Sheet Smarts (Part II)

So far, we’ve explored the layout of Google Sheets and learned how to format and organize our data. Now, we turn to the core feature that makes spreadsheets powerful: formulas.

Formulas allow cells to perform calculations and logic-based operations, automatically and dynamically. Whether it’s summing revenue across months, calculating percentage growth, or comparing student scores, formulas let us build logic directly into the sheet.

In this lesson, we’ll learn how to construct formulas, apply arithmetic operators, calculate percentages, and use logical expressions to enable deeper analysis.

The = symbol

Every formula in Google Sheets begins with a single symbol: the equals sign =. That’s how Sheets knows we’re not just typing plain text or numbers, we’re giving it instructions.

Think of = as the green light. The moment we type it into a cell, Sheets shifts into formula mode, ready to calculate, compare, or process whatever comes next.

Basic mathematical operators

Once we tell Google Sheets we’re writing a formula using the = symbol, the real work of calculation begins.

Whether we’re summing up monthly expenses, calculating a product’s profit, or working out the average test score, we rely on basic mathematical operations. Operators like $+, -, *,$ and $/$ turn the spreadsheet into a living calculator that updates results automatically when values change.

• Addition (+): This operator adds two or more numbers. For example, =5+7 returns 12. We can also use cell references to add values stored in cells. For instance, =A1+B1 adds the numbers in cells A1 and B1.

• Subtraction (-): This operator subtracts one number from another. For example, =10-4 returns 6. We can also use cell references, as for instance, =C2-D2 subtracts the value in cell D2 from C2.

• Multiplication (*): This operator multiplies two or more numbers. For example, =3*7 returns 21. We can also multiply values using cell references, as for instance, ...