Math & Trig
PRODUCT Function in Excel
Multiplies all the numbers given as arguments.
Syntax
- =PRODUCT(number1, [number2], ...)
Arguments
- number1 (required): First number or range to multiply
- number2 (optional): Additional numbers or ranges
Examples
- =PRODUCT(2, 3, 4) - Multiply 2*3*4 - Result: 24
- =PRODUCT(A1:A5) - Multiply all values in range - Result: Product of range
Excel PRODUCT function documentation
- PRODUCT multiplies all numbers in a range or argument list.
- Syntax: =PRODUCT(number1, [number2], ...). Ignores text and blank cells.
- Use for compound growth factors, unit conversions chains, and probability products.
- Related: [SUM](/functions/sum/), [POWER](/functions/power/), [EXP](/functions/exp/).
PRODUCT syntax and behavior
- Empty cells skipped; zeros zero the product.
- Text that looks like number may coerce in some contexts — clean data first.
- Single negative flips sign; even negatives → positive product.
- Large products may overflow — use LOG sum for stability in models.
Step-by-step: compound price index
- Step 1 — Monthly growth factors (1.02, 0.98, ...) in B2:B13.
- Step 2 — =PRODUCT(B2:B13) for full-year compound multiplier.
- Step 3 — Base * PRODUCT = indexed value.
- Step 4 — Compare EXP(SUM(LN(range))) for log-sum trick on long series.
- Step 5 — Document factors vs percent changes clearly.
PRODUCT vs chained multiplication
- PRODUCT — range-friendly multiply.
- A1*A2*A3 — explicit small lists.
- SUMPRODUCT — multiply then sum pairs.
- Math hub: [/categories/math-trig/](/categories/math-trig/).
Worked examples to copy
- Range: =PRODUCT(A2:A10).
- With one zero: =PRODUCT(B2:B5) → 0 if any zero.
- Growth: =PRODUCT(1+growth_range).
- Scalar list: =PRODUCT(2,3,4).
People also ask
- PRODUCT ignore text? — Yes; text cells skipped.
- PRODUCT empty range? — Returns 0 in Excel.
- PRODUCT vs SUMPRODUCT? — PRODUCT multiplies all; SUMPRODUCT dot products then sums.
- PRODUCT overflow? — Use logs for very large chains.
Common errors
- Empty cells and text are ignored
Use cases
- Compound calculations
- Factorial-like operations
- Batch multiplication
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between PRODUCT and using * operator? PRODUCT can multiply entire ranges: =PRODUCT(A1:A10) multiplies all 10 values. Using * requires listing each: =A1*A2*A3... PRODUCT also ignores empty cells and text, while * would cause errors.
- How do I calculate compound growth with PRODUCT? If you have growth rates (1.05, 1.03, 1.08...), =PRODUCT(rates)-1 gives total growth. For $1000 with those rates: =1000*PRODUCT(A1:A3). This is cleaner than =1000*A1*A2*A3 for many periods.
- Why does PRODUCT return 0 when my range has a zero? Any number multiplied by 0 equals 0. If one cell in your range is 0, PRODUCT returns 0. To exclude zeros: use =PRODUCT(IF(range<>0, range, 1)) as an array formula, or filter out zeros first.
Editorial review
- Reviewed by Excel.Directory Editorial Team. Updated May 2026.
When to use PRODUCT
- Compound calculations — common Math & Trig scenario for PRODUCT.
- Factorial-like operations — common Math & Trig scenario for PRODUCT.
- Batch multiplication — common Math & Trig scenario for PRODUCT.
PRODUCT in the Math & Trig category
- Browse all Math & Trig functions at /categories/math-trig/ for related formulas.
- PRODUCT syntax: =PRODUCT(number1, [number2], ...)
- number1 (required): First number or range to multiply
- number2 (optional): Additional numbers or ranges
- Confirm PRODUCT arguments match the syntax shown above before filling down.
- Lock table and range references with $ when copying formulas across rows or sheets.
Formula checklist before you copy down
- Confirm PRODUCT arguments match the syntax shown above before filling down.
- Lock table and range references with $ when copying formulas across rows or sheets.
- If results look wrong, check for text stored as numbers and invisible spaces with TRIM.
- Spot-check three known input rows manually against expected output.
Related Excel functions
- SUM (/functions/sum/): Adds all the numbers in a range of cells.
- SUMPRODUCT (/functions/sumproduct/): Returns the sum of the products of corresponding ranges or arrays.
- POWER (/functions/power/): Returns the result of a number raised to a power.
Errors to watch for
- Empty cells and text are ignored — review causes on linked error pages in the directory.
Copy-paste audit workflow
- Enter PRODUCT on three test rows with known expected output documented on a QA tab.
- Fill down only after absolute references are locked on lookup tables and rate tables.
- Compare against manual calculation or a calculator for financial and statistical functions.
- Search this directory for comparison guides when choosing between similar functions in the same category.
PRODUCT worked examples to copy
- =PRODUCT(2, 3, 4) — Multiply 2*3*4. Expected result: 24.
- =PRODUCT(A1:A5) — Multiply all values in range. Expected result: Product of range.
PRODUCT reference summary for crawlers and offline review
- PRODUCT belongs to the Math & Trig category in Excel. Multiplies all the numbers given as arguments.
- Full syntax: =PRODUCT(number1, [number2], ...). Open /functions/product/ for parameters, FAQs, and related pages.
- Common mistakes: Empty cells and text are ignored
- Pair this function with comparison guides when another Excel formula might fit the same task better.
- Review fix-excel-formula-errors when unexpected errors appear after upgrading Excel or sharing across locales.