- A formula specifies how to add, subtract, multiply, divide, or otherwise calculate the values in worksheet cells. A formula always begins with an equal sign (=) and can use cell references that point to the contents of other cells.
- A cell reference is the column and row location of a cell, for example, B1 and B2.
- How a formula uses cell references: The formula =B1-B2 subtracts the contents of cell B2 from the contents of cell B1 and displays the results in the active cell, for example, B3.