How To Multiply in Google Sheets

How To Multiply in Google Sheets

Multiplication is yet another calculation tool that makes Google Sheets an efficient planning and organization resource.

Almost any situation where you may need to multiply and adjust numbers – calculating interest, sales discounts, estimating purchase amounts, etc. – is a good enough situation to use Google Sheets’ multiplication tool.

Before You Begin Multiplying

Here are some clarifications and tips before using the multiplication tool.

First, you’ll need to designate a column of cells to keep track of your results (the product of the equation). Make sure the cell in which you are entering the formula is where you want to see the product.

Next, you’ll need to understand what a cell reference is:

Cell references are the Number/Letter coordinates of a cell:

For instance, the very first cell in a Google Sheet (the one in the upper left-hand corner) is cell A1. You can figure out the cell references quite easily!

Letters are listed horizontally across the top of columns, while the numbers go down the rows on the left-hand side:

Additionally, always open up a formula with the equal symbol (=) in the cell and remember that the asterisk symbol (*) indicates that something is being multiplied.

Pressing ‘Enter’ on your keyboard will calculate the formula and you can always double-click on the cell to change the formula later on.

Multiplication Function

There are two main methods you can use to multiply numbers in Sheets.

Multiply Using Numbers

If you just need a quick calculation, this is the trick for you.

1. Choose your active cell.
2. In the cell, type = followed by multiplicand.
3. Directly after, input the asterisk.
4. Enter in your multiplier. Make sure there aren’t any spaces between the numbers and symbols.
5. Press ‘Enter’ and your product will appear in the cell.

Example Formula: =5*20

Multiply Using Cell References

If you are working with a list or need to click and drag the multiplication formula down a column, this is the smarter way to work.

1. Choose your active cell.
2. In the cell, type = followed by multiplicand as represented by the specified cell reference.
3. Directly after, input the asterisk.
4. Enter in your multiplier as represented by the specified cell reference. Make sure there aren’t any spaces between the numbers and symbols.
5. Press ‘Enter’ and your product will appear in the cell.

Example formula: =A1*B1

Combine Numbers and Cell References

You can also combine cell references and numbers in a multiplication formula. This is useful when multiplying by a fixed percentage.

Example formula: =A1*0.30

Applying Multiplication Formula to Multiple Cells

You can apply a formula to more than one cell.

1. Select the cell containing the formula.
2. Mouse over the bottom right-hand corner of the cell. A thin plus sign should appear instead of the mouse icon.
3. With the plus sign visible, click and drag down the column and release it when you’ve selected the range.
4. The formula will have adjusted itself for each individual row.

You can also copy and paste the formula into each individual cell if the cells set for results are not consecutive.

Multiplying More Than Two Values

If you want to multiply more than one number, do not separate cell references or numbers by commas. This will result in an ERROR notification. Separate each value by an asterisk.

Example Formula: =3*4*8*10

Summary

When it comes to Google Sheets multiplication, you still have to understand when to use the correct equation.

So don’t feel bad if you aren’t using traditional calculation methods, especially when calculating using Google Sheets can save you so much time. Rest assured, you are still using that brain!