What is square root in excel

This article describes the formula syntax and usage of the SQRT function in Microsoft Excel.

Description

Returns a positive square root.

Syntax

SQRT(number)

The SQRT function syntax has the following arguments:

• Number    Required. The number for which you want the square root.

Remark

If number is negative, SQRT returns the #NUM! error value.

Example

Copy the example data in the following table, and paste it in cell A1 of a new Excel worksheet. For formulas to show results, select them, press F2, and then press Enter. If you need to, you can adjust the column widths to see all the data.

Data
-16
Formula	Description	Result
=SQRT(16)	Square root of 16.	4
=SQRT(A2)	Square root of -16. Because the number is negative, the #NUM! error message is returned.	#NUM!
=SQRT(ABS(A2))	Avoiding the #NUM! error message by first using the ABS function to find the absolute value of -16 and then finding the square root.	4

Excel is like a Swiss army knife for calculations. From mathematical to financial, it’s for every single thing you need to calculate. You can calculate simple to most complex things in Excel.

Take an example of a SQUARE ROOT. A square root is a quite common calculation that we do in our day-to-day work, and in Excel, you can calculate it with ease.

You know what?

I have found that there are five different ways to calculate a square root in Excel. Yes, five different methods, which you can use in different situations. 

And today in this post, I’d like to share with you these five simple methods to find a square root of a number in Excel. So let’s learn this thing.

What’s a SQUARE Root?

Before we learn to calculate it, it’s important to understand what it really means, and how we calculate it normally.

Calculating a square root is an inverse calculation for coming back to the root of a square.

So when you calculate the square of 10 by multiplying it by itself, that’s (10 * 10 = 100). Then, square root means coming back from 100 to 10.

You can learn more about it from Wikipedia. But now, let’s learn how we can do this in Excel.

As I said, we can use 5 different ways for the calculation of square root according to the need or personal preference.

Not all methods are the same but useful.

Method-1: Use SQRT Function to find the SQUARE Root of a Number

If you need to use only one method for calculating square root, the SQRT function is that one. It’s a specific function to do this.

You just simply need to refer to a cell or specify a number.

SQRT’s Syntax: Where the number is the number or cell reference which contains the number for which you want to find the square root.

SQRT(number)

Examples:

In the below example, we have the number 625 in cell A1. So, to calculate the square root for this we can insert the below formula (Formula Bar) into B1.

=SQRT(A1)

The value it has returned is 25 which is the square root of 625. As you see, SQRT is simple to use and easy to apply.

If you have a negative number like below then it will return a #NUM!.

So the solution to this problem is to use the ABS function along with SQRT. Here’s an example:

=SQRT(ABS(A1))

When we use ABS it converts a number into an absolute number. That means a converts a negative number into a positive.

Method-2: Calculate the SQUARE Root of a Number Using the POWER Function

Another way to calculate a square root is by using the POWER function. POWER function has more power than SQRT as it returns the result of a number raised Nth to a given power.

POWER’s Syntax:

POWER(number, power)

Where the number is the number or cell’s reference which contains the number for which you want to find the square root and power is the Exponent to raise power too.

Let’s say we need to find the square root of a number from cell A1 (that’s 625) then we can use 1/2 as a powerful argument in this function.

And, the formula would be:

=POWER(A1,1/2)

As you see it returns 25 in the result which is the square root of 625.

Apply an Exponent Formula to Get the SQUARE root of a Number

If we need to insert a simple formula (other than the above two methods) to calculate a square root then we can use a simple formula using the exponent operator.

This formula is just like POWER. The only difference is instead of the function we need to use an exponent operator.

=A1^(1/2)

In the above formula, A1 is the cell where we have a number for which we need to find the square root, and then we used an exponent operator and then (1/2) for the rise to power.

The best benefit of this formula is its application. Apart from the square root, we can use it to calculate the cube root or any nth root.

VBA Code to Show the SQUARE Root of a Number

Let me tell you about a different scenario where we need to check the square root of a number instead of calculating it in a cell.

Code-1

Below is a VBA code that returns the square root when we select a cell and run this code.

Sub getSquareRoot()
Dim rng As Range
Dim sqr As Long
If Application.Selection.Cells.Count > 1 Then
MsgBox "Please select only one cell", vbOKOnly, "Error"
Exit Sub
End If
Set rng = ActiveCell
If IsNumeric(rng) = True Then
sqr = rng ^ (1 / 2)
MsgBox "The Square Root of " & rng & " is " & sqr, vbOKOnly, "Square Root Value"
Else
MsgBox "Please select a numeric value", vbOKOnly, "Error"
End If
End Sub

How this code works

When we run this code, it verifies the value in the selected cell and if that value is a number then it calculates the square root of that number and shows it using a message box. One thing you need to take care, that if you select more than one cell this code will not work.

Code-2

By using the below code we can check to enter a square root of a number without having the actual number in a cell.

Sub getSquareRoot()
Dim sq As Long
Dim sqr As Long
sq = InputBox("Enter the value to calculate square root", "Calculate Square Root")
If IsNumeric(sq) = True Then
sqr = sq ^ (1 / 2)
MsgBox “The Square Root of " & sq & " is " & sqr, vbOKOnly, "Square Root Value"
Else
MsgBox "Please enter a number.", vbOKOnly, "Error"
End If
End Sub

how this code works

When we run this code it shows us an input box asking for the number for which we need to get the square root.

And when we enter that number, it calculates the square root for that number and shows a message box with the square root. You can use any of the above codes which are perfect for you.

5. Using Power Query to Convert Numbers into SQUARE Roots

Here’s another way that we can use if you need to convert multiple numbers into their square roots.

That’s Power Query.

Below we have a table where we have a few numbers and here we want to get the square root of these numbers in one go.

Note: Using a power query for square root is a dynamic method, every time you enter a new value in your table it will return the square root of that number.

• First of all, select any cell from the table and go to Data Tab ➜ Get & Transform Data and click on From Table/Range.

• Once you click on it, Excel opens the power query editor and adds that table to it.
• From here we need to create a new column with square root values and for this go to Add Column tab and click on Custom Column.

• At this point, we have a Custom Column window opened and in this window, we need to add the following:
  • First of all, enter the column name “Square Root” in the column name input box.
  • After that, enter (=Number.Sqrt([Numbers])) in the custom column formula input box and click OK.

• Now we have a new column with square roots of the number we have in the first column.

• From here, you need to delete the first column of the original values. So, right-click on it and click remove.

• After that, go to the home tab and click on close and load too.

• Here you get a window to load data. First of all, select the existing worksheet and add range B1. Second, tick mark “Add to the Data Model”. 

As I said, this table is dynamic. When you enter a new value in the original data table it calculates its square root automatically in your new table when you refresh it. And, we are not using any type of formula here.

Once you calculate a square root from a number, the next thing you can do is add a square root symbol. And for this, we have two different ways which we can use.

1. Using a Shortcut Key

A simple way to add a square root symbol is the shortcut key and the shortcut is Alt + 251. You need to hold down the Alt key as you type 251 on the numeric keypad. and once you release the Alt key, the symbol appears.

2. Add a SQUARE Root Symbol by Applying Custom Formatting

This is the most effective way to add a symbol. All you need to do is, select all the cells, open the custom formatting option, and add formatting into the formatting input bar.

√General

3. VBA to Add a Square Symbol

You can also use below VBA code to apply custom formatting to all the cells in the selection.

Sub add_squareroot()
Selection.NumberFormat = ChrW(8730) & "General"
End Sub

Note: The benefit of using the #2 and #3 methods is you don’t need to add a symbol to all the cells one by one and when you add a symbol to a cell the value in the cell becomes a text and can’t be used further as a number.

sample-file

Conclusion

If you just want to know the square root of a number then the VBA method is the best, select the cell and run the code. Otherwise, formulas are best if you need to use a square root value in further calculations, and we have three different formulas in this list.

Power Query is a dynamic method and one must give it a try.

Now you tell me one thing.

Which is your favorite method to calculate a square root in Excel?

Share your views with me in the comment section, I’d love to hear from you. And, don’t forget to share this list with your friends, I’m sure they will appreciate it.

The Microsoft Excel SQRT function returns the square root of a number. The SQRT function is a built-in function in Excel that is categorized as a Math/Trig Function. It can be used as a worksheet function (WS) in Excel.

The Excel SQRT function returns the square root of a positive number. SQRT returns an error if number is negative.

What is the function of sqrt?

The SQRT function is one of the math and trigonometry functions. It is used to return the square root of a number. where x is a numeric value entered manually or included into the cell you make reference to.

How do you use Excel to root?

How to Find Roots in Excel

1. Calculate a square root. The syntax for the SQRT() function is: =SQRT(number)
2. Calculate an nth root. Use the POWER() function to calculate any root value: =POWER(number,(1/n))
3. Find the cube root in Excel.
4. Calculate the roots of imaginary numbers.

What sqrt stands for?

Definition. SQRT. Square Root. Copyright 1988-2018 AcronymFinder.com, All rights reserved.

What is sqrt in computer?

Calculates the square root of a number. The square root of a number is always positive, even though there may be a valid negative root. The square root s of number a is such that s*s = a. It is the opposite of squaring.

How do you do 12th root in Excel?

Excel has no built-in function to calculate the nth root of a number. To calculate the nth root of a number, simply raise that number to the power of 1/n. 6. For example, 5 * 5 * 5 or 5^3 is 5 raised to the third power.

How do you write square roots?

A square root is written with a radical symbol √ and the number or expression inside the radical symbol, below denoted a, is called the radicand. To indicate that we want both the positive and the negative square root of a radicand we put the symbol ± (read as plus minus) in front of the root.

How do you write square root in Word?

Microsoft Word offers a pre-defined shortcut key for popular symbols such as square root.

1. Type 221a or 221A (does not matter, uppercase or lowercase), immediately after that press Alt+X to insert the square root symbol: √
2. Type 221b or 221B, and press Alt+X to insert the cube root symbol: ∛

What is the value of √?

The square root of 2 or root 2 is represented using the square root symbol √ and written as √2 whose value is 1.414. This value is widely used in mathematics.
Related Topics:

Square Root Table	Square Root From 1 to 25
Square Root Of 3	Square Root Finder
Square Root Tricks	Square Root And Cube Root

What does math sqrt mean in Java?

Math. sqrt() returns the square root of a value of type double passed to it as argument. If the argument is NaN or negative, then the result is NaN.

How do you write an algorithm for square?

Explanation: Algorithm is as follows: Divide the number in two parts with one part containing only the number at unit’s place say part ‘A’, and other part say ‘B’, containing the remaining number. Now square the number at unit’s place. The square will be one of these; {0,1,4,9,16,25,36,49,64,81}.

How do you write 10th root in Excel?

nth root of number

1. =B5^(1/C5) With the POWER function. The POWER function is another way to perform exponentiation in Excel. To get the nth root of a number with POWER, use the number with 1/n for the power argument:
2. =POWER(number,1/n) So for the example shown, the formula in D5 would be:
3. =POWER(B5,1/C5)

What does power mean in Excel?

Description. The Microsoft Excel POWER function returns the result of a number raised to a given power. The POWER function is a built-in function in Excel that is categorized as a Math/Trig Function. It can be used as a worksheet function (WS) in Excel.

How do you calculate root power?

To calculate powers of numbers, multiply the base, or a, by itself, or the exponent or power designated by b. The square root of a number x (denoted √x) is a number multiplied by itself two times in order to get x, while a cubed root is a number multiplied by itself three times.

What is square formula?

Area of square formula = Length × Breadth. Area of square formula = s × s = s²

What is square root 24 simplified?

2√6
The square root is √24 = 2√6.

What is a square of 25?

The square root of 25 is 5. It is the positive solution of the equation x² = 25. The number 25 is a perfect square.
Square Root of 25 in radical form: √25.

1.	What Is the Square Root of 25?
2.	Is Square Root of 25 Rational or Irrational?
3.	How to Find the Square Root of 25?

How do you write square root on the computer?

Open the document in which you want to insert the square root symbol. You can use this method in any Windows app that allows typing, including your web browser. Click the location where you want to insert the symbol. Press and hold Alt and type 2 , then 5 , and then 1 .

What is the square root of 64?

8
The square root of 64 is 8.

What is the square of 2?

1.414
List of Perfect Squares

NUMBER	SQUARE	SQUARE ROOT
2	4	1.414
3	9	1.732
4	16	2.000
5	25	2.236

The square root of a number is used in many mathematical, statistical, engineering, and other types of formulas.

It’s no doubt the reason why many people need to calculate the square root of numbers in Excel.

With such a common task, there are many ways to get it done in Excel.

In this post, I’ll show you 5 ways you can use to calculate the square root of a number.

What is a Square Root of a Number?

The square root of a number is another number that produces the original number when multiplied by itself.

You would say A is the square root of B if and only if A x A = B.

For example, 3 is the square root of 9 because 3 x 3 = 9.

1.5 is the square root of 2.25 because 1.5 x 1.5 = 2.25.

Calculate the Square Root with the Carat Operator

One way you can use to calculate the square root of a number is using the carat (^) operator.

This is Microsoft Excel’s exponentiation operator and will allow you to raise a number to an exponent or power.

Finding the square root of a number is the same as raising that number to a power of 1/2 = 0.5. This is because A^1/2 x A^1/2 = A^(1/2+1/2) = A¹ = A.

= B3 ^ ( 1 / 2 )

You can use the carat operator as above to raise the number in cell B3 to the power of 1/2 or 0.5 which will produce the square root.

Calculate the Square Root with the SQRT Function

Another useful way to get the square root is with the SQRT function.

In fact, the sole purpose of this function is to return the square root of a number you supply it.

Syntax for the SQRT Function

= SQRT ( number )

• number is the positive number of which you would like to calculate the square root.

Note: If you try to find the square root of a negative number, the function will return a #NUM! error. This is because the square root does not exist unless you consider the complex numbers.

Example of the SQRT Function

= SQRT ( B3 )

The above example will return the square root of the number in cell B3. In this case, it returns 2 as the result.

Calculate the Square Root with the POWER Function

The SQRT function is a very focused function with a single-use case of calculating the square root.

There is a more generalized function that will allow you to calculate the exponent of any number including the square root value.

Syntax for the POWER Function

= POWER ( base, exponent )

• base is the number which you would like to calculate the square root.
• exponent is the power to which you would like to raise the base value.

Example of Calculating the Square Root with the POWER Function

= POWER ( B3, 1 / 2 )

If you want to use the POWER function to find the square root, then you can use an exponent of 1/2 = 0.5.

The example above will return the square root of the value in cell B3.

Calculate the Square Root with the SERIESSUM Function

The SERIESSUM is a specialized function that allows you to evaluate a series.

a1xn + a2x(n+m) + a3x(n+2m) +...+ aix(n+(i-1)m) 

A series is just the sum of a sequence of terms like the above generic formula. The SERIESSUM function will evaluate this sum.

Since x^(1/2) is a special case of this generic formula, you can use the SERIESSUM function to evaluate the square root of a value.

Syntax for the SERIESSUM Function

= SERIESSUM ( x, n, m, coefficients )

• x is the input value of the series. This is the value which you would like to evaluate the series at.
• n is the starting power of the series.
• m is the step by which the power will increase in the series.
• coefficients is an array of values (a₁, a₂, a₃,…,a_i) to multiply each term of the series.

Example of Calculating the Square Root with the SERIESSUM Function

Now if you’d like to use the SERIESSUM function to calculate the square root of a number, then all you need to do is use a single value instead of an array of values for the coefficients.

This way the series will only have a single term.

You can then set the starting power as 1/2 and the step increases as 0.

= SERIESSUM ( B3, 1 / 2, 0, 1 )

In the above formula, cell B3 contains the value you wish to find the square root of.

The starting power of the series is n = 1/2 and this will increase by a factor of m = 0 for each term in the series.

Because the coefficients = 1, there will only be one term in the series which will be the square root of B3.

Calculate the Square Root with Power Query

Power query is the best way to import and transform data in Excel.

If your data is from an external source, then you might be using a power query to get the data into Excel.

Power query would also be a great place to add any calculations, such as a square root, during the import.

If your data is already in Excel, you can also use a power query.

Add your data into an Excel table. Select the data and press Ctrl + T to create a table.

Go to the Data tab and press the From Sheet command. This will open up the power query editor with your data.

Go to the Add Column tab and click on Custom Column to create a new column with the square root calculation.

= Number.Sqrt([Numbers])

This will open the Custom Column menu. Give the column a name such as Square Root, and insert the above formula into the formula editor, then press the OK button.

In this example, the Numbers column contains the number which you want to find the square root.

This will create a new column in the data!

You can now go to the Home tab and press the Close and Load button to load the data back into Excel.

The Import Data menu will appear and you can select to load the data into a Table then choose the location where you’d like to load the data. In this example, the data is being loaded into an Existing worksheet in cell D2.

Your data will load into another Excel table with the additional Square Root column.

Conclusions

Excel offers many different options when calculating the square root!

This blog post showed you five different ways you can find the square root of a number.

The carat operator, SQRT function, POWER function, SERIESSUM functions, and power query can all be used to calculate the square root.

Do you know any other methods? Let me know in the comments section below!