Entering a Formula Manually

• 1). Select the cell that will contain the formula.
  
  
• 2). Type an equal sign, indicating that this is a formula expression.
  
  
• 3). Type in the formula and press enter. Use formula expressions, such as =SUM(A1+A2), or simple formulas, such as =A1+A2. You can use cell addresses, cell ranges or specific numbers in your formulas.
  
  

Using the Formula Icon

• 1). Open an existing or new spreadsheet. Select the cell in which you want the formula to appear.
  
  
• 2). Click the Function icon to the left of the formula bar designed with "fx." A window will open with a list of all the available formulas.
  
  
• 3). Type a description of the type of function you are seeking in the first box, or select a category of formula types, such as statistical or financial, from the drop-down box. With each selection you make, a list of formulas will appear in the box below the drop-down menu. As you select a formula name, you will see a description shown below the box.
  
  
• 4). Select the formula you wish to use, and click the Okay button.
  
  
• 5). Fill out the required information on the next screen using numbers, cell addresses or cell ranges. For ranges of cells, use the format G1:H5, where G1 represents the cell in the upper-left corner of the range and the H5 represents the cell in the lower-right corner of the range. Type in cell addresses and ranges, or simply select them in your spreadsheet with your cursor.
  
  
• 6). Click the Okay button to complete the formula.