---
title: "CORREL function in Excel: syntax and examples | PracticeExcel"
description: "How to use CORREL in Excel and Google Sheets: measure how closely two columns of numbers move together."
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> Index of every page on this site: [llms.txt](https://practiceexcelonline.com/llms.txt)

# **The CORREL function**

Returns the correlation coefficient of two ranges, from -1 to 1. Close to 1 means the two rise together, close to -1 that one falls as the other rises, and close to 0 no straight-line link.

=

CORREL(

## **Syntax**

```
CORREL(array1, array2)
```

<dl><dt>**array1 **</dt>
<dd>The first range of numbers.</dd>
<dt>**array2 **</dt>
<dd>The second range, the same size as the first.</dd></dl>

## **Examples**

D1`=CORREL(<sup>1</sup>A2:A6,<sup>2</sup>B2:B6)`

|  | A | B | C | D |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Ad spend | Sales |  | **0.98644** |
| 2 | 10 | 120 |  | |
| 3 | 20 | 150 |  | |
| 4 | 30 | 200 |  | |
| 5 | 40 | 210 |  | |
| 6 | 50 | 260 |  | |

**In plain words:** How closely <sup>1</sup>the ad spend in A2:A6 and <sup>2</sup>the sales in B2:B6 move together.

## **Questions**

<details>

<summary>

### Does a high correlation mean one thing causes the other?

</summary>

No. CORREL only measures how closely two columns move together in a straight line. Both may be driven by something else, like the season.

</details>

## **Related functions**

- [**AVERAGE**](https://practiceexcelonline.com/functions/average)
- [**MEDIAN**](https://practiceexcelonline.com/functions/median)

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