Forum Discussion
Excel incorrect formula evaluation
Calculating -(1-2)^2 which equals to -1 Wolfram Alpha correct answer: https://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=-%281-2%29%5E2 Google correct answer: https://www.google.com/search?q=-%281-2%29%5E2 Eve...
That is correct result. In data modeling (and Excel is data modeling tool) negation which looks like minus has higher priority compare to arithmetic operations
The order in which Excel performs operations in formulas (microsoft.com)
Thus for =-1^2 first negation is applied, after that exponent. Other words
=-1^2 => =(-1)^2 => 1
Same is for Google Sheets
That's differ from calculator result since in the latest there is no negation, only minus.
See also this thread Re: whats wrong with this formula? - Microsoft Tech Community