Calculating Factorials in Excel

This worksheet demonstrates examples of using Excel functions to find factorials based
on a specific dataset.

A factorial represents the product of the positive integers up to, and including, the
factorial number. For example, 4! = 4*3*2*1. Excel calculates factorials easily using
the FACT function.
The FACT function [FACT(number)] contains one variable. "Number" must be a nonnegative number.
Follow these steps to calculate factorials in Excel:
1) Click an output cell for the solution. (Use J18 for this example.)

Dataset 1
9

2) Click the function button (fx), select All in the left pane to display all Excel functions,
and double-click FACT in the right pane.
3) A dialog box appears and asks for data. You can enter a cell ID for a number for which
you want the factorial, or you may simply type a number in the "Number" box. (To
enter a cell ID, click in the Number box, and then click in the cell containing the data.)
Click OK.
4) Excel calculates the factorial and displays the answer in the output cell. (The answer
for this example is 362880.)
Note: A number greater than 13 renders a factorial that is more than 10 digits long. It
isn't feasible to calculate factorials for large numbers -- 500, for example.
Repeat these steps with the other datasets. (The answer for the second dataset is 24;
the answer for the third dataset is 87178291200.)
Dataset 2

Dataset 3
4

14

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