L.2.16.1 Introduction

A SpreadsheetML formula is an equation that performs a calculation that typically involves the values of one or more cells in one or more worksheets.

A formula is an expression that can contain the following: constants (L.2.16.2), operators (L.2.16.3), cell references (L.2.16.4), calls to functions (L.2.16.5), and names (L.2.16.6).

Consider the formula PI()*(A2^2). In this case,

PI() results in a call to the function PI, which returns the value of π.
The cell reference A2 returns the value in that cell.
2 is a numeric constant.
The caret (^) operator raises its left operand to the power of its right operand.
The parentheses, ( and ), are used for grouping.
The asterisk (*) operator performs multiplication of its two operands.