At their most basic, Excel formulas can perform basic math functions and display a solution. For example, the formula "=2+2" will display "4" in the cell.

For example, in the formula "=PRODUCT(A1,A3:A5,B1,10)" — Excel would multiply (A1 x A3 x A4 x A5 x B1 x 10) because A3:A5 indicates that it should multiply A3, A4, and A5.