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Learn when should you use PRODUCT() and when to use *.You will also learn what does * do on Excel, and an you use * in Excel formula. And does asterisk mean multiply in Excel.
You will understand the difference between "*" operator and product function essentially, "*" operator vs product function.

In Excel, the PRODUCT() function and the "*" operator are used for multiplication, but they have some differences in how they are used and the context in which they are applied. Let me explain with and example.

A) "*" Operator:
The "*" operator is used for simple multiplication between two or more values directly in a formula. You use the "*" operator when you want to multiply values that are already present in the formula or in specific cells. The "*" operator can be used in various contexts within Excel formulas.
Example:
=A1 * B1
This formula would multiply the value in cell A1 by the value in cell B1.

B) PRODUCT() Function:
The PRODUCT() function is a built-in Excel function used for multiplying a range of numbers. It takes one or more numeric arguments and returns their product. It is often used when you need to multiply numbers that are located in different cells or when you want to multiply a range of values.
The syntax for the PRODUCT() function is: =PRODUCT(number1, [number2], ...).
Example:
=PRODUCT(A1:A3)
This formula would multiply the values in cells A1, A2, and A3.
Bute the PRODUCT() function can also be used to multiply multitude of cells with ease. For example, you can multiple a range of cell value using the range format like this, which will multiple value in cells A1 to A24.
=PRODUCT(A1:A24)

In summary, the key difference is that the PRODUCT() function is a specific Excel function designed for multiplying a range of values, while the "*" operator is a general multiplication operator that can be used for simple multiplication within formulas. Depending on your specific needs and the structure of your data, you would choose between them accordingly.


What does * do on Excel?,Can you use * in Excel formula?,Does asterisk mean multiply in Excel?,How do you multiply with an asterisk in Excel?,
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Transcript
00:00Someone recently inquired, what's the real difference between an asterisk operator and
00:04the product function? Well, this is the difference. Let me show you what I mean by that with an
00:09example here. Let's say, for example, if you have to multiply these three numbers here
00:12using the asterisk operator, what you do is say equal this one, asterisk that one,
00:20asterisk that one, and hit enter, you'll get the answer of 36. Likewise, if you have to use the
00:26product function, you'll say equal product. First argument will be this, comma, second,
00:34comma, third argument, and close parenthesis, and hit enter, and you'll produce the same
00:38results. Where the things start to differ is when you start to multiply big numbers. So if you were
00:44to use a asterisk operator, this is what it looks like. As you can see, to get the final result,
00:54there's a whole lot of typing that you're going to have to do. But if you were to use a product
00:58function for a large number like this, all you have to do simply is say equal product,
01:04like this, same thing. The first argument would be the actual highlight of the whole series of
01:09numbers that you want to multiply, like this, and then close parenthesis and hit enter.
01:14And it will give you the final answer without those laborious typing.
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