Fabulous Examples of Excel Functions:
the PRODUCT Function for Multiplication
Microsoft Excel has many built-in functions to perform calculations. In this tutorial, we discuss the PRODUCT function for multiplying. Don't forget that every Excel function begins with an equal = sign unless the function is imbedded inside of another function.
Author: Patricia Lynn
If you are new to Excel math, we recommend you begin by reading Excel Math Basics: A Beginner's Guide.
PRODUCT
This Excel function multiplies the numbers provided as arguments, and displays the product calculated. (A product is the result of a multiplication). The syntax of the PRODUCT function is:
=PRODUCT(number1,number2,number3, ... )
… where number1, number2, etc. are from 1 to 255 arguments, for which you want the product. The arguments can contain cell references, formulas, or functions. Cells that are empty, contain text, or otherwise cannot be evaluated will be ignored by Excel (see Important Note below).
- =PRODUCT(4,3) This Excel function multiplies 4 and 3 and returns a value of 12
- =PRODUCT(A1:A4) This Excel function multiplies the contents of A1 through A4. This would be the same as the formula A1*A2*A3*A4
- =PRODUCT(D4,E4,3) This Excel function multiplies the contents of D4 and E4, and then multiplies the result by the number 3
Now let's review, in the image below, more complex examples of the PRODUCT function. Five sample functions are in Column A. The function text is displayed in column B. The cells referenced in the functions are in column C.
Example 1: In this example, Excel will find the product of the values in cells C2 through C4 (2 x 4 x 3 = 24) and divide the product by 2 (24 ÷ 2 = 12)
Example 2: This example illustrates that the arguments of the PRODUCT function can contain other functions. Here, Excel finds the sum of C1 and C2 (10), and the sum of C3 and C4 (7); and then calculates their product (10 x 7 = 70)
Example 3: The PRODUCT function can be used inside other functions. Here Excel will first find the product of C1 and C2 (8 x 2 = 16), and then calculate the square root of 16 (4)
Example 4: This example shows a PRODUCT function inside an IF function. Since the logical test is true (8 x 2 is > 10), Excel displays "Good" in the cell. For more information about the IF function, see our tutorial Microsoft Excel Functions: IF and Nested IFs
Example 5: Here we illustrate a PRODUCT function as part of an AND function, used with an IF function. Since both arguments of the AND function are true, Excel displays "Pass" in the cell. For more information about the AND function, see our tutorial Microsoft Excel Functions: AND and OR
Important Note: There is a bug in Microsoft Excel (explained in KB61892) such that the PRODUCT function treats a blank cell as if it has the value of 1, not 0 as many would prefer. For example, in the function =PRODUCT(B9,44), if cell B9 was blank, Excel would evaluate the value of the function as 44. If the blank cell had been given the value of 0, then the value would have been zero (0 x 44 = 0).
Microsoft's answer to this dilemma is to write the formula as follows: =PRODUCT(B9*1,44). Written this way, Excel would evaluate the function to have a value of 0. There is no solution if you are multiplying a range of cells or an array that contains a blank cell. In that case you must ensure that no cell referenced in a PRODUCT function is allowed to be left blank if doing so will cause incorrect results.
In Conclusion
Each Excel function begins with an equal = sign unless the function is imbedded inside of another function. We also recommend locking cells that contain functions or formulae, and protecting the worksheet. Instructions can be found in our tutorial Excel Made Easy: A Beginner's Guide - "Locking Cells and Protecting Worksheets."
We hope this article has been helpful. Cheers!
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