In Excel: use =MOD(number, divisor) — it returns the remainder after division, so =MOD(17, 5) returns 2.
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Syntax
Arguments
| Argument | required / optional | Description |
|---|---|---|
number | required | The value to divide. |
divisor | required | What to divide by. Zero returns #DIV/0!. |
Related functions
Select the cell for the remainder and type =MOD(.
Select the total, type a comma, then enter the divisor.
Press Enter. Pair it with =INT(total/divisor) to get the whole-unit half of the same split.
For row banding, use it inside a conditional-formatting formula rule rather than in a cell.
What this does
MOD returns what is left after dividing. Two uses dominate in practice: extracting a remainder alongside INT (minutes left over after whole hours, items left over after full boxes), and testing for a repeating pattern. =MOD(ROW(), 2)=0 is true on every even row, which is the standard conditional-formatting rule for banding a table. Its result takes the sign of the divisor, not the dividend, which surprises people coming from other languages: =MOD(-1, 3) returns 2 in Excel. A divisor of zero returns #DIV/0!. Keep the inputs visible and clearly labelled and the whole thing stays auditable — anyone who opens the file later, including you, can see at a glance exactly what feeds the result and change one assumption without hunting through the formula. For “excel remainder function”, the reliable version is a short checking loop, not just the first command that appears to work. Run it on a deliberately small range first, watch how the affected formula change, and only then apply the same setup to the full sheet. When a formula is involved, keep the inputs labelled beside it, reference cells instead of typing values, and apply number formatting only after the result checks out. That is what makes a calculation you can defend to a CFO or an auditor useful in real work: repeatable, auditable, and not dependent on memory or luck.
A worked example
After =INT(197/60) gives 3 whole hours, =MOD(197, 60) returns the leftover 17 minutes. To shade every third row, apply a conditional-formatting rule of =MOD(ROW(),3)=0. To test whether a quantity divides evenly into cases of 12, =MOD(A2,12)=0 returns TRUE only when there is no partial case. MOD is the one function that answers both "what is left over" and "is this the nth item", which covers remainders, cycles and every alternating-format rule. Check the referenced cells, argument order and result type in your workbook. Start with the worked example before changing an input, then compare the changed result with the calculation you expected. An error value or a result of a different type is a reason to inspect the inputs and arguments.
In Google Sheets
Google Sheets support for this task has not been verified. Check the function, arguments and workflow in the target product before transferring the example. Matching formula notation does not establish identical behaviour. The aim was to get you unstuck fast and leave you a little more capable than a copy-paste would. The answer is at the top and the detail above shows why it holds — so the next time a colleague asks, you can answer without reaching for search. For “excel remainder function”, keep the input cells and the result visible while you check the formula in Excel. Follow the worked example and change one input at a time. The steps explain the workbook calculation; this page does not run a live calculator for that task.
Common mistakes
- Expecting a negative result from a negative dividend — MOD takes the sign of the divisor, so
=MOD(-1, 3)is 2, not -1. - A divisor of 0, which returns
#DIV/0!. - Using MOD for banded row colours on a real Excel Table, where the built-in banded-rows style already does it and survives sorting.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find the remainder of a division?
=MOD(A2, B2) returns what is left over. =QUOTIENT(A2, B2) returns the whole-number part of the same division.
How do I highlight every other row?
Add a conditional-formatting rule with the formula =MOD(ROW(),2)=0 and set a fill. On an Excel Table, prefer the built-in banded-row style.
Why is MOD(-1, 3) equal to 2?
Excel's MOD follows the divisor's sign, so the result is always between zero and the divisor. Many programming languages instead follow the dividend and would return -1.