Find the Remainder When Dividing With Excel's MOD Function GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Software & Apps > MS Office

Find the Remainder When Dividing in Excel

Formula syntax and usage of MOD

By Ted French Ted French Writer Former Lifewire writer Ted French is a Microsoft Certified Professional who teaches and writes about spreadsheets and spreadsheet programs. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on March 1, 2020 Tweet Share Email Robert Brook / Science Photo Library / Getty Images Tweet Share Email MS Office Excel Word Powerpoint Outlook The MOD function, short for modulo or modulus, divides numbers in Excel. However, unlike regular division, the MOD function only gives the remainder as an answer. Uses for this function in Excel include combining it with conditional formatting to produce alternate row and column shading, which makes it easier to read large blocks of data. The information in this article applies to Excel for Microsoft 365, Excel 2019, Excel 2016, Excel 2013, Excel 2010, and Excel for Mac.

MOD Function Syntax and Arguments

A function's syntax refers to the layout of the function and includes the function's name, brackets, and arguments. The syntax for the MOD function is: MOD(Number, Divisor) Number is the number being divided and Divisor is the number by which you want to divide the Number argument. The Number argument can be a number entered directly into the function or a cell reference to the location of the data in a worksheet. The MOD function returns the #DIV/0! error value for the following conditions: If a zero is entered for the Divisor argument.If a cell reference to a blank cell is entered for the Divisor argument.

Use Excel' s MOD Function

Enter data into the cells. To follow along with this tutorial, enter 5 in cell D1 and enter 2 in cell D2. Select cell E1. This is where the results will display. Select the Formulas tab. Choose Math & Trig to open a drop-down list. Select MOD to open the Function Arguments dialog box. In the dialog box, place the cursor in the Number text box. Select cell D1 on the worksheet. In the dialog box, place the cursor in the Divisor text box. Select cell D2 on the worksheet. Select OK in the dialog box. The answer 1 appears in cell E1 (5 divided by 2 leaves a remainder of 1). Select cell E1 to see the complete function, =MOD( D1,D2), in the formula bar above the worksheet. Since the MOD function only returns the remainder, the integer portion of the division operation (2) is not displayed. To show the integer as part of the answer, use the QUOTIENT function. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Combine the ROUND and SUM Functions in Excel How to Use the Round Function in Excel How to Subtract Dates in Excel Use Excel's EOMONTH Function to Add or Subtract Months How to Count Data in Selected Cells With Excel's COUNTIF Function Use the Excel RIGHT Function to Extract Characters How to Round Numbers Down in Excel With the ROUNDDOWN Function How to Use Excel's MROUND Function Excel QUOTIENT Function: Divide Numbers How to Use the Excel TRUNC Function Excel SUMIFS: Sum Only Values Meeting Multiple Criteria How to Use the DAY function in Excel Round up Numbers in Excel With the ROUNDUP Function How to Use a Dynamic Range in Excel With COUNTIF and INDIRECT How to Use the Google Spreadsheets AVERAGE Function Ignore Error Values When Finding the Average in Excel Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies