how to use autosum in excel

1

Decide what column of numbers or words you would like to add up
2

Select the cell where you'd like the answer to populate
3

Type the equals sign then SUM. Like this: =SUM
4

Type out the first cell reference, then a colon, then the last cell reference. Like this: =Sum(A2:A4).
5

Press enter. Excel will add up the numbers in cells A2 to A4

1
To add a complete column or row of numbers, use AutoSum. Click into the cell at the end of the list you want to add (below or next to the given numbers).
- In Windows, press Alt and = at the same time.
- On a Mac, press Command and Shift and T at the same time.
- Or on any computer, you can select the Autosum button from the Excel menu/ribbon.
2

Confirm that the highlighted cells are the ones you want to add up.
3

Press enter for the result.

1

Place your mouse pointer to the bottom right of the cell you just finished adding up, to add up multiple columns. The pointer will turn into a thick black cross.
2

Hold down your left mouse button. Keep it held down as you drag it across all of the cells you wish to add.
3

Move your mouse pointer over the last cell, then let go of the button. Excel will AutoFill the rest of the formulas for you!

Add New Question

Question

How can I create a source data using auto sum for the total?

The function =SUM(Column and row to start, Column and row to end) in the cell you wish. E.g., =SUM(B2:B7).
Question

How do I use the Sum function to add cells B5, B6, B9, B11?

=SUM(B5, B6, B9, B11).
Question

How do I add a cell to a sum formula?

You can use =SUM(A1, B1). If you already have the above, find the name of the cell, add a comma to the end, and type in the name. An alternative to these is to type "=SUM" and then click and drag the items you would like to be included. Don't forget the closing parenthesis!
Question

What is the formula to subtract a sum of cells from another cell?

=A1-SUM(A2:A10) This would work if the numbers you are trying to subtract are in cells A2 through A10 and the number you are subtracting from is in cell A1.
Question

How do I tell if autosum has been used in excel or if it was done cell by cell?

If autosum was used, changing one of the numbers in the column being added will automatically change the sum as well. Check by changing one of the numbers and seeing if the sum changes.
Question

How do I get averages in auto-sum?

In Excel 2010, in the Folmulas menu, click on the AutoSum symbol and select Average.
Question

The sum line and the top of my spreadsheet is missing, how do I get it back?

Use the Escape key. Close the program without saving the file, and restart. When you reopen the file, it should be there; otherwise, you will have to rewrite the sum line.
Question

How do I use the auto sum calculation in MS Excel?

Click into the cell end the of the cell that you want to add, and press alt and = (auto sum).

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Video

Once you start typing after the = sign, Excel will present you with a drop down list of available functions. Click once with the left mouse button, in this case, on SUM to highlight it.
Think of the colon as the word TO, for example, B4 TO B7

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About This Article

Article SummaryX

The easiest way to find the sum of a column or row of numbers is to use Excel's AutoSum feature. Start by clicking the first empty cell below your data if summing a column, or the first empty cell next to your data if summing a row. On the Home tab, click the AutoSum button on the toolbar. This displays the SUM formula in the cell and highlights the cells to be added. Press the Enter or Return key on your keyboard to see the sum of the selected cells. You can also use the SUM function in your own formulas to add values. Let's say you want to add the values of two cells in different columns, A2 and C5. First, click the cell where you'd like the sum to appear. Then, type an equals sign, followed by the word SUM. Immediately after, type a left parenthesis, and then the address of the first cell, A2. Next to that, type a comma, followed by the address of the other cell in your equation, C5. Type a right parenthesis immediately after that to end the formula, and then press the Enter or Return key to see the results. If you want to add more than two numbers, just type another comma after the last cell address, followed by the next cell to add. To get the sum of a range of cells, separate the cell addresses at the beginning and end of the range with a colon. You could also replace the comma with other operators, such as a forward-slash to divide, an asterisk to multiply, or a minus sign to subtract.

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