Working with formulas in Google Sheets

Creating formulas in Google Sheets is an essential part of efficiently performing complex calculations. In this tutorial, you will learn how to create your first formula to calculate profit and perform various mathematical operations. We will look at the syntax, the correct procedure, and helpful automation functions.

Key Takeaways

• Formulas always start with an equals sign.
• You can perform various mathematical operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
• Google Sheets offers an autofill function to make your work easier.
• Formulas can be applied to both cell references and predefined functions such as SUM and AVERAGE.

Step-by-Step Guide

Prepare Month and Enter Sales Figures

First, you need to add the months to your table. In your example, you already have prepared the sales figures and costs in an Excel spreadsheet. To display the months from January to December, click on the cell January and drag the small fill handle at the bottom right of the cell down to the cell December. This will automatically complete the months.

Calculate Profit

Now, you want to calculate the profit, which is the difference between sales and costs. Go to the cell where you want to show the profit for the first month. Always start your formula with an equals sign "=". You can select the sales for January (in cell C3) and the costs for January (in cell D3). Your formula will look like this: =C3-D3. This will calculate the profit for January.

Auto-fill the Profit Calculation

After entering the formula for profit in the first month, you can use the autofill function to copy the profit calculation for the remaining months. Click again on the small fill handle in the cell with the profit calculation and drag it down to apply the formula to the other months.

Apply Subtraction Calculation for Each Month

It is important that both sales and costs in your table contain correct values for each month. Google Sheets will adjust the formula accordingly when you drag the cell down. This will automatically calculate the result for all months, saving you a lot of time.

Perform Other Mathematical Operations

In addition to subtraction, you can also perform other mathematical operations. For example, if you want to calculate the profit margin, divide profit by sales figures. Your formula could look like this: =C3-D3/C3, which gives the profit per sales representation.

Format Profit Margins as Percentages

To display the profit margin as a percentage, select the cells with the results and click on the "Format as Percentage" button in the menu. This will not only change the display but also convert the value into a percentage.

Work with Specific Functions

In addition to simple calculations, you can also use specific functions. For example, the function "=SUM()" can be used to instantly calculate the sum of a column. Click in a cell below your sales column and start with the equals sign. Google Sheets will suggest options. Choose "Sum", and the corresponding sum will be calculated automatically.

Summary

In this guide, you have learned how to create a basic formula in Google Sheets to calculate profit from sales and costs. You have seen how to perform mathematical operations, use the autofill function, and apply specific functions like "SUM". With these basic skills, you will be able to efficiently create your own table and perform initial calculations.