How to multiply columns in Excel

How to multiply one column by another with multiplication operator

The easiest way to multiply 2 columns in Excel is by making a simple formula with the multiplication symbol (*). Here's how:

1. Multiply two cells in the first row.

   Supposing, your data begins in row 2, with B and C being the columns to be multiplied. The multiplication formula you put in D2 is as plain as this: =B2*C2

2. Double-click the small green square in the lower-right corner of D2 to copy the formula down the column, until the last cell with data. Done!
   

Since you use relative cell references (without the $ sign) in the formula, the references will change based on a relative position of the row where the formula is copied. For example, the formula in D3 changes to =B3*C3, the formula in D3 becomes =B4*C4, and so on.

How to multiply two columns with PRODUCT function

If you prefer working with Excel functions rather than expressions, you can multiply 2 columns by using the PRODUCT function, which is a specially designed to do multiplication in Excel.

For our sample data set, the formula goes as follows:

=PRODUCT(B2:C2)

As with the multiply symbol, the key point is using relative cell references, so that the formula can adjust properly for each row.

You enter the formula in the first cell, and then copy it down the column as explained in the above example:

How to multiply two columns with an array formula

One more way to multiply entire columns in Excel is by using an array formula. Please don't feel discouraged or intimidated by the words "array formula". This one is very straightforward and easy to use. You simply write down the ranges you want to multiply separated by the multiplication sign, like this:

=B2:B5*C2:C5

To insert this multiplication formula in your worksheets, perform these steps:

1. Select the entire range where you want to enter the formula (D2:D5).
2. Type the formula in the formula bar, and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter. As soon as you do this, Excel will enclose the formula in {curly braces}, which is an indication of an array formula. In no case should you type the braces manually, that won't work.

As the result, Excel will multiply a value in column B by a value in column C in each row, without you having to copy the formula down.

This approach might be useful if you want to prevent accidental deletion or alteration of the formula in individual cells. When such an attempt is made, Excel will show a warning that you cannot change part of an array.

Multiply a column by a number with a formula

As it happens, the fastest way to do multiplication in Excel is by using the multiply symbol (*), and this task is no exception. Here's what you do:

1. Enter the number to multiply by in some cell, say in B1.

   In this example, we are going to multiply a column of numbers by percentage. Since in the internal Excel system percentages are stored as decimal numbers, we can insert either 11% or 0.11 in B1.

2. Write a formula for the topmost cell in the column, locking the reference to the constant number with the $ sign (like $B$1).

   In our sample table, the numbers to be multiplied are in column B beginning in row 4, so the formula goes as follows:

   =B4*$B$1

3. Input the multiplication formula in the topmost cell (C4).
4. Double-click the small green square in the lower-right corner of the formula cell to copy the formula down the column as far as there is any data to the left. That's it!
   

Multiply a column of numbers by the same number with Paste Special

If you want to get the result as values, not formulas, then do a multiplication by using the Paste Special > Multiply feature.

1. Copy the numbers you want to multiply in the column where you want to output the results. In this example, we copy sales values (B4:B7) to the VAT column (C4:C7) because we don't want to override the original sales numbers.
2. Input the constant number to multiply by in some empty cell, say B1. At this point, your data will look similar to this:
   
3. Select the cell with the constant number (B1), and press Ctrl + C to copy it to the clipboard.
4. Select the cells you want to multiply (C4:C7).
5. Press Ctrl + Alt + V, then M, which is the shortcut for Paste Special > Multiply, and then press Enter.

   Or, right-click the selection, choose Paste Special... in the context menu, select Multiply under Operations, and click OK.
   

Either way, Excel will multiply each number in the range C4:C7 by the value in B1 and return the results as values, not formulas:

Multiply a column by a number with Ultimate Suite for Excel

Like Paste Special, this multiplication method returns values rather than formulas. Unlike Paste Special, Ultimate Suite for Excel is user-friendly and intuitive. Here's how you can multiply a column of numbers by another number in a couple of clicks:

1. Select all cells that you want to multiply. If you'd like to keep the original values, copy them to another column where you want to get the results, and select those cells.
2. On the Excel ribbon, go to the Ablebits Tools tab > Calculate group.
3. Select the multiply sign (*) in the Operation box, type the number to multiply by in the Value box, and click the Calculate button.

As an example, let's calculate the 5% bonus on our sales. For this, we copy the sales values from column B to column C, and then either:

• Select the multiply sign (*) in the Operation box, and type 0.05 in the Value box (0.05 represents 5% because 5 percent is five parts of a hundred).
• Select the percent sign (%) in the Operation box, and type 5 in the Value box.

Both methods do multiplication right and produce identical results:

Unlike Excel's Paste Special feature, the Ultimate Suite retains the original Currency format, so no further adjustments to the results are required. If you are curious to try Ultimate Suite's calculation options in your worksheets, you are welcome to download an evaluation version by using the link below.