How to Multiply in Excel

Multiplying values is one of the basic arithmetic operations that is frequently performed in Excel. There are multiple ways you can multiply in Excel, all you need to do is create a simple formula to do it.

Now let’s see how you can create a formula for multiplying numbers, cells, ranges, columns, and rows.

Multiplying in Excel Using Multiplication Symbol

To create a multiplication formula in an Excel cell, always begin the formula with an equal sign (=) and use the asterisk symbol (*) or the PRODUCT function to multiply numbers or cells. Using this method, you can easily multiply numbers, cells, columns, and rows.

Multiplying Numbers in Excel

Use the following formula to multiply numbers in a cell.

=number_1*number_2

When you apply the above formula in cell E1, the answer will also be displayed in the same cell. See the following example.

Multiplying Cells in Excel

To multiply two or more cells with values, enter the same above formula, but use cell references instead of numbers. For example, to multiply the value in cells A1 and B1, we typed ‘=A1*B1’.

Multiplying Columns in Excel

To multiply two column of numbers in Excel, enter the above formula for multiplying cells.

After you entered the formula in the first cell (D1 in the following example), click on the small green square (fill handle) in the lower-right corner of cell D1 and drag it down to cell D5.

Now, the formula is copied to D1:D5 of column D and column A and B are multiplied, and the answers are displayed in column D.

You can multiply multiple cells by just adding ‘*’ between each cell reference. For example, the formula below multiplies multiple cell values in cells A3, B2, A4, and B5.

Multiplying a Column by a Constant Number in Excel

Let assume you want to multiply a column of number by a constant number in another cell. You can do that by fixing the reference to the cell that contains the constant number by adding the ‘$’ symbol in front of the column letter and row number. This way, you can lock that cell reference so it won’t change no matter where the formula is copied.

For example, we created an absolute cell reference by inserting a dollar ‘$’ symbol in front of the column letter and row number of cell B7 ($B$7), so the value in B8 won’t be changed. Now, we can multiply the value in cell B7 with the value in cell B1.

After that, click on the fill handle of cell C1 and drag it down to cell C5. Now the formula is applied to all the rows and cell C1 is multiplied with cell B1 to B5.

If the above formula is a bit hard to remember, you can still multiply in a column with a number using Paste Special method in Excel.

Now, you can do the same above function without a formula. To do that, right-click on cell B7 and copy (or press CTRL + c).

Next, select the cell range B1:B5, right-click, and click ‘Paste Special’.

Select ‘Multiply’ under ‘Operations’ and click the ‘OK’ button.

Now the cell B7 value is multiplied from a column of numbers (B1:B5). But the original cell values of B1:B5 will be replaced with the multiplied numbers.

Multiplying in Excel using PRODUCT function

If you need to multiply a column of multiple cells or ranges, you need to write each cell reference separated by the ‘*’ operator in the formula, the formula can get quite long. To shorten your formula, you can use the PRODUCT function.

For example, the PRODUCT formula in cell B7 multiplies the values in the range B1:B5 and returns the result.