New to Excel - I want to add a few columns across (P and Q)...How?

I am trying to learn how to add, substract, multiply, and divide columns in
an Excel spreadsheet. I know how to add the contents of a column down that
column but I cannot understand the instructions of how to add columns across
the spreadsheet. I want to be able to add columns to get a result
(P+Q=R...ie OBP+SLG=OPS) as well as multiply, divide and substract. Anyone
offering assistance will be greatly appreciated.

Hi Blake
To add columns, you still need a cell reference, not just a column.
eg, In C1 put =A1+B1
to multiply =A1*B1
To Subtract =A1-B1
To Divide =A1/B1

Once these columns are done you can SUM/Divide, etc, the totals down the page

HTH
Michael

"Blake" wrote:

> I am trying to learn how to add, substract, multiply, and divide columns in
> an Excel spreadsheet. I know how to add the contents of a column down that
> column but I cannot understand the instructions of how to add columns across
> the spreadsheet. I want to be able to add columns to get a result
> (P+Q=R...ie OBP+SLG=OPS) as well as multiply, divide and substract. Anyone
> offering assistance will be greatly appreciated.

Okay, that I can do. Now, how may I write this formula so that the addition
will automatically happen all the way down the column? (ie. in column R, I
want the addition of P1+Q1 and P2+Q2 to be added all the way down column R).
Thanks!

"Michael" wrote:

> Hi Blake
> To add columns, you still need a cell reference, not just a column.
> eg, In C1 put =A1+B1
> to multiply =A1*B1
> To Subtract =A1-B1
> To Divide =A1/B1
>
> Once these columns are done you can SUM/Divide, etc, the totals down the page
>
> HTH
> Michael
>
> "Blake" wrote:
>
> > I am trying to learn how to add, substract, multiply, and divide columns in
> > an Excel spreadsheet. I know how to add the contents of a column down that
> > column but I cannot understand the instructions of how to add columns across
> > the spreadsheet. I want to be able to add columns to get a result
> > (P+Q=R...ie OBP+SLG=OPS) as well as multiply, divide and substract. Anyone
> > offering assistance will be greatly appreciated.

Once you have written the first formula in say R1. Click on the little black
box in the bottom right corner of R1 and drag it down as far as you need to,
and excel will transfer the formula down for you.

Michael

"Blake" wrote:

> Okay, that I can do. Now, how may I write this formula so that the addition
> will automatically happen all the way down the column? (ie. in column R, I
> want the addition of P1+Q1 and P2+Q2 to be added all the way down column R).
> Thanks!
>
> "Michael" wrote:
>
> > Hi Blake
> > To add columns, you still need a cell reference, not just a column.
> > eg, In C1 put =A1+B1
> > to multiply =A1*B1
> > To Subtract =A1-B1
> > To Divide =A1/B1
> >
> > Once these columns are done you can SUM/Divide, etc, the totals down the page
> >
> > HTH
> > Michael
> >
> > "Blake" wrote:
> >
> > > I am trying to learn how to add, substract, multiply, and divide columns in
> > > an Excel spreadsheet. I know how to add the contents of a column down that
> > > column but I cannot understand the instructions of how to add columns across
> > > the spreadsheet. I want to be able to add columns to get a result
> > > (P+Q=R...ie OBP+SLG=OPS) as well as multiply, divide and substract. Anyone
> > > offering assistance will be greatly appreciated.

You may find this "Basics in Excel" tutorial website handy: http://www.usd.edu/trio/tut/excel/ Add the site to your favourites.