A formula in MS Excel must begin with:

The correct answer is =.

Key Points

• A formula in MS Excel must begin with an equals sign (=).
• The equals sign indicates that the subsequent text constitutes a formula.
• Formulas are used to perform calculations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
• Without the equals sign, Excel will interpret the entry as plain text or a number, not as a formula.
• Examples of formulas include =SUM(A1:A10) and =A1+A2.

Additional Information

• Functions in Excel
  • Excel functions are predefined formulas that perform specific calculations using the values provided as arguments.
  • Common functions include SUM, AVERAGE, VLOOKUP, and IF.
  • Functions can be nested within other functions to create complex formulas.
  • Excel provides a wide range of functions to handle various types of data and calculations.
• Cell References
  • Cell references are used to refer to cells in formulas, allowing dynamic calculations.
  • Relative references change when a formula is copied to another cell, while absolute references remain constant.
  • Mixed references combine relative and absolute references (e.g., $A1 or A$1).
• Error Values
  • Excel provides error values to indicate issues in formulas, such as #DIV/0! (division by zero) and #NAME? (unrecognized text in a formula).
  • Understanding error values helps in debugging and correcting formulas.
• Formula Auditing
  • Excel offers tools for auditing formulas, such as tracing precedents and dependents.
  • These tools help in understanding the relationship between cells and identifying errors.