In Microsoft Excel, a formula always starts with which symbol?

The correct answer is = (equals sign). In Microsoft Excel, every formula must begin with an equals sign. This fundamental rule signals to Excel that the cell contains a calculation to be performed, rather than just text or a number.

• + (plus sign) can be used within a formula for addition, but it cannot initiate a formula on its own.
• $ (dollar sign) is used for absolute cell referencing, fixing a row or column reference when copying formulas, but it doesn't start a formula.
• @ (at symbol) is not typically used to start a standard Excel formula; it's more common in some programming contexts or specific Excel functions like structured references in tables.