How to Use the SUM Function in Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Excel‘s SUM function is an essential tool for quickly adding up numbers across various cells or ranges. Study how this function works to calculate totals, whether for budget tracking, sales analysis, or any other numerical data compilation.
How to Use the SUM Function in Microsoft Excel
The SUM function in Microsoft Excel is a fundamental feature that facilitates the rapid calculation of totals across cells and ranges. This guide will lead you through the process of efficiently using the SUM function, boosting the productivity of your data management.
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Step 1. Select the Target Cell
Begin by clicking on the cell where you want the total sum to appear. This cell will display the result of the SUM function.
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Step 2. Enter the SUM Function
Type “=SUM(” into the selected cell to initiate the function. This signals Excel that you’re starting a formula to sum up values.
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Step 3. Specify the Cells to Sum
After “=SUM(,” indicate the cells or range you wish to add together. You can do this by typing the cell references manually (e.g., “A1:A10” for a vertical range, or “A1:D1” for a horizontal range), or by clicking and dragging over the cells in your worksheet.
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Step 4. Close the Function and Calculate
Finish the formula by typing a closing parenthesis “)” and press “Enter.” Excel will then calculate and display the total of the specified cells or range in your selected cell.
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Step 5. Adjusting the SUM Range (Optional)
If you need to adjust the cells included in your sum after entering the formula, simply click on the cell containing the SUM formula, and then edit the range directly in the formula bar.
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FAQs
Can the SUM function add up non-adjacent cells in Excel?
Yes, separate non-adjacent cells or ranges with commas within the SUM function.
Is it possible to use the SUM function across different sheets?
Yes. Specify the sheet name and cell range in the formula, like “SUM(Sheet2!A1:A10).”
Does the SUM function include cells with text in their total?
No, the SUM function only totals numerical values, ignoring text.
Can I sum only visible cells using the SUM function in Excel?
For visible cells only, use the “SUBTOTAL” function with the argument 109 instead of SUM.
What happens if there are errors in the cells I’m trying to sum?
The SUM function will return an error if any included cells contain errors.