiply numbers in Excel using the multiplication operator, which is the asterisk symbol *
. This method works well for simple calculations.
Multiplying numbers directly
- Click on the cell where you want the result to show up.
- Type
=
followed by the numbers you want to multiply, with*
between them. For instance, to multiply 5 by 10, type=5*10
. - Press
Enter
to display the result.
Multiplying cells
If you want to multiply values in different cells, reference the cells in your formula instead of typing the numbers directly.
- Select the cell where the result should go.
- Start with
=
, and then type the cell references separated by*
. To multiply cell A1 by B1, write=A1*B1
. - Press
Enter
to see the result.
Multiplying columns of numbers
To multiply two columns of data, you can set up a formula in the first row, and then copy it down for the other rows.
- In the first cell of the results column, enter the multiplication formula, referencing the cells in that row. For example, enter
=A1*B1
. - Hit
Enter
to get the product for the first row. - Click the result cell, and look for a tiny green square at the bottom right corner of the cell. This is the fill handle.
- Click and drag the fill handle downwards to apply the formula to all the other rows.
Multiplying multiple cells individually
If you need to multiply a bunch of specific cells that are not adjacent, you can include all the references in the formula.
- Choose the cell where you want the product to be.
- Input your formula referencing each cell with a
*
between them. For example,=A3*B2*A4*B5
. - Press
Enter
and you will see the product.
Multiplying a column by a constant number
When you need to multiply a column by a fixed number, you can use an absolute cell reference for the constant.
- Enter your constant in a cell, let’s say in cell B7.
- In your results column, write the formula using an absolute reference for the constant. For instance, use
=B1*$B$7
, with$B$7
locking the cell reference to B7. - Press
Enter
to calculate the product for the first row. - Use the fill handle to apply this formula to the rest of the cells in the column.
Method 3: Multiplying using Paste Special
If you find absolute cell references confusing, you can multiply a column by a constant using Paste Special without any complex formulas.
- Enter the constant number into a cell, like cell B7. Copy it by right-clicking and selecting copy or press
Ctrl + C
.
- Select all the cells you want to multiply and then right-click on selected cells and choose Paste Special.
- In the paste special dialog box, under the operation section, select multiply and hit
OK
.
Excel multiplies all the values by your constant, replacing the originals.