(1) An arithmetic expression that solves a problem. For example,
(fahrenheit-32)*5/9 is the formula for converting Fahrenheit to Celsius. See
formula editor.
(2) In spreadsheets, an algorithm that identifies how the data in a specific number of cells is to be calculated. For example,
+C3*D8 means that the contents of cell C3 are to be multiplied by the contents of cell D8 and the results are to be placed in the cell where the formula is located.