Excel multiply, divide & common stats
Need a line total, a quotient, an average, a median, a standard deviation, or an absolute value? Use *, PRODUCT, /, AVERAGE, MEDIAN, STDEV, and ABS. There is no dedicated multiply-only function — * or PRODUCT is the answer. Walk the examples below, then practice quantity × price.
Multiply, divide, and common stats at a glance
Excel has no dedicated “multiply function.” Use the * operator or PRODUCT. Division uses /. For everyday stats, AVERAGE, MEDIAN, STDEV (sample), and ABS cover mean, middle value, spread, and absolute value. The worked example below starts with line totals; the sections after cover the rest.
Multiply cells with *. PRODUCT multiplies its arguments or a range — same result for two cells, handy for longer lists.
Divide with /. Guard against divide-by-zero with IF or IFERROR when the denominator can be blank or 0.
AVERAGE is the mean. MEDIAN is the middle value. STDEV (or STDEV.S) is sample standard deviation. ABS returns the absolute value.
Multiply example: quantity × unit price
Excel has no dedicated multiply function. Use * (or PRODUCT) for each line total.
| Qty | Unit price | Line total |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 10 | 30 |
| 2 | 15 | 30 |
| 5 | 8 | 40 |
A2*B2 returns 30 for quantity 3 and price 10. =PRODUCT(A2,B2) returns the same value.
PRODUCT example: multiply with a function name
PRODUCT multiplies its arguments. For two cells it matches *. Prefer PRODUCT when multiplying a longer list or range in one call.
Same line total via PRODUCT
Division example: unit cost = total ÷ quantity
Divide with /. Watch for #DIV/0! when the denominator can be blank or zero.
| Total | Qty | Unit cost |
|---|---|---|
| 90 | 3 | 30 |
| 45 | 0 | #DIV/0! |
Safe division pattern
AVERAGE and MEDIAN examples
AVERAGE is the arithmetic mean. MEDIAN is the middle value after sorting — less sensitive to outliers.
| Scores | AVERAGE | MEDIAN |
|---|---|---|
| 10, 20, 30, 40, 100 | 40 | 30 |
Mean of a range
Middle value of a range
STDEV and ABS examples
STDEV (same idea as STDEV.S) is sample standard deviation. ABS returns the non-negative magnitude of a number.
Sample standard deviation
Absolute value
4 arithmetic and stats gotchas
1. There is no dedicated multiply function
Searches for a “multiply function” usually want * or PRODUCT. Both are correct; * is shorter for two cells.
2. Division by zero returns #DIV/0!
Wrap risky divisions with IF(B2=0,"",A2/B2) or IFERROR(A2/B2,""). Empty denominators count as zero in many engines.
3. STDEV vs STDEV.P
STDEV / STDEV.S treat the range as a sample. STDEV.P is the population form. Pick the one that matches your definition of “standard deviation.”
4. AVERAGE ignores text; blank cells are skipped
AVERAGE skips empty cells and most text. A zero you typed still counts. MEDIAN sorts numeric values only.
Excel vs Google Sheets
Microsoft Excel (365 / Desktop)
Desktop Excel and Microsoft 365 support *, PRODUCT, /, AVERAGE, MEDIAN, STDEV / STDEV.S, and ABS. Legacy STDEV matches STDEV.S.
Google Sheets
Google Sheets uses the same operators and function names. STDEV and STDEV.S both refer to sample standard deviation.
Multiply exercise for this guide
Multiply exercise
Build line totals with * or PRODUCT. The formula has to follow A2 and B2.
FAQ
Is there a multiply function in Excel?
There is no dedicated multiply-only function. Use =A2*B2 or =PRODUCT(A2,B2).
How do I multiply two cells in Excel?
Write =A2*B2. That is the usual quantity × price pattern.
How do I divide in Excel?
Use =A2/B2. Wrap with IF or IFERROR when the denominator might be zero.
What is the Excel average formula?
Use =AVERAGE(A2:A10) for the mean of a range.
What is the Excel median formula?
Use =MEDIAN(A2:A10) for the middle value of the numeric list.
How do I calculate standard deviation in Excel?
Use =STDEV(A2:A10) or =STDEV.S(A2:A10) for a sample. Use STDEV.P for a full population.
How do I get the absolute value?
Use =ABS(A2). Negative inputs become positive; zero stays zero.
Do these work in Google Sheets?
Yes. Operators and AVERAGE, MEDIAN, STDEV / STDEV.S, PRODUCT, and ABS share the same names.