Syntax
POWER(number, power)
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| number | Parameter of the POWER function. |
| power | Parameter of the POWER function. |
Examples
Compound interest
Formula
=1000*POWER(1+0.05, 10)
Returns: 1628.89 — $1,000 invested at 5% annual interest compounded for 10 years
Square a number
Formula
=POWER(A2, 2)
Returns: 25 — squares the value 5 (5^2 = 25)
Cube root
Formula
=POWER(A2, 1/3)
Returns: 3 — the cube root of 27 (27^(1/3) = 3)
Common Errors
#NUM!
Trying to raise a negative number to a non-integer power (like the square root of -1). This produces a complex number that spreadsheets cannot handle.
#VALUE!
One of the arguments is text, not a number. Both base and exponent must be numeric.
Tips
Caret shortcut
=A1^2 is the same as =POWER(A1, 2). The ^ operator is shorter but POWER is more readable in complex formulas.
Roots via POWER
Square root: POWER(x, 0.5) or SQRT(x). Cube root: POWER(x, 1/3). Nth root: POWER(x, 1/N).
Growth calculations
=POWER(ending/beginning, 1/years)-1 calculates the compound annual growth rate (CAGR).
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