How to use the Excel MOD function

Mod function is mathematical function under Math and Trigonometry category which is used to find the remainder number after dividing a dividend by any divisor number. We all know when we divide number 10 with 2 then we get 0 or nothing as remainder but when we do divide 10 by 3 then 1 is left this is called the remainder and this we get when we use Mod function and selecting both number and divisor in the syntax.

Syntax: =MOD (number, divisor)

The MOD function syntax has the following arguments:

• Number    Required. The number for which you want to find the remainder.

• Divisor    Required. The number by which you want to divide number. If the divisor is 0, then it will return the #DIV/0! error.

Example: Let’s look at some Excel MOD function examples and explore how to use the MOD function as a worksheet function in Microsoft Excel:

Syntax:  =MOD(A2,B2)

Result:

Based on the Excel spreadsheet above, the following MOD examples would return:

Note:

1. The result of the MOD function has the same sign as the divisor.
2. If the divisor is 0, MOD returns the #DIV/0! error because you cannot divide by zero.
3. If the number or divisor is a text value, an Excel Mod formula returns the #VALUE! error.

Practical examples

Specify a number in every Nth cell. Suppose we are preparing a list of expenses of every month as below data:

The insurance premium is paid in every 3 months gap. Here we will use MOD function to calculate the cell in every third row with the EMI value.

Syntax: =IF(MOD((ROW()-1),3)=0,559,””)

Result:

Here, the ROW function gives the row number and then we subtract 1. Now the MOD function checks the remainder when this value is divided by 3. For every 3^rd row, the value will be 0. In this case, IF function would return 267, else will return a blank.