How to Multiply in Google Sheets: A Complete Guide

Learning how to multiply in Google Sheets is an essential skill for anyone working with numerical data. Whether you’re calculating expenses, analyzing sales figures, or creating complex financial models, multiplication is one of the most frequently used mathematical operations. This comprehensive guide will walk you through all the methods of performing multiplication in Google Sheets, from basic formulas to advanced techniques.

Table of Contents

• Basic Multiplication in Google Sheets
• Using the MULTIPLY Function
• Multiplying a Range of Numbers
• Array Formulas for Multiplication
• Multiplying Entire Columns
• Multiplying by Percentages
• Common Errors and Troubleshooting
• Conclusion and Next Steps

Basic Multiplication in Google Sheets

The simplest way to perform multiplication in Google Sheets is by using the asterisk (*) operator. This method works exactly like traditional multiplication in mathematics.

Multiplying Two Numbers

To multiply two numbers directly in a cell:

1. Click on the cell where you want the result
2. Type the equals sign (=) to begin your formula
3. Enter your first number
4. Type the asterisk (*) for multiplication
5. Enter your second number
6. Press Enter

Example: =5*10 will return 50

Multiplying Cell References

More commonly, you’ll want to multiply values stored in different cells:

1. Click on the cell for your result
2. Type = followed by the first cell reference (e.g., A1)
3. Add the * operator
4. Enter the second cell reference (e.g., B1)
5. Press Enter

Example: =A1*B1 multiplies the values in cells A1 and B1

Using the MULTIPLY Function

Google Sheets provides a dedicated MULTIPLY function for basic multiplication operations. While it’s less commonly used than the asterisk method, it can make your formulas more readable.

MULTIPLY Function Syntax

The syntax is straightforward: =MULTIPLY(factor1, factor2)

Example: =MULTIPLY(A2, B2) returns the product of cells A2 and B2

When to Use MULTIPLY Function

• When you prefer function-style syntax over operators
• When creating more complex formulas where explicit functions improve readability
• When working with users who might be more familiar with functions than operators

Multiplying a Range of Numbers

To multiply more than two numbers together in Google Sheets, you can chain multiplication operations or use the PRODUCT function.

Chaining Multiplication Operations

Example: =A1A2A3*A4 multiplies all four cells together

Using the PRODUCT Function

The PRODUCT function multiplies all numbers given as arguments:

1. =PRODUCT(value1, [value2, …])
2. You can input individual cells or ranges
3. Example: =PRODUCT(A1:A10) multiplies all numbers in cells A1 through A10

Array Formulas for Multiplication

For more advanced multiplication operations across multiple cells, array formulas can be incredibly powerful.

Multiplying Two Columns Together

To multiply two columns and display results in a third column:

1. Select the range where you want results (e.g., C1:C10)
2. Type: =ARRAYFORMULA(A1:A10*B1:B10)
3. Press Ctrl+Shift+Enter (Windows) or Cmd+Shift+Enter (Mac)

Multiplying and Summing (SUMPRODUCT)

The SUMPRODUCT function multiplies corresponding components and returns the sum of those products:

Example: =SUMPRODUCT(A1:A10, B1:B10)

Multiplying Entire Columns

When working with large datasets, you often need to multiply entire columns efficiently.

Dragging the Fill Handle

1. Enter your multiplication formula in the first cell (e.g., C1)
2. Click the small blue square (fill handle) in the bottom-right corner of the cell
3. Drag down to fill the formula to other cells

Using ArrayFormula for Column Multiplication

For dynamic column multiplication that automatically adjusts as you add data:

=ARRAYFORMULA(IF(ISBLANK(A1:A), “”, A1:A*B1:B))

Multiplying by Percentages

Multiplying by percentages is common in financial and statistical calculations.

Basic Percentage Multiplication

Example: To increase values in column A by 15%:

=A11.15 or =A1(1+15%)

Using Percentage Cells

If you have percentages stored in cells:

=A1*B1 (where B1 contains a percentage like 15%)

Common Errors and Troubleshooting

When learning how to multiply in Google Sheets, you might encounter these common issues:

VALUE! Error

This occurs when you try to multiply non-numeric values. Solutions:

• Check for text in cells you’re trying to multiply
• Use VALUE() function to convert text to numbers
• Verify all cells contain numeric data

REF! Error

Appears when cell references are invalid. Check for:

• Deleted rows or columns referenced in your formula
• Incorrect cell references
• Circular references

N/A Error

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