How to divide in Google Sheets (easy guide)

In Google Sheets, there are always various options for basic arithmetic operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. In addition to the division symbol (/), which can be used in any formula, Google Sheets has two different division functions: DIVIDE and QUOTIENT. While DIVIDE works exactly like the division symbol, QUOTIENT returns only the quotient, not the remainder.

In this guide, you will learn how to divide in Google Sheets using three different methods: the division symbol (/), the DIVIDE function, and the QUOTIENT function. You have examples with typed values and cell references using all three methods. You also have step-by-step instructions on how to divide arrays using the division symbol with the ARRAYFORMULA function. Finally, you’ll learn how to customize or replace the error message when you attempt to divide by zero in Google Sheets.

How to divide in Google Sheets?

There are three main ways to divide in Google Sheets: the division symbol (/), the DIVIDE function, and the QUOTIENT function. In the following sections, you have step-by-step instructions on using all three methods to divide values or cell references to those values.

Divide in Google Sheets with the division symbol (/)

In Google Sheets, the division symbol is the forward slash (/). As with other arithmetic operators, you can use them in your formulas with hardcoded values or cell references.

1. In an empty cell, type the equal sign followed by the dividend.

2. Add the division symbol (/), followed by the divisor.

3. Press ‘Enter’ to see the result.

Divide in Google Sheets with the DIVIDE function

The DIVIDE function in Google Sheets has two parameters: DIVIDE(dividend, divisor). The first parameter is the number to be divided, and the second is the number to divide by, which cannot equal zero. For example, if you want to divide five by two: DIVIDE(5,2) = 2.5.

1. In an empty cell, type the equal sign followed by the DIVIDE function.

2. Select the cell containing the dividend or type it directly into the function. Add a comma, followed by the divisor.

3. Close the parenthesis and press ‘Enter’ to see the result.

Divide in Google Sheets with the QUOTIENT function

Like the DIVIDE function, QUOTIENT has two parameters: the dividend and the divisor. Unlike DIVIDE, it returns only the quotient and not the remainder. For example, if you divide five by two using QUOTIENT, you get a different result: QUOTIENT(5,2) = 2.

1. In an empty cell, type the equal sign followed by the QUOTIENT function.

2. Select the cell containing the dividend or type it directly into the function. Add a comma, followed by the divisor.

3. Close the parenthesis and press ‘Enter’ to see the result.

How to divide two cells in Google Sheets?

In most cases, the values you want to divide are already somewhere in your spreadsheet, so you can use the cell references instead of hardcoding values into your formulas. Below, you have examples using all three methods.

Divide two cells with the division symbol (/)

1. Type the equal sign in an empty cell and select the cell containing the dividend. Add the division sign (/) and select the cell with the divisor.

2. Press ‘Enter’ to see the result. To copy the formula, grab the fill handle and drag it down to the last row.

Divide two cells with the DIVIDE function

1. Type the DIVIDE function in an empty cell and select the cell with the dividend. Add a comma and select the cell containing the divisor.

2. Close the parenthesis and press ‘Enter’ to see the result. To copy the formula, grab the fill handle and drag it to the last row.

Divide two cells with the QUOTIENT function

1. Type the QUOTIENT function in an empty cell and select the cell with the dividend. Add a comma and select the cell containing the divisor.

2. Close the parenthesis and press ‘Enter’ to see the result. In this case, you get the quotient but not the remainder. To copy the formula, grab the fill handle and drag it down to the last row.

How to divide columns & rows in Google Sheets?

If you’re working with arrays, the best way to divide them is using the division symbol (/) with the ARRAYFORMULA function. The first example shows how to divide the values in a column or row by a common divisor. The second example shows how to divide the values in one column by the corresponding values in another. Finally, the third example shows how to divide the values in a column by those in a row.

How to divide a column or row by a single value?

Follow the steps below to divide all the values in a column by a common divisor.

1. Type the equal sign and select the column with the dividends.

2. Add the division symbol and select the common divisor.

3. Press Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + Enter to add the ARRAYFORMULA function.

4. Press ‘Enter’ to see the results.

How to divide one column by another?

Follow the steps below to divide the values in one column by the corresponding values in another.

1. Type the equal sign and select the column with the dividends.

2. Add the division symbol and select the column with the divisors.

3. Press Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + Enter to add the ARRAYFORMULA function.

4. Press ‘Enter’ to see the results.

How to divide columns by rows?

Follow the steps below to divide the values in a column by the values in a row.

1. Type the equal sign and select the column with the dividends.

2. Add the division symbol and select the row with the divisors.

3. Press Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + Enter to add the ARRAYFORMULA function.

4. Press ‘Enter’ to see the results.

Google Sheets division by zero

Regardless of which of the three methods you use, if the divisor is zero, you will see the #DIV/0! error message in your cell. However, you can use the IFERROR function to return a zero or a custom message instead.

1. The following table contains zeroes in the quantity column, so the result of dividing by it is a #DIV/0! error message.

2. Wrap the IFERROR function around the division in your formula. If you want the function to return a zero, add it as the second parameter.

3. Press ‘Enter’ to see the result. To copy the formula to the other cells, grab the fill handle and drag it down.

Conclusion

There are multiple ways to divide in Google Sheets. Regardless of your chosen method, you can type in the dividends and divisors or use cell references instead. You know how to use the division symbol (/), the DIVIDE function, and the QUOTIENT function. You also know that the QUOTIENT function differs from the other two methods, as it returns the quotient but not the remainder.

If you’re working with arrays, the quickest way to divide them is using the division symbol with the ARRAYFORMULA function. Finally, you know how to fix the #DIV/0! formula parse error using the Google Sheets IFERROR function.