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Computer Tips

Excel - Calculation order of precedence

2/15/2016

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Did you know that there is a default order in which calculations occur in Excel? 
And that you can change this order by using brackets? 

​Calculate 4 + 3 x 6.
What is your answer?
The correct answer is 22.
 
There are two basic Excel rules to remember.
  1. Excel calculates from left to right.
  2. Multiplication and Division is calculated before addition and subtraction.
 
Do you remember the acronym BODMAS?
Brackets
Over
Division
Multiplication
Addition
Subtraction
 
Therefore if you wanted to calculate 4+3 THEN multiply the answer by 6 you would need to write the formula like this.
(4+3)*6
Answer is 42. 
 
Here is one to practice.
Solve 9 – 5 / (8 – 3) x 2 + 6
Answer 8.375 or 13?
 
Step 1
9 – 5 / (8 – 3) x 2 + 6
=
9 – 5 / 5 x 2 + 6
Brackets

Step 2
9 – 5 / 5 x 2 + 6
=
9 – 1 x 2 + 6
Division

Step 3
9 – 1 x 2 + 6
=
9 – 2 + 6
Multiplication

Step 4
9 – 2 + 6
=
7 + 6
Subtraction

Step 5
7 + 6
=
13
Addition

 
Noticed we did subtraction before addition?  This is because we are calculating from left to right.  The multiplication and division are in the same order, and subtraction and addition are in the same order.
Therefore if we have a division and multiplication in the sum, we calculate left to right. Neither have precedence.
Happy Excelling!
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