How to multiply in Google Sheets in 3 ways, using a multiplication formula

You can use a formula to perform simple multiplication functions using either numbers you specify, or cell data. You can also take the formula and easily apply it to other cells.
Here's how to use the formula feature in Google Sheets to multiply.
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Formulas are one of those spreadsheet features that seem complicated, but once you get the hang of them and know their structure, are actually quite simple.

Here's a quick breakdown of how to use the multiplication formula in Google Sheets using either numbers you type in, or cell data, as well as how to take that formula and apply it to other cells.

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How to multiply in Google Sheets using simple multiplication

1. Open your Google Sheets document by going to sheets.google.com (or open a new one via the shortcut sheets.new ).

2. Select the cell where you want to apply the multiplication feature.

3. Type "=", which will prompt the formula feature to activate within the cell.

How to multiply in Google Sheets Devon Delfino/Business Insider

4. Enter your desired multiplication factor as "X*Y" for example, to multiply 8 by 9, you'd type "8*9."

How to multiply in Google Sheets Devon Delfino/Business Insider

5. Hit "Enter" or "Return," depending on if you're using a PC or Mac , respectively. The formula will disappear and be replaced by the answer to your multiplication problem

How to multiply in Google Sheets using cell data

If you want to set up a formula using numbers that are already entered in other cells, here's how to get it done:

1. Open your spreadsheet.

2. Select the cell where you want to enter the formula.

3. Type "=" in the cell.

4. Select the first cell that you want to use for your multiplication problem (alternatively, you could instead type the cell name, like "A2").

How to multiply in Google Sheets Devon Delfino/Business Insider

5. Type "*" into the box to signify that you're multiplying.

6. Select the second cell you want to use for your multiplication problem (or enter the cell name manually).

How to multiply in Google Sheets Devon Delfino/Business Insider

7. Hit "Enter" or "Return" to see the answer to your query.

How to multiply in Google Sheets by copying the formula into additional cells

Using the multiplication formula can be useful, but doing it bit-by-bit for an entire column can get tedious. Here's a quick and easy workaround for that problem.

Even after you've multiplied using a formula, the cell you used to multiply still keeps the formula around. So, you can do this:

1. Select the cell with the formula you want to copy by holding Command + C on your Mac, or Ctrl + C on your PC keyboard.