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How to Use Excel GCD Function?

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GCD FunctionPin
GCD Function

The term GCD stands for Greatest Common Divisor. It is one of the mathematical operations used to get the greatest common divisor of two or more integer values. To be more precise, GCD is the largest integer value that goes into all supplied numbers without a remainder. We all know that Excel provides many built-in functions to perform calculations. It also provides the GCD function, so you can easily use it.

Let us see how to use the Excel GCD function in the spreadsheet with simple scenarios. Get an official version of MS Excel from the following link:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-in/microsoft-365/excel

GCD Function in ExcelPin
GCD Function in Excel

What is the GCD Function?

GCD is one of the built-in functions in Microsoft Excel. It comes under Math functions. We can use this function in our spreadsheet whenever we want to get the greatest common divisor of the given integer values.

1) Syntax

  • This is the basic syntax of the Excel GCD Function.

=GCD(number1, [number2], …)

2) Arguments

  • number1 – The first input number.
  • number2 – It is optional. The second number.

3) Motive

  • This function helps to find the greatest common divisor of two or more integer values.

4) Return Value

  • It returns the greatest common divisor of given numbers.

Note:
1) If any argument is non-numeric, it returns #VALUE! Error.
2) If you give any argument as less than zero, it returns #NUM! Error value.

What Will GCD Function Do?

As we said earlier, the GCD function will return the greatest common divisor of the given integer values. This function is categorized as “Math” in Excel. For example, GCD(8,4) returns the output as 4. Let’s see an example scenario to make you understand it easily.

Step 1: For example, we have a set of integer values in the range B3:C7. and we want to get the greatest common divisor of these values with the help of the GCD function.

Input RangePin
Input Range

Step 2: Now, we need to apply the following formula in any cell where we want to get the result.

=GCD(B3:C3)

Enter the formulaPin
Enter the formula

Step 3: Now, click on the Enter button to get the result.

OutputPin
Output

Step 4: In order to fill down the remaining cells, you just need to drag the first cell. It will auto-fill the remaining values, as shown in the below image.

Fill down valuesPin
Fill down values

We hope that the given scenario helped you to understand the GCD function. Move to the below section if you have any confusion related to the working nature of this function.

Alternate Example

Here we will see how to apply the GCD function in the spreadsheet with simple examples.

1) Suppose you want to get the greatest common divisor of specific values on your spreadsheet, then you can directly apply the formula in the cell.

2) For example, we want to find the GCD of the integers 28, 10, & 22. We can apply the following formula in a cell where we want the result.

=GCD(28,10,22)

Type the formulaPin
Type the formula

3) Hit the Enter button to get the result, as shown in the below image.

ResultPin
Result

By doing so, you can quickly get the greatest common divisor values of the given integers using the GCD function.

Inputs that Cause Errors

  • If any argument is non-numeric, it returns #VALUE! Error.
Example 2Pin
Example
  • If you give any argument as less than zero, it returns #NUM! Error value.
Example 3Pin
Num Error

Citations

To understand the usage of the GCD function, we have referred to the following articles. They helped us to know the purpose of this function. You can also check them out using the links: GCD function[1], and What is GCD in maths?[2].

  1. https://www.causal.app/formulae/gcd-excel
  2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greatest_common_divisor

A Brief Summary

With the help of the given scenarios and examples, you can easily understand the purpose of the GCD function in Excel and how to apply it in the spreadsheet. The screenshots help to learn it even easier. Drop your feedback in the below comment section. Thanks for visiting AawExcel. Keep Learning!!

If you want to know what people think about this GCD Function of Excel, then we suggest you look for it on the Quora interaction webpage. From there you can get to know more about the Excel GCD function. Here, we have provided the link to Quora’s official website.

Video Tutorial

The following video will show you how to use the Excel GCD function in the spreadsheet with proper examples.

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