How To Multiply in Google Sheets

Would you like to learn how to multiply in Google Sheets?

Whether you're a student, a professional, or someone looking to manage data better, knowing how to use basic Google Sheets formulas is essential. Basic multiplication formulas are among the fundamentals frequently used, and Google Sheets makes it easy.

This guide will walk you through every basic multiplication formula in Google Sheets, from simple to more advanced techniques.

How To Multiply Numbers in Google Sheets

Multiplying numbers within the same cell in Google Sheets can be useful for quick calculations without cluttering your spreadsheet with extra data. The following are simple steps to multiplying numbers in the same cell:

Step 1: Select the cell.

Click the cell where you want the result.

Step 2: Input formula.

Type the formula in the cell. The formula is = (first number)*(second number.) For example, to multiply 9 and 2, type =9*2.

 Step 3: Press Enter.

Tap "Enter" on your keyboard to make the cell display the result of the multiplication.

Read more: How to divide in Google Sheets.

How To Multiply Numbers in Different Cells

You can multiply numbers in different cells in Google Sheets. By following the steps below, you can easily utilize the basic multiply function:

Step 1: Enter your numbers.

First, type the numbers you want to multiply into any two cells in your Google Sheet. For example, put 5 in cell A1 and 4 in cell A2.

Step 2: Select the cell for the result.

Next, click on the desired cell where you want to see the result of your multiplication. For this example, let's choose cell A3.

Step 3: Enter the multiplication formula.

Finally, type =A1*A2 into cell A3 and press Enter. The result, which is 20, will appear in cell A3.

Multiplying Multiple Cells in Google Sheets

You can easily combine every cell reference if you need to multiply more than two numbers in Google Sheets. Here's how to do it with just a few clicks:

Step 1: Enter numbers in cells.

Start by typing your numbers into different cells. For instance, put 2 in cell A1, 3 in cell A2, and 4 in cell A3.

Step 2: Select the result cell.

Next, click the separate cell where you want the multiplication result to appear. In this example, we'll use cell A4.

Step 3: Enter the formula.

In cell A4, type =A1*A2*A3 and press Enter. The result, which is 24, will appear in cell A4.

Using the PRODUCT Function

Google Sheets has a built-in function called PRODUCT that simplifies complex calculations in many cells. Here's how to use this multiply formula:

Step 1: Enter your numbers.

First, type your numbers into cells A1 through A5.

Step 2: Select the result cell.

Click the cell where you want the multiplication result to appear. For example, choose cell A6.

Step 3: Enter the PRODUCT formula.

In cell A6, type =PRODUCT(A1:A5) and press Enter. The function will multiply all the numbers in the other cells from A1 to A5 and display the result in A6.

Multiplying a Range by a Constant

Sometimes, you might need to multiply a range of numbers by a single constant in Google Sheets. By following these steps, you can easily multiply a range of numbers by a constant in your Sheets:

Step 1: Enter your digits.

Start by typing your numbers into cells B1 through B5.

Step 2: Enter the constant.

Next, type the constant number you want to multiply by in another cell. For example, enter 2 in cell C1.

Step 3: Multiply each cell by the constant.

Click cell D1 and type =B1*$C$1, then press Enter. This formula multiplies the value in B1 by the constant in C1. To apply the same multiplication to the rest of the cells. drag the fill handle (a small square at the bottom-right corner of cell D1) down to cell D5.

Applying Conditional Multiplication

Conditional multiplication is a handy technique for multiplying only certain cells in a range based on specific criteria. This is useful when you must perform calculations on a subset of data that meets particular conditions. Here's how you can do it in Google Sheets:

Step 1: Set your condition.

Suppose you want to multiply only the cells in the range B1 to B5 that are between 10 and 40.

Step 2: Enter the formula.

In an empty cell, type the following formula:

=SUMPRODUCT((B1:B5>=10)*(B1:B5<=40)*B1:B5)

This formula works by checking each cell in the range B1 to B5. It multiplies the cell value only if the cell's value is greater than or equal to 10 and less than or equal to 40.

Example breakdown.

• (B1:B5>=10): This checks if each cell in the range B1 to B5 is greater than or equal to 10.
• (B1:B5<=40): This checks if each cell in the range B1 to B5 is less than or equal to 40.
• *B1:B5: This part of the formula multiplies the cells that meet both conditions.

Step 3: Press enter.

When you press Enter, the formula will display the result of the conditional multiplication.

Conclusion

Multiplying in Google Sheets is a powerful feature for data analysis and calculations. You can efficiently perform multiplication tasks with basic formulas, the PRODUCT function, and some handy tips. Practice these steps, and you'll master multiplication in no time!

Visit Simple Sheets for more easy-to-follow guides and examples, and remember to visit the related articles section of this blog post.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I multiply multiple cells together?

You can enter your numbers in separate cells (e.g., 2 in A1, 3 in A2, and 4 in A3). In the result cell, type "=A1*A2*A3" and press Enter. The result will be displayed in the chosen cell.

What is the PRODUCT function, and how do I use it?

The PRODUCT function multiplies a range of cells. Enter your numbers in a range of cells (e.g., A1 to A5). Type =PRODUCT(A1:A5) in the result cell and press Enter. The function will multiply all numbers in that range.

How do I multiply a range of numbers by a single constant?

Enter your numbers in a range of cells (e.g., B1 to B5) and enter the constant in another cell (e.g., 2 in C1). In the result cell, type =B1*$C$1 and press Enter. Drag the fill handle down to apply the formula to the rest of the cells in the range.

1. Advanced Efficiency

Q: How do I multiply two entire columns without dragging the formula down?
A: You can use the ARRAYFORMULA function. This is much faster than dragging the fill handle for thousands of rows.

• Formula: =ARRAYFORMULA(A2:A * B2:B)
• What it does: This automatically multiplies every value in Column A by the corresponding value in Column B for the entire sheet. If you add new data to the bottom, it calculates automatically.

Q: Can I multiply numbers across different tabs (sheets)?
A: Yes. You just need to reference the sheet name followed by an exclamation point.

• Formula: =A1 * Sheet2!B1
• Use Case: This is perfect for keeping your "Data" tab separate from your "Calculations" or "Dashboard" tab.

2. Troubleshooting Errors

Q: Why am I getting a #VALUE! error when trying to multiply?
A: This error occurs when Google Sheets tries to do math on a cell that contains text instead of a number.

• Common Culprit: A cell that looks like 10 kg or $ 10 (typed manually) is treated as text.
• The Fix: Remove the letters so the cell just contains 10. Use the menu bar to format the cell as Currency or Plain Text if you need visual labels.

Q: Why does my multiplication result look like a date (e.g., "1/4/1900")?
A: This happens if the cell was previously formatted as a Date. Google Sheets interprets the underlying number as a date code.

• The Fix: Click the cell, go to Format > Number > Automatic (or "Number").

3. Data Behavior

Q: What happens if I multiply a number by a blank cell?
A: Google Sheets treats completely blank cells as zero (0). Therefore, any number multiplied by a blank cell will result in 0.

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