Formula

Hi Cindy, Thank you for your post, () or Parentheses are basically brackets. Using brackets in your formulas is a good habit to get into even when they are not strictly needed because they help to clarify the order and make the formula easier to understand. Consider the Acronym BODMAS when you create a formula, BODMAS = Brackets, Ordinals, Division, Multiplication, Addition, Subtraction - this is the order in which Excel works out a formula's operators;
It is also possible to put parentheses within parentheses. When parentheses are nested the ones on the inside are evaluated first.
When you enter parentheses you will notice that Excel tries to help you by making the matching parentheses bold as you pass over it with the mouse.
Your parentheses must balance. For every open parentheses there must be a corresponding close parentheses. If you try to submit a formula which does not contain the same number of open and close parentheses, Excel will prompt you and tell you that the formula you have entered is incorrect.
I hope that helps, if so please click the Resolved link, regards Pete.