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How to copy a formula in Microsoft Excel using a Mac or PC

Written by Meira Gebel
2019-12-03T19:25:00Z
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You can easily copy a formula in Excel to use it somewhere else in a worksheet or save it for later use. Shutterstock

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Titans of Microsoft Excel know the importance and prevalence of using formulas in the program. Formulas in Excel allow users to add and subtract, find the average, median, and much, much more — a staple of the program, really. 

And even if you are an Excel beginner, copying formulas in the program for transfer to another worksheet or just for your personal records, is simple and can be done by just a few clicks of your keyboard. 

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How to copy a formula on Excel using a Mac or PC computer 

Launch Excel from your Mac or PC computer. On your Mac, you can also find the program by opening the Finder app, then selecting "Applications" from the left menu, and clicking "Microsoft Excel."

1. Open a saved workbook or create a new one. 

2. Select the cell where there's a formula. 

How to copy formula in Excel
Select the cell with a formula. Meira Gebel/Business Insider

3. In the formula bar at the top, select the formula by double clicking on it. 

4. Copy the formula by holding "command" + "C" on your Mac or "Ctrl" + "C" on your PC keyboard.  You can also use the menu at the top and select "Edit" then "Copy." The formula will now be copied to your clipboard. 

How to copy formula in Excel
Select copy from the menu. Meira Gebel/Business Insider

5. Open the workbook where you want to paste the formula. In this example we will paste the formula on a new sheet in the existing workbook. 

How to copy formula in Excel
Go to the worksheet where you want to use the formula. Meira Gebel/Business Insider

6. Select the cell where you want the formula to go. 

7. Hold "Command" + "V" on your Mac or "Ctrl" + "V" on your PC keyboard or use the menu at the top and select "Edit" then "Paste." 

How to copy formula in Excel
Paste the formula into the formula bar at the top. Meira Gebel/Business Insider

8. Tap "Enter" on your keyboard to apply the formula.

How to copy formula in Excel
Press "Enter" on your keyboard. Meira Gebel/Business Insider

 

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<span>Meira Gebel is a freelance reporter based in Portland, Oregon. She writes about business, culture, and technology for Insider. Her work has been featured in Digital Trends, Willamette Week, USA Today, and more. She is a graduate of Columbia Journalism School and San Francisco State University. </span> <span>Feel free to reach out to her on Twitter, where she can be found most of the time, <a href="https://twitter.com/MeiraGebel">@MeiraGebel</a>.</span> <span></span>
Meira Gebel
Meira Gebel is a freelance reporter based in Portland, Oregon. She writes about business, culture, and technology for Insider. Her work has been featured in Digital Trends, Willamette Week, USA Today, and more. She is a graduate of Columbia Journalism School and San Francisco State University.  Feel free to reach out to her on Twitter, where she can be found most of the time, @MeiraGebel.

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