SUM Function in Excel with Example

SUM ()

This function used to create a total from a list of numbers. 

Best view in desktop mode.

	A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H
1	Horizontal
2	100	200	300	600	=SUM(A2:C2)
3
4	Vertical
5	100
6	200
7	300
8	600	=SUM(A5:A7)
9
10	Single Cells
11	100		300	600	=SUM(A11,B12,C11)
12		200
13
14	Multiple Ranges
15	100		400
16	200		500
17	3000		600
18			4800	=SUM(A15:A17,C15:C17)
19
20	Functions
21	100		400
22	200		500
23	300		600
24			800	=SUM(AVERAGE(A21:A23),MAX(C21:C23))

It can be used either horizontally or vertically.

The numbers can be in single cells, ranges are from other functions.

Syntax

=SUM(Range1,Range2,Range3... through to Range30).

No special formatting is needed in this function.

For example

Many people use the =SUM() function incorrectly.

This example shows how the SUM has been combined with plus + symbols.

The formula is actually doing more work than needed.

It should have been entered as either =A2+A3+A4 or =SUM(A2:A4).

	A	B	C	D
1	Values
2	100
3	200
4	300
5	600	=SUM(A2+A3+A4)		Wrong!
6		=SUM(A2:A4)		Correct
7		=A2+A3+A4		Correct

AutoSum Shortcut Key

Instead of using the AutoSum button from the toolbar,

You can press Alt and = to achieve the same result.

Try it in Excel:

Move to a blank cell in the Total row (B6) or column (E2), then press Alt and =.

Or

Select a row, column or all cells and then press Alt and =.

	A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H
1		Jan	Feb	Mar	Total
2	North	10	50	90	150	ALT + =	Press ALT and = button
3	South	20	60	100	180
4	East	30	70	200	300
5	West	40	80	300	420
6	Total	100	260	690	1050
7		ALT + =	Press ALT and = button

 

AVERAGE in Excel

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SUMIF in Excel