How to Multiply in Excel: Cells, Columns and Constants

To multiply in Excel, type an equals sign, then the values or cells with an asterisk between them, like =B2*C2. That one operator covers almost every case: two cells, a whole column, a fixed rate or a percentage. This guide shows each one on a small order table, plus PRODUCT for many cells and SUMPRODUCT for multiplying and adding in one step. It is written for beginners and anyone brushing up for an Excel test.

How to multiply two numbers in Excel#

Excel uses the asterisk * as its multiplication sign. Type it with Shift+8 on most keyboards, or the * key on the number pad.

1. Click an empty cell.
2. Type =6*7.
3. Press Enter. The cell shows 42.

The letter x doesn't work: =6x7 gives an error. And don't forget the = at the start. Without it, Excel stores 6*7 as text. If writing formulas is new, start with how to write your first Excel formula.

How to multiply two cells#

Use cell references instead of typed numbers, so the result updates when the data changes. All the examples use this order table:

In D2, type:

=B2*C2

The result is 30 (12 × 2.50). Change B2 to 20 and D2 updates to 50 by itself. You can multiply more than two cells in one formula: =B2*C2*1.2 adds a 20% markup to the line total, giving 36.

How to multiply a whole column#

Write the formula once and fill it down. Excel adjusts the row numbers for each row.

1. Type =B2*C2 in D2 and press Enter.
2. Select D2:D6 and press Ctrl+D (⌘D on a Mac). Or double-click the small square at the bottom-right corner of D2.

D3 becomes =B3*C3 (32), D4 becomes =B4*C4 (18), and so on. These moving references are called relative references. The guide to Excel cell references explains how they work.

How to multiply by a constant number#

To multiply every row by the same number, such as a tax rate or exchange rate, put that number in its own cell and lock it with $ signs. Say F1 holds a 20% tax rate (0.2). In E2:

=D2*$F$1

Fill it down, and every row multiplies by F1. Without the $ signs, the next row would point to F2, which is empty, and return 0. While typing the formula, press F4 on the reference to add the $ signs (fn+F4 or ⌘T on a Mac). The guide on copying a formula without changing references covers this in more detail.

Typing the number directly, as in =D2*0.2, also works, but it's harder to change later. A rate in a cell can be updated once for the whole column.

How to multiply with PRODUCT#

PRODUCT multiplies all the numbers you give it, which saves typing when there are many:

=PRODUCT(B2:C2)

The result is 30, the same as =B2*C2. There is one important difference: PRODUCT skips blank cells, while * treats a blank as 0. If C2 were empty, =B2*C2 would return 0, but =PRODUCT(B2:C2) would return 12. Choose based on what a blank should mean in your data.

How to multiply and add in one step with SUMPRODUCT#

SUMPRODUCT multiplies matching values row by row, then adds all the results. It gives an order total without a helper column:

=SUMPRODUCT(B2:B6,C2:C6)

The result is 117: 30 + 32 + 18 + 19.5 + 17.5. Both ranges must be the same size, or you get #VALUE!. SUMPRODUCT works in every version of Excel. The SUMPRODUCT function guide shows how to add conditions too. The same idea, multiplying price by quantity and comparing with costs, is the heart of a break-even analysis in Excel.

How to multiply a range in place with Paste Special#

Sometimes you want to change the numbers themselves, not add a new column. For example, every price in C2:C6 must go up by 10%. Paste Special can multiply a range by one number in place:

1. Type 1.1 in an empty cell and copy it (Ctrl+C, or ⌘C on a Mac).
2. Select the prices, C2:C6.
3. Open Paste Special (Ctrl+Alt+V on Windows, ⌃⌘V on a Mac).
4. Choose Multiply under Operation, then click OK.

Each price is now 10% higher, and you can delete the 1.1. This overwrites the original values, so keep a copy if you might need them.

Multiplication and the order of operations#

Excel multiplies before it adds, so brackets matter. Compare:

To multiply by a percentage, use =B2*15% or a cell formatted as a percentage. To increase by a percentage, write =B2*(1+C2): the brackets make Excel add first. The full rules are in the Excel order of operations.

Why is my multiplication wrong?#

If the result looks off, check these common causes:

• 0 instead of a number: a blank cell in the formula. Fill it in or use PRODUCT.
• #VALUE!: a cell holds text such as "12 units". Keep numbers and units in separate columns.
• Wrong after filling down: a fixed multiplier without $ signs.
• Too many decimals: the maths is right, but the format shows extra digits. Use ROUND or a number format.

Practise it#

Multiplication is the first formula most Excel tests check, and the $ version is one of the most common mistakes. Start with your first formulas in a live spreadsheet, then lock a fixed rate in the relative vs absolute references lesson. Each step is checked instantly. Try the SUMPRODUCT order-total exercise on this page first.