The MOD function returns the rest of a division. This function is very useful for

• a logical test
• the conditional formatting
• data validation

Presentation of the MOD function

If you divide 12 by 3, the result is 4.

The result is a whole number, so the rest of the division is obviously 0. And this is what the function MOD returns

=MOD(12,3)    =>0

Now if we divide 12 by 5, the result of the division is not an integer.

The rest of the division, or the modulo, will give this result

=MOD(12,5)     =>2

Odd or even?

The function MOD is the most convenient way to find if a number is odd or even. The test to write is very simple.

Even number

=MOD(A2,2)=0

Odd number

=MOD(A2,2)<>0

And you can include this test in an IF function to display the result of your test

=IF(MOD(A2,2)=0,"Is even number", "Is odd number")

Other examples of use of the MOD function

You can also used the MOD function is these cases

• Test if the maturity of a contract is reached or not (divisor = 12)
• Quantity in a package (divisor depends of the number of items)

QUOTIENT function

If you want to return the opposite, the integer part of a division, in that case you have to use the QUOTIENT function.

=QUOTIENT(15,2)        =>7

In fact, it's exactly like doing the division inside a INT function

=INT(15/2)         =>7

GCD function

The GCD function returns the Greatest Common Divisor 🤨🤔🙄

This function returns the greatest value that divide 2 values. For example, if you have the value 120 and 48, the result is:

=GCD(120,48)       => 24

Because

• 24 * 2 = 48
• 24 * 5 = 120