What is SQRT function in Excel?
SQRT function is one of the Math and Trig functions in Microsoft Excel that returns a positive square root.
Syntax of SQRT function
SQRT(number)
The SQRT function syntax has the following arguments:
- Number: The number for which you want the square root.
SQRT formula explanation
If number is negative, SQRT returns the #NUM! error value.
Example of SQRT function
Steps to follow:
1. Open a new Excel worksheet.
2. Copy data in the following table below and paste it in cell A1
Note: For formulas to show results, select them, press F2 key on your keyboard and then press Enter.
You can adjust the column widths to see all the data, if need be.
| 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 |