Practice by topic / Excel / Fundamentals
Every Excel formula is built from the same basics: cell references, operators and the order Excel calculates them in. Get these right and the rest of Excel stops feeling like guesswork. These 10 exercises build up step by step, starting with reference a single cell, reference two cells in a sum, reference a cell from another row.
3 of 10 free · no sign-up needed · graded on the formula you write
A1 holds a value. Write a formula in B1 that simply displays the same value as A1.
| A | B | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 42 | ? |
Just reference the cell directly: =A1
Right — a bare cell reference just mirrors that cell's value.
Expected result in B1: 42
A1 and B1 each hold a number. Write a formula in C1 that adds them by referencing both cells.
| A | B | C | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 9 | 16 | ? |
Add the two cell references: =A1+B1
Good — referencing both cells means the formula updates if either input changes.
Expected result in C1: 25
A1 holds a shipping fee that applies to the order in A5. Write a formula in B5 that adds A1 to A5.
| A | B | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 | |
| 2 | ||
| 3 | ||
| 4 | ||
| 5 | 60 | ? |
Reference both A1 and A5: =A1+A5
Right — formulas can reference any cell on the sheet, not just adjacent ones.
Expected result in B5: 65
B2 holds a price and D2 holds a quantity, in the same row. Write a formula in F2 that multiplies them.
| A | B | C | D | E | F | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ||||||
| 2 | 12 | 3 | ? |
Solution and instant grading: open it in the practice app (use one of your 20 free picks, or Pro).
Try it in the live spreadsheet →A1 holds a base number. B1 doubles A1. Write a formula in C1 that adds 10 to B1 (referencing B1, not A1).
| A | B | C | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 | 10 | ? |
Solution and instant grading: open it in the practice app (use one of your 20 free picks, or Pro).
Try it in the live spreadsheet →A1 and B1 each hold a score. Write a formula in C1 that returns TRUE if A1 is greater than B1.
| A | B | C | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 75 | 60 | ? |
Solution and instant grading: open it in the practice app (use one of your 20 free picks, or Pro).
Try it in the live spreadsheet →A1 holds a target, B1 holds actual results. Write a formula in C1 that returns how far actual is from target.
| A | B | C | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 100 | 82 | ? |
Solution and instant grading: open it in the practice app (use one of your 20 free picks, or Pro).
Try it in the live spreadsheet →A1 holds length, B1 holds width, C1 holds height. Write a formula in D1 that returns the volume.
| A | B | C | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | 3 | 2 | ? |
Solution and instant grading: open it in the practice app (use one of your 20 free picks, or Pro).
Try it in the live spreadsheet →A1 holds a total, B1 holds a rate as a decimal. Write a formula in C1 that returns the portion.
| A | B | C | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 200 | 0.15 | ? |
Solution and instant grading: open it in the practice app (use one of your 20 free picks, or Pro).
Try it in the live spreadsheet →A1 holds a value, E1 holds another. Write a formula in C1 that adds A1 and E1 even though they are not next to each other.
| A | B | C | D | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 20 | ? | 30 |
Solution and instant grading: open it in the practice app (use one of your 20 free picks, or Pro).
Try it in the live spreadsheet →