This guide covers everything you need to know about the Google Sheets MULTIPLY function, including its definition, syntax, use cases, and how to use it.
What is the MULTIPLY Function? How Does It Work?
The MULTIPLY function in Google Sheets takes two numerical values as arguments and returns the product of those numbers. This function is the equivalent of using the * operator in mathematical operations.
The MULTIPLY function in Google Sheets is used to multiply two numbers together. It’s really helpful when you want to find out what two specific numbers equal when multiplied without having to use complicated formulas.
One key thing to note about the MULTIPLY function is that, unlike the PRODUCT function, it only supports the multiplication of two scalar values. This means it does not accept ranges of cells or more than two arguments. So if you need to multiply more than two numbers or a range of cells, you need to use the PRODUCT function instead.
For instance, if you have the numbers 2 and 3 in cells A2 and B2, entering the formula =MULTIPLY(A2, B2) in another cell would return 6, which is the product of 2 and 3.
The MULTIPLY function is a part of a suite of functions in Google Sheets designed for various mathematical operations, including SUM (addition), QUOTIENT (division without remainder), PRODUCT (multiplication of a series of numbers), MINUS (subtraction), DIVIDE (division), and ADD (addition).
MULTIPLY Syntax
The syntax and arguments for the function are as follows:
MULTIPLY(factor1, factor2)
Where:
- factor1 – This is the first multiplicand. It represents the first number you want to multiply.
- factor2 – This is the second multiplicand. It represents the second number you want to multiply.
Here are some important usage notes related to the syntax and arguments of the MULTIPLY function:
- The MULTIPLY function only supports the multiplication of two scalar values. Scalar values are individual numbers, not ranges or arrays.
- Unlike the PRODUCT function, MULTIPLY does not accept more than two arguments, meaning you can only use two individual numbers at a time with this function.
- Both factor1 and factor2 must be numeric values. If either of the factors is non-numeric, the function will return an error.
- If either factor1 or factor2 is left blank or omitted, the function will consider it as zero.
Examples of How to Use the MULTIPLY Function
Here are some practical examples that illustrate how the MULTIPLY function can be used in Google Sheets.
Example #1: Multiplying Two Numbers
Suppose you want to multiply 5 by 10. You can use the MULTIPLY function to do this. In an empty cell, type the following:
=MULTIPLY(5,10)
After pressing enter, the cell will display the result, which is 50.
Example #2: Multiplying Cells
The MULTIPLY function can also be used to multiply values in different cells. Let’s say you have the number 5 in cell A1 and 10 in cell B1. To multiply these two numbers, type the following in an empty cell:
=MULTIPLY(A1,B1)
After pressing enter, the cell will display the result, which is 50.
Why Is MULTIPLY Not Working? Troubleshooting Common Errors
If you’re having trouble with the MULTIPLY function in Google Sheets, don’t worry. You’re not alone. Here are some common errors you might encounter, their causes, and how to fix them.
#VALUE! Error
Cause: This error typically occurs when one or more of the arguments in your MULTIPLY function are not numbers. Google Sheets can only perform multiplication operations on numeric values. You’ll get this error if you’re trying to multiply text or an empty cell.
Solution: Check the cells referenced in your MULTIPLY function. Make sure all of them contain numeric values. If a cell is empty or contains text, replace it with a number or change your formula to reference a cell with a number.
#N/A Error
Cause: This error often occurs when you’re trying to multiply a range of cells, but the range you’ve specified does not exist or is incorrect. For instance, if you attempt to multiply the range A1:B2, but cells B1 and B2 do not exist, you’ll get the #N/A error.
Solution: Double-check the range specified in your MULTIPLY function. Make sure all cells within the range exist and contain valid data. If necessary, adjust your formula to reference a valid range.
#REF! Error
Cause: The #REF! error usually happens when your MULTIPLY function references a cell that’s been deleted. If you’ve deleted a row, column, or individual cell your formula was referencing, Google Sheets won’t be able to find the data it needs to perform the multiplication operation.
Solution: To resolve this error, revisit your MULTIPLY formula. Identify which cell references are causing the problem. If you’ve deleted the cells, you’ll need to either undo the deletion or adjust your formula to reference existing cells.
#DIV/0! Error
Cause: While this error isn’t specifically related to the MULTIPLY function, it can occur if your multiplication operation involves division by zero somewhere in your worksheet. Google Sheets cannot perform a division operation where the divisor is zero.
Solution: Review your worksheet for any division operations where the divisor might be zero. Replace the zero with a valid number or adjust your formula to avoid dividing by zero.
#NUM! Error
Cause: This error happens when the result of your multiplication operation is too large for Google Sheets to handle. Google Sheets can only handle numbers up to 1.0E+308. If your multiplication result exceeds this limit, you’ll get the #NUM! error.
Solution: If possible, simplify your MULTIPLY operation to ensure the result is within the range that Google Sheets can handle. If you’re working with extremely large numbers, you may need to use a different tool or software that can handle larger numbers.
Using MULTIPLY With Other Google Sheets Functions
Combining the MULTIPLY function with other Google Sheets functions can make your calculations more complex and powerful. Here are some examples of how you can use MULTIPLY with other functions:
With SUM
Usage: The SUM function is used to add all numbers in a range of cells. By combining it with the MULTIPLY function, you can perform operations such as multiplying the sum of a range of numbers by another number.
Example: Suppose you have a range of numbers in cells A1 to A5 and want to multiply the sum of these numbers by 2. The formula would be: =MULTIPLY(SUM(A1:A5),2)
With AVERAGE
Usage: The AVERAGE function calculates the average of a range of numbers. When combined with the MULTIPLY function, you can perform operations such as multiplying the average of a range of numbers by another number.
Example: Suppose you have a range of numbers in cells B1 to B5 and want to multiply the average of these numbers by 3. The formula would be: =MULTIPLY(AVERAGE(B1:B5),3)
With COUNT
Usage: The COUNT function counts the number of cells that contain numbers in a range. If you combine this with the MULTIPLY function, you can perform operations such as multiplying the count of a range of numbers by another number.
Example: Suppose you have a range of numbers in cells C1 to C5 and want to multiply the count of these numbers by 4. The formula would be: =MULTIPLY(COUNT(C1:C5),4)
With IF
Usage: The IF function performs a logical test and returns one value if the test evaluates to TRUE and another value if the test evaluates to FALSE. Combining this with the MULTIPLY function allows you to multiply a number by a certain value if a condition is met.
Example: Suppose you want to multiply the number in cell D1 by 5 if the number is greater than 10. Otherwise, you want to multiply it by 2. The formula would be: =IF(D1>10, MULTIPLY(D1,5), MULTIPLY(D1,2))
For more details on the MULTIPLY function, check out the official documentation at the Google Docs Editors Help Center.
