Excel 2013

To create a complex formula using the order of operations:

In our example below, we will use cell references along with numerical values to create a complex formula that will calculate the total cost for a catering invoice. The formula will calculate the cost for each menu item and then add those values together.

1. Select the cell that will contain the formula. In our example, we'll select cell C4.
   Selecting cell C4
2. Enter your formula. In our example, we'll type =B2*C2+B3*C3. This formula will follow the order of operations, first performing the multiplication: 2.29*20 = 45.80 and 3.49*35 = 122.15. Then, it will add those values together to calculate the total: 45.80+122.15.
   
   Creating a complex formula
3. Double-check your formula for accuracy, then press Enter on your keyboard. The formula will calculate and display the result. In our example, the result shows that the total cost for the order is $167.95.
   The completed formula and calculated value

You can add parentheses to any equation to make it easier to read. While it won't change the result of the formula in this example, we could enclose the multiplication operations within parentheses to clarify that they will be calculated before the addition.

Including parentheses in a formula for clarity

Excel will not always tell you if your formula contains an error, so it's up to you to check all of your formulas. To learn how to do this, you can read the Double-Check Your Formulas lesson from our Excel Formulas tutorial.