Excel Multiply Formula: multiply two cells, a column, or by a fixed number

Excel uses the star * to multiply. There is no MULTIPLY function — the star is the whole trick.

What you will make

A column that multiplies quantity by price to give a line total.

Steps

1. Type quantities in column A and prices in column B.
2. Click cell C1.
3. Type =A1*B1 and press Enter.
4. Click C1 again. Drag the small square in its bottom-right corner down to the last row. Every row now has its own total.

Multiply by a fixed number

To add 18% tax to every price: =B1*1.18. Or type the rate once in cell E1 and lock it with dollar signs:

=B1*$E$1

The $ keeps E1 fixed when you drag the formula down. Press F4 after typing E1 to add them.

Multiply many cells at once

=PRODUCT(A1:A5)

Multiplies every number in A1 to A5 together.

Check it worked

Click a result cell. The formula bar at the top shows the formula, the cell shows the answer. If the cell shows the formula text instead, see formula not calculating.

Common mistake

Typing x instead of *. Excel reads =A1xB1 as a name and shows #NAME?.