List of Symbols in Excel Formula (and Their Meanings) - Compute Expert

List of Symbols in Excel Formula (and Their Meanings)


Home >> Excel Tutorials from Compute Expert >> Excel Tips and Trick >> List of Symbols in Excel Formula (and Their Meanings)





In this tutorial, you will learn about the list of symbols in the excel formula that you can use.

There are many symbols you can use when you try to write a formula in excel. Each of them has its unique functions and you most probably need more than one symbol to complete your writing.

By knowing what are they and their functions, you should be better equipped to process data in excel using formulas. Therefore, master the excel formulas symbols by learning them from the list in this tutorial!

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links from which we earn commission from qualifying purchases/actions at no additional cost for you. Learn more

Want to work faster and easier in Excel? Install and use Excel add-ins! Read this article to know the best Excel add-ins to use according to us!

Learn Excel Dashboard Course






List of Symbols in Excel Formula and Their Meanings

Here is a table that lists the symbols you can use in an excel formula. Each symbol is explained with its name, meaning, and formula writing example to help you understand them better.

SymbolNameMeaningFormula Writing Example
=EqualMarks the beginning of a formula writing=A1
Represents “equal to/the same as” in a logic condition=A1=1
+PlusAdds the number on the left with the number on the right=2+3
-MinusSubtracts the number on the left with the number on the right=7-1
*AsteriskMultiplies the number on the left with the number on the right=3*8
Represents a wildcard operator in criteria writing (any character in any amount)=COUNTIF( A2:A101, ”Jim*” )
/SlashDivides the number on the left with the number on the right=10/2
^CaretPowers the number on the left with the level of the number on the right=3^2
%PercentageMakes the number on its left side a percentage=100*10%
<Less thanRepresents “less than” in a logic condition=IF( A1<8, ”Less than 8”, ”At least 8” )
>More thanRepresents “more than” in a logic condition=IF( A1>8,”More than 8”,”Maximum 8” )
$DollarMake the row number or column letter on its right an absolute reference (won’t move when we copy the formula to other cells)=$B$1+A6
&AmpersandConcatenate the data on the left with the data on the right=A2&B2&C2
?QuestionRepresents a wildcard operator in criteria writing (any one character)=COUNTIF( A2:A101, ”Jack?” )
~TildeMakes the * or ? symbol literal in criteria writing=COUNTIF( A2:A101, ”Jack~*” )
,CommaSeparates one input and another (can be replaced by semicolon, depending on the excel settings)=SUM( 1,3,8 )
;SemicolonSeparates one input and another (can be replaced by comma, depending on the excel settings)=SUM( 1;3;8 )
:ColonRepresents “to” in a cell range writing (A1:B10 means A1 to B10 cell in the cell range)=SUM( A2:C2 )
""QuotationsBecomes a media to type a text input directly in a formula=IF( A2>70, "Pass", ”Fail” )
''ApostrophesBecomes a media to input a workbook and worksheet name reference if the name has spaces=‘Sheet1’!A1+A2
!ExclamationSeparates a sheet name reference with the cell/cell range coordinate reference=SUM( ‘Sheet1’!A2:C2 )
( )BracketsBecomes a media to give your formula inputs=SUM( C2:C26 )
Separates a certain calculation so it can run first=2*(5+3)
{ }Curly bracketsRepresents an array formula (a formula that produces an array result){=SUM( ABS( A2:A26 ) )}
[ ]Square bracketsBecomes a media to input a field name of a table=SUM( SalesData [Quantity] )


If a symbol has two meanings, then its actual meaning in your formula depends on the formula writing that you do.



How to Use the Symbols

To use the symbols you want, just begin typing a formula in one of your cells

Don’t forget to place an equal symbol (=) at the beginning of your formula writing. If you forget, then the symbols you type will become literal symbols.



Additional Note

Need to learn how to write a criterion with its symbols in a formula like COUNTIF or SUMIF? Check out this excel criterion writing guide in our COUNTIF tutorial if you need to. You should write them correctly so you won’t get a wrong result from your formula.



Other tutorials you should learn:



Want to Learn More About Excel?


Get updated excel info from Compute Expert by registering your email. It's free!





Want to Learn More About Excel?


Get updated excel info from Compute Expert by registering your email. It's free!




Learn Excel Dashboard Course

Follow our tutorial content also on


Excel Calculation

Sum in Excel

Subtraction in Excel

Multiplication in Excel

Division in Excel

Average in Excel



Excel Formula

VLOOKUP Function in Excel

IF Function in Excel

SUM Function in Excel

COUNTIFS Function in Excel

SUMIFS Function in Excel



Excel Tips and Trick

How to Print in Excel

Convert Number to Text in Excel

Excel Worksheet Definition

Excel Range Definition

Excel Shortcuts



Excel Products & Services Recommendation

Best Laptops for Excel

Best Tablets for Excel

Best Keyboards for Excel

Best Mouse for Excel

Best Monitors for Excel



Excel Consultation

Recommended Things

About Us

Contact Us

Privacy Policy

Affiliate Disclosure

Terms & Condition



© 2024 Compute Expert