Next, we'll solve any multiplication and division, working from left to right. Next, we'll look to see if there are any exponents. In this case, there's only one thing we need to calculate: 6-3=3.Īs you can see, the formula already looks simpler. While this formula may look complicated, we can use the order of operations step by step to find the right answer.įirst, we'll start by calculating anything inside parentheses. Addition and subtraction, whichever comes firstĪ mnemonic that can help you remember the order is PEMDAS, or Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally.Ĭlick the arrows in the slideshow below to learn how the order of operations is used to calculate formulas in Excel.Multiplication and division, whichever comes first.Exponential calculations (3^2, for example).
Excel calculates formulas based on the following order of operations:
