Bruce,
enter the following formula in A1
=ROW()*COLUMN()
and copy this down to row 12 then copy that across to column L for 12x12
or if you want to show them a macro also
Sub MultTable()
'will make a multiplication table
noCols = InputBox("Number of columns", , 12)
noRows = InputBox("Number of Rows", , 12)
Dim ir As Long, ic As Long
For ir = 1 To noRows
For ic = 1 To noCols
Cells(ir, ic).Value = ir * ic
Next ic
Next ir
End Sub

Signature
Paul B
Always backup your data before trying something new
Please post any response to the newsgroups so others can benefit from it
Feedback on answers is always appreciated!
Using Excel 2002 & 2003
> I am trying to demonstrate the usefulness of Excel by showing my kids how it
> will calculate multiplication tables for them. Using numbers 1 to 12 (for
> example) across the x-axis and 1 to 12 across the y-axis would yield a
> product. Any assistance in using formulas?
Another way
=B$1*$A2
copy across and down
> I am trying to demonstrate the usefulness of Excel by showing my kids how it
> will calculate multiplication tables for them. Using numbers 1 to 12 (for
> example) across the x-axis and 1 to 12 across the y-axis would yield a
> product. Any assistance in using formulas?
JLatham - 17 Oct 2006 13:51 GMT
I think this way is probably better for the teaching part of his request.
While Paul's is a slick way of doing it for a 'general' case, it would not
show the students how Excel is taking values from different locations and
manipulating them to come up with useful information. Your method does - can
change a value in either the x or y axis and visually show the results of the
change.
> Another way
> =B$1*$A2
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> > example) across the x-axis and 1 to 12 across the y-axis would yield a
> > product. Any assistance in using formulas?