Square Root Formula in Excel (SQRT)

The SQRT function in Excel is one of the many MATH & TRIGONOMETRY functions. When we multiply the number with the same number, we get the square root of a number.

For example, the square root of the number 25 is 5 because if we multiply the number 5 by 5, we will get a value of 25.

We can also write the equation this way.

52

If you are a newbie to mathematics, you may think 5*2, which will return the result as 10. But it will solve the above equation like this:

5 * 5 = 25.

Negative Square

Square root works for negative numbers as well. Now, look at the below examples.

If the number -6 is squared, we will get a positive number of 36.

-6 * -6 = +36. As per the mathematics rule, we will get a positive number if we multiply the negative sign with the negative sign.

And off course, 6 * 6 = 36 as well.

So, the square root of 36 is either 6 or -6.

Square root in Excel is a brainer. It works the same way too. With manual calculation, we need some calculators to do the task. But in Excel, it is just a supply of the number to the formula SQRT.

Syntax

Number: This is the only parameter the SQRT function has. We need to supply the number we are trying to find the square root value.

We must remember that the square root formula can return the result only for positive numbers. If we supply the negative number, we will get #NUM! Error.

How to Calculate Square Root (SQRT) in Excel? (With Examples)

In Excel, we can calculate the square root not only by using the square root but also in several other ways.

Example #1

Example #2

In this article’s earlier section, we mentioned that the square root in the Excel formula could work only for positive numbers. If we supply the negative number, we will get #NUM! Error.

  • Copy these numbers to Excel. Open the formula in the B2 cell. In this case, select the required cell, i.e., A2. Now, drag and drop the formula to the remaining cells.

But we can apply another formula with the SQRT function to get this done. Now, look at the below negative numbers.

We have applied the SQRT Excel function, and we got #NUM! Errors due to negative numbers.

To solve this issue, first, we need to convert all the negative numbers into positive ones. So, we will use the ABS functionABS FunctionABS Excel function or Absolute function is used to calculate the absolute value of a given number. The negative numbers given as input are changed to positive numbers and if the argument provided to this function is positive, it remains unchanged.read more, which can return the absolute value of a negative number. We do not need to apply this formula separately. Instead, we can nest this formula inside the SQRT function itself.

Firstly, the ABS function will convert the negative number to a positive number. Then, the SQRT Excel function will work properly because of the positive number supplied by the ABS function.

Example #3

We have learned how to calculate the square root number in the Excel formula. But we can find the square of the number too.

Now, look at the numbers below.

If we multiply the 6 with 6, we will get 36. As a result, i.e., the square root of the number 36 is 6. But we do not have any special formula to calculate the square value. But still, we can do this, which is the power of Excel.

Things to Remember

  • The SQRT function can accept only numbers. If you supply anything other than the numerical value, we will get #VALUE! Error.The SQRT function accepts only positive numbers. If you supply negative numbers, it will return the result as #NUM! Error.We must hold the “ALT” key and type 251 from the number keypad to insert the square root symbol.

This article has been a guide to Square Root in Excel. Here, we discuss how to calculate square root using the SQRT formula in Excel, along with examples and downloadable Excel templates. You may also look at these useful functions in Excel: –

  • Adjusted R SquaredAdjusted R SquaredAdjusted R Squared refers to the statistical tool which helps the investors in measuring the extent of the variance of the variable which is dependent that can be explained with the independent variable and it considers the impact of only those independent variables which have an impact on the variation of the dependent variable.read moreR Squared FormulaR Squared FormulaR Squared formula depicts the possibility of an event’s occurrence within an expected outcome. It is “r = n (∑xy) – ∑x ∑y / √ [n* (∑x2 – (∑x)2)] * [n* (∑y2 – (∑y)2)]”, where r is the Correlation coefficient, n is the number in the given dataset, x is the first variable in the context and y is the second variable. read moreExcel Not RespondingExcel Not RespondingWhen the Excel software hangs or freezes in the middle of a task, the “Excel no responding” message pops. There are multiple reasons which leads to such errors and there are multiple ways to troubleshoot his problem as well.read moreGrade Excel FormulaGrade Excel FormulaThe Grade system formula is actually a nested IF formula in excel that checks certain conditions and returns the particular Grade if the condition is met. It is developed to check all conditions we have for the grade slab, and the grade that belongs to the condition is returned. read more