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A simple formula in Excel contains one mathematical operation only: one number plus a second number equals a third number. Writing a simple formula is really no more difficult than that: 1+1. The only difference in Excel is that all formulas must begin with the equal sign (=). It is not enough to type 1+1 in Excel because what will appear in the cell is "1+1." You must begin the equation with an equal sign, or =1+1. This holds true for any formula, simple or complicated, that adds, subtracts, multiplies or divides.
Let's add two numbers to create a third, 128+345=473. In Excel, this would be expressed by the formula, =128+345, as shown below.

To Create a Simple Formula that Adds Two Numbers:

• Click the cell where the formula will be defined.
• Type the equal sign (=) to let Excel know a formula is being defined.
• Type the first number to be added (128, for example)
• Type the addition sign (+) to let Excel know that an add operation is to be performed.
• Type the second number to be added (345, for example
• Press Enter or click the Enter button on the Formula bar to complete the formula.