Creating a simple formula in Excel is a breeze! Here's a breakdown of the steps involved:

1. Select the cell where you want the answer to appear: This is the cell that will display the result of your calculation. Click on that cell to make it active.

2. Start with the equal sign (=): This symbol tells Excel that you're entering a formula and not just plain text.

3. Enter your calculation: Here's where you tell Excel what mathematical operation you want to perform. You can use basic arithmetic operators like:
- `+` for addition
- `-` for subtraction
- `*` for multiplication
- `/` for division

4. Include cell references or numbers: Within your formula, you can specify the cells that contain the values you want to operate on. These cell references are written using the column letter followed by the row number (e.g., A1, B3, C10). You can also include actual numbers directly in the formula (e.g., =5+3).

5. Combine references and numbers: You can combine cell references and numbers within your formula for complex calculations. For example, `=A1*2` would multiply the value in cell A1 by 2.

6. Press Enter: Once you've built your formula, press the Enter key on your keyboard. Excel will calculate the result based on your formula and display it in the selected cell.

Example:

Let's say you have values in cells A1 and B1 and you want to add them together. Here's how you would create the formula:

1. Click on the cell where you want the sum to appear (let's say cell C1).
2. Type `=` in the formula bar (or directly in cell C1).
3. Click on cell A1 (or type `A1`) to reference its value.
4. Type the plus sign `+`.
5. Click on cell B1 (or type `B1`) to reference its value.
6. Press Enter.

Cell C1 will now display the sum of the values in cells A1 and B1.

Tips:

- Excel follows the order of operations (PEMDAS) when evaluating formulas. So, multiplication and division happen before addition and subtraction within the same formula. You can use parentheses to override the order if needed.
- You can use a combination of cell references, numbers, and operators to create more complex formulas.
- As you build your formula, the Formula Bar at the top of the Excel window will display what you're typing, which can be helpful for reference.

By following these steps and practicing with different calculations, you'll be a pro at creating simple formulas in no time!