Google Sheets POWER function
Raises a number to a power; the same as base^exponent. In Spanish Sheets it is called POTENCIA.
Syntax
English Sheets
=POWER(base, exponent)
Spanish Sheets (Mexico locale)
=POTENCIA(base, exponente)
Spanish Sheets (Spain, Latin America)
=POTENCIA(base; exponente)
| Argument | What it is |
|---|---|
| base | The number to raise. |
| exponent | The power. |
Example
POWER(base, exponent) is the same as base^exponent, and SQRT takes the square root. Use them for compound growth or Pythagoras.
=B1*POWER(1+B2,B3)
Common mistake
For compound growth, the rate goes in as 1+rate: POWER(1+B2,B3).
About Ads
This site uses Google AdSense to display ads. These ads help us keep WebHerramientas completely free. Ads are managed by Google and meet strict security and privacy standards.
Ads help us keep WebHerramientas free for everyone
Practice POWER
Type the formula in the sheet and check it instantly. Spanish or English function names both work. See all lessons
POWER and SQRT
POWER(base, exponent) is the same as base^exponent, and SQRT takes the square root. Use them for compound growth or Pythagoras.
In B4, calculate the population after the years in B3, growing at the rate in B2 each year.
| A | B | C | D | E | F | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Starting population | 25000 | Width (cm) | 88 | ||
| 2 | Annual growth | 3% | Height (cm) | 50 | ||
| 3 | Years | 10 | Diagonal (cm) | |||
| 4 | Final population | |||||
| 5 |
Tip: while typing, click a cell or drag across several to insert their reference.
Frequently asked questions
- What is POWER called in Spanish?
- In Spanish Google Sheets it is POTENCIA. The formula =B1*POWER(1+B2,B3) is written =B1*POTENCIA(1+B2;B3) (or with commas under a Mexico locale).
- Why does POWER use semicolons in some spreadsheets?
- It depends on each spreadsheet's locale, under File > Settings. Where the comma is the decimal mark (Spain, much of South America), arguments are separated by semicolons. Mexico and United States locales use commas.
- What is the most common POWER mistake?
- For compound growth, the rate goes in as 1+rate: POWER(1+B2,B3).