How to Multiply Numbers and Values in Google Sheets Spreadsheets

Google Sheets provides several easy ways to multiply numbers and values in your spreadsheets. Whether you need to multiply individual cells, ranges of cells, rows, columns, or even entire sheets, Google Sheets has you covered with built-in functions and operators to handle all your math calculations.

Using the Multiply Operator

The simplest way to multiply two numbers or cell values is by using the asterisk (*) multiply operator. Here’s how to use it:

• To multiply two individual cells, type =A1*B1. This will multiply the values in cells A1 and B1.
• To multiply a range by a number, type =A1:A10*5. This will multiply each value across the range of cells by 5.
• You can also multiply rows, columns or entire sheets this way using the asterisk operator.

Using the PRODUCT Function

Another way to multiply is with the PRODUCT function. The PRODUCT function allows you to easily multiply ranges, arrays or multiple values together without needing to reference each cell individually.

Here is the syntax:

=PRODUCT(number1, [number2], ...)

To use PRODUCT:

• To multiply a range: =PRODUCT(B2:B10)
• To multiply multiple cells: =PRODUCT(B2,C7,D13)
• Works great for multiplying rows, columns or sheets

The PRODUCT function automatically handles multiplying all the number, dates or values you specify.

Multiplying Matrices with Array Multiplication

One of the most powerful multiplication features in Google Sheets is array multiplication using the at symbol (@). This allows you to multiply entire ranges as if they were matrices.

To multiply two ranges as matrices:

1. Select the same size ranges of cells, like A1:B2 and D1:E2
2. Type the formula =A1:B2@D1:E2
3. Press CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER to evaluate it as an array formula

This will multiply the two grids element-by-element, just like matrix multiplication works.

You can use array multiplication with ranges of any size – it handles the matrix math for you automatically.

Using Multiplication in Array Formulas

In addition to array multiplication, you can also use regular multiplication within ArrayFormula functions. This allows you to apply multiplication across entire columns or sheets without needing to copy formulas down.

Here is an example multiplying an entire column by 5 using ArrayFormula:

=ArrayFormula(A2:A*5)

This will take every value down the column in A and multiply it by 5 without needing to copy the formula.

Multiplying With Cell References

Cell references allow you to create dynamic multiplication formulas that will update on their own when values change.

For example:

=B1*C1

This will multiply whatever values are entered into cells B1 and C1 automatically.

Using cell references is useful when you want to tie multiplication to data that is variable or frequently updated. The formulas will stay up to date.

Multiplying Date and Time Values

You can even multiply dates and times in Google Sheets. This allows you to extend dates and times by a certain number.

For example:

=A2*10

If A2 contained a date, this would multiply the date by 10 days. You can use decimals to represent partial days.

This makes it easy to add and subtract days, months or years from dates using simple multiplication.

Keyboard Shortcuts for Multiplication

Google Sheets has keyboard shortcuts to speed up multiplication in cells.

• Windows/Linux: CTRL+SHIFT+8 for multiply (*)
• Mac: CMD+8 for multiply

You can also insert cell references with keyboard shortcuts to build quick multiplication formulas between cells.

Multiplying Across Multiple Sheets

To multiply data across multiple sheets, use the Google Sheets IMPORTRANGE function to pull data from one sheet into another for calculations.

For example:

=IMPORTRANGE("URL","Sheet1!A2:C10")

This will import the range from Sheet1 into the current sheet where you can then multiply it by other data.

Using IMPORTRANGE allows you to execute cross-sheet calculations.

Conditional Multiplication With IF Functions

You can use IF functions like IF, IFS and SWITCH to apply multiplication conditionally based on criteria.

For example:

=IF(A5>100, A5*10%, A5*5%) 

This will check if A5 is greater than 100 and multiply it by either 10% or 5% accordingly.

Conditional multiplication is useful for tiered math, discounts, dynamic markup amounts and more.