Excel Formula Evaluator

Excel 2016 2013 2010 2007 2003
If you would like to understand better how some of these complex array formulas work, consider using a handy tool - Formula Evaluator:
Evaluate Formula in Excel 365

Select the cell that contains the formula, and on the Formulas tab, in the Formula Auditing group, click Evaluate Formula:

Formulas in Excel 365

In the Evaluate Formula dialog box:

  • Click the Evaluate button repeatedly to see the intermediate results as the formula is being calculated. The result of the evaluation is shown in italics:
    Evaluate Formula in Excel 365
  • If the underlined part of the formula is a reference to another formula, click the Step In button to display the other formula in the Evaluation box:
    Evaluate Formula in Excel 365
  • Click the Step Out button to go back to the previous cell and formula:
    Evaluate Formula in Excel 365
  • Click the Restart button to see the evaluation again.

See also this tip in French: Évaluer la formule dans Excel.

If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to ask OfficeToolTips team.

Using the formula bar as a calculator

Using the formula bar as a calculator

If you simply need to perform a calculation, you can use the Formula bar as a calculator.
Hide formula errors in Excel

Hide formula errors in Excel

If you use formulas in Excel, you often can see messages such as #VALUE! or #DIV/0!. Most of the time, this means you need to check the source of the error and fix it, but sometimes a formula error simply means that the data used by the formula is not yet available.
Shortcut key to switch between relative, absolute and mixed references

Shortcut key to switch between relative, absolute and mixed references

You can enter nonrelative references (absolute or mixed) manually by inserting dollar signs in the appropriate positions, or you can use a handy shortcut - F4 key.

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